FINA World Cup

FINA World Cup field announced

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Thursday 06 February 2014, 08:21

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Tim Hartog

http://www.waterpoloworld.com/News/tabid/169/ArticleId/6294/news.aspx

© waterpolophoto.com

FINA on Thursday announced the field of competitors for both the men's and women's World Cup tournament, to be played in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Kazan, Russia respectively. The men's field will include 2010 winners Serbia despite their 7th place finish on the 2013 World Championships. As defending European champions they still received an invitation from FINA. The Serbs again face a highly competitive group of contenders highlighted by London 2012 Olympic champions Croatia, 2013 world championship gold medallists Hungary and runners-up Montenegro, as well as Barcelona 2013 quarterfinalists Australia. From Africa the team of South Africa joins in while hosts Kazakhstan are sure of participation as well. Major team absent is 2011 world champion Italy who finished 4th at the latest World Championships in Barcelona. In the last edition of the World Cup, held every four years, Serbia topped Croatia 7-13 in the final for the gold medal while Spain won the bronze after beating USA 8-12 in Oradea, Romania. 

In the women's tournament, with just 7 participants in total, all top teams are present with title contenders, 2010 winners and reigning Olympic champions USA joined by the top 4 teams from the recent 2013 World Championships, Spain, Australia, Hungary and Russia while China represents Asia and the South African women do so for Africa. In the women's 2010 edition of the World Cup, held in Christchurch, New Zealand it was Team USA who defeated Australia 6-3 in the gold medal final while China took the bronze medal edging Russia 11-9.
The World Cup tournaments are interesting as they, together with the World League two top spots, hold the first available places (4) to qualify for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.


2014 FINA Men's World Cup
Almaty, Kazakhstan
19-24 August, 2014

Teams:
- Australia
- Croatia
- Hungary
- Kazakhstan
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- South Africa
- USA

2014 FINA Women's World Cup
Kazan, Russia

12-17 August, 2014

Teams:

- Australia
- China
- Hungary
- Russia
- Spain
- South Africa
- USA

Draws are to follow.