Canadian host is vying for final Olympic spot in 2012 Olympic Water Polo

MEN'S WATER POLO TEAMS TO BOOK LAST FOUR TICKETS TO LONDON

A tough competitive field awaits the 12 water polo teams for the Men's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament to be held at the Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton (Alberta, CAN) from April 1-8, 2012. Only the highest-ranked four teams will secure London berths to join the world’s best water polo squads in the fight for top honours in Olympic waters from July 29 to August 12 at the Water Polo Arena, a temporary venue located alongside the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park. The participating teams are divided in two groups, as follows:

Group A: FYR of Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania
Group B: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela

The eight-day competition programme includes preliminary rounds from April 1-5, the quarter final round on the 6th, semi final round on the 7th and final round scheduled for the 8th.

Among the heavy favourites to win in Edmonton are water polo powerhouses Greece, Montenegro and Spain. Montenegro won the FINA Water Polo World League in 2009 while closest challenger Spain captured gold at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, was twice World champion (1998 and 2001) and Greece finished fourth at their home Games in 2004.

Strong rivals that could create a surprise in Edmonton are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Romania, while teams that have recently appeared on the international water polo stage – Turkey, FYR of Macedonia and Venezuela – will also aim at Olympic target.

Those already having booked their London tickets are Australia, Croatia, Great Britain (as host), nine-time and reigning Olympic champion Hungary, current World champion Italy, Kazakhstan, World League and World Cup title holder Serbia and the United States.

Follow all results & reports on FINA.ORG