1932, Los Angeles: The Golden Hungarians.

The team of Hungary gold winner in Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games. The team: Barta István, Bródy György, Halassy Olivér, Homonnai Márton, Ivády Sándor, Keserű Alajos, Keserű Ferenc, Németh János, Sárkány Miklós, Vértesy József

Source: http://www.nemzetisport.hu

1956, Melbourbe: The winners of Hungary.

The team of Hungary winner of gold medal in Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games. The team coached by Béla Rajki:  Bolvári Antal, Boros Ottó, Gyarmati Dezső, Hevesi István, Jeney László, Kanizsa Tivadar, Kárpáti György, Markovits Kálmán, Mayer Mihály, Szivós István, Zádor Ervin.

Source: http://orulunkvincent.blog.hu/2012/09/26/kemeny_evek_652

1936, Berlin: Water Polo action in the Olympic Pool

Action during Berlin 1936 Olympic Games in the full house competition pool.
Source: private collection 

1930: The team of Cercle Natation de Spa, Belgium

The team if Cercle Royal de Natation de Spa, Belgium in 1930

Source: private collection

1921: Match in the river Seine, Paris

Match in the river Seine organized by the Sporting Club Choisy-Le-Roi, Paris in 1921.

Source: personal collection

1963: Inland NU Pike Water Polo Club, USA.

The Inland Nu Pike Water Polo Club, All American USA Water Polo Champions in 1963. The team: Monte Nitzowski, Bob Horn, Ken Lindgren, Stan Sprague, Ken Smith, Paul Zack, Charles Mackh, Dave Ashleigh, Dave Coon, Bill Russell Chuck Bittick, Stan Cole, Russ Webb, Stan Sprague.
Source: courtesy of Graig Wilson 

1930: Water Polo for Ladies at Stoke Newington

"Water Polo for Ladies (1930)" Filmed at Stoke Newington, London. Mere man's one-time exclusive water sport is now being dived right into by the girls." Source: British Pathe

1951, Alexandria: The bronze team of Greece.

The National team of Greece at the 1st Mediterranean Games held in Alexandria, Egypt on 1951. The Greek won bronze medal following Spain (gold) and Egypt (silver)

Source: courtesy Ioannis Kourandis 

1953: The Champions of Ethnicos Piraeus, Greece

The team of Ethnicos Piraeus winner of the 1953 Greek National Championship. Chatzikyriakakis, Lekakis, Kalfamanolis, Takousis, Georgiadis, Garyfallos, Kourandis. Source: courtesy Ioannis Kourandis 

1920: Water Polo in the Berlin Deutsches Stadion

Water Polo game in the Deutsches Stadion in Berlin in 1920. The 100m length pool was adjacent to the Stadium built to host the 1916 Olympics (canceled due to World War I). It was demolished in 1934 and replaced by the 1936 Berlin Olympic Stadium. 

Source: private collection 

1964, Tokyo: The bronze team of USSR.

The team of Soviet Union, bronze winner in Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. Top row L-R: Eduard Egorov, Head coach, Andrei Yulevich Kistyakovsky, Leonid Osipov, Coach Evgeny Semenov, Nikolai Kuznetsov, President of the Water Polo Federation of the USSR Vitali Smirnov, Boris Popov, Vladimir Semenov; Bottom L-R: Boris Grishin, Igor Grabowski, Zenon Bortkiewicz, Vladimir Kuznetsov, Nikolai Kalashnikov, Victor Ageev, P. Ivanov (translator).

In Tokyo the two favorites were Hungary and Yugoslavia who had been first and second respectively in Helsinki (1952) and Melbourne (1956), and in Rome (1960) have been placed 3-4 behind Italy and the Soviet Union. Those same four teams went through the preliminary round in Tokyo by winning their groups. All four of the favorites also advanced through the semi-final groups, with Russia ranked first ahead of Italy in their group. In the other group Hungary and Yugoslavia won one match each, had one win carried over, and when they met, they tied 4-4, with Hungary winning the pool by goal differential. In the final round, Hungary and Yugoslavia would not meet their match score carrying over from the semi-finals. Hungary defeated Italy 3-1, and the Soviet Union 5-2, while Yugoslavia defeated the Soviets 2-0, and Italy 2-1. This gave Hungary the gold medal by goal differential in the final round, with Yugoslavia second and the Soviets winning bronze. These same four teams had finished 1-4 at the last three Olympic Games (1956-64).

Source: Russian Amateur Waterpolo League (www.facebook.com/ruswaterpolo)

1929: The team of Lerici Sport, Italy

The team of Lerici Sport, Italy in 1929. From L-R: Aste, Faridone, Monguidi, Tedeschi, Bibolini, Calloni, Bertella, Spagnol (President).

Source: Courtesy of Alessandro Manfredi

1955: The Champions of Rari Nantes Camogli

The team of Rari Nantes Camogli, Champion of Italy in 1953. The team coached by Cesare Rubini: Cavazzoni, Simeoni, Runbini, Cristiani I, Marciani, Peretti, Pittaluga, Christiani II,  Rapetti.

Source: JANTZEN Camogli 1914-1964

1963: The National teams of Israel and Greece

The National Teams of Israel and Greece at the Zappeion Pool of Athens in 1963. Standing L-R: Gabi Winkler, Itzhak Lerrer,  Dr. Micha Kanitz. Bottow row: Nr. 5  Yechiel (Pista) Mozes. Among the Greek players Yiannis Palios, Takis Kalomoiris, Takis Mathioudakis, Andreas Garyfallos, Manolis Patlakas, Petros Kalfamanolis, Nikos Molohas, Yiannis Thymaras.

Source: courtesy Yechiel (Pista) Mozes and Matan Schwartz

1963: The National team of Israel

The National Team of Israel prior to the friendly game against Greece in Athens in 1963. Standing L-R: Reuven Shefa, Benny Margalit, Yechiel (Pista) Mozes, Willy Rashunitz (Coach), Hagi agam, Yossi Peled, Dr. Micha Kanitz. Seating L-R: Robby Ladner, Miki Margalit, Gabi Winkler, Itzhak Lerrer

Source: courtesy Yechiel (Pista) Mozes and Matan Schwartz

1993: Full house at “Volksbad Limmer”, Hannover

A record number of 2,600 spectators watched the third and decisive final game of the 1993 German championships when the local heroes of Waspo Hannover-Linden gained a 5-3 victory against SSF Delphin Wuppertal. The match was played at Volksbad Limmer outdoor-pool, Waspo’s club ground since the 1920s. In the semi-finals Waspo had eliminated national series champions Spandau 04 in two games to stop the winning series of the Berlin club after 14 titles in a row since 1979. 1993 champion Waspo Hannover-Linden and the local rivals of Wasserfreunde 98 Hannover, eight-time German champion between 1921 and 1948, merged to the new club Waspo 98 Hannover in 2012.

Source: Wolfgang Philipps, Vergangenheit und Zukunft.100 Jahre Waspo Hannover-Linden, 1913 – 2013

1936, Berlin: The team of Uruguay.

The team of Uruguay that participated at Berlin 1936 Olympics Games: Enrique Pereira, Julio César Costemalle, Maximo García, Francisco Figueroa, Hugo García, Alberto Batignani, José Castro

Source: private collection

1937: The team of "VZG" Gent, Belgium

The team of Verbroedering Door Broederschap" Gent, Belgium renamed as "Vrije Zwemmers Gent" in 1937.

Source: http://www.lucmaes.net/vroeger.html

1924: The team of "VDB" Gent, Belgium

The team of “Verbroedering Door Broederschap" Gent, Belgium in 1924.

Source: http://www.lucmaes.net/vroeger.html

1906: "In the swimming Tank" Cover of magazin

"In the Swimming Tank" Cover of the Magazine Frank Merriwell's Pupils or The School for Athletic Development.

Source: http://waterpolointernational.org/items/show/3072, Standish, B. L. (1906) Frank Merriwell's Pupils or The School for Athletic Development. New Medal Library no. 611. Street & Smith, New York.

1933: The team of Ethnicos Piraeus, Greece

The team of Ethnicos Piraeus, Greece in 1933.
Source: courtesy of Takis Kalokairinos 

1956, Melbourne: The bronze team of USSR

The team of USSR, bronze winner at Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games: B. Goikman, M. Ryzhak, I. Chliapine, V. Prokopov, V. Agueev, V. Kourennoi, P. Breus, N. Cvakharia, P. Michvenieradze and B. Uzakov (coach). 
Source: private collection 

1909: The Junior Champions of Sussex

The team of Sussex, winner of the Juniors Championiship in England in 1909.
Source: private collection 

1914: The pioneers of R.N Camogli

The pioneers team of Rari Nates Camogli that played against “Ruentes di Rapallo” in August 1914 the first Water Polo game ever played in the gulf of Camogli, Italy.

Source: “Jantzen” Camogli 1914-1964

1946: The Champions of R.N Camogli

The team of Rari Nantes Camogli winner of the Italian Championship in 1946. The team: Scelti, Ghisoli, Caorsi, Cristiani, Baldini, Rapetti, Schiaffino, Bozzo. Coach: Carlo De Gregori

Source: “Jantzen” Camogli 1914-1964

1935: The winners of R.N Camogli

The team of Rari Nantes Camogli winner of the Italian Championship in 1935. The team: Soracco, Arienti, Schenone, Majoni, Baldini, Amoretti, Ognio, Pastore. Coach: Soracco

Source: “Jantzen” Camogli 1914-1964

1950's: Water Polo in the small gulf of Camogli.

Water polo match in the small gulf of Camogli, Italy in the 1950’s

Source: “Jantzen” Camogli 1914-1964

1913: Match between England and Wales

Engraving with a scene of the game of England vs Wales 8 goals to 1, in 1913.
Source: "The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News" of the 27th September 1913. 

1928, Amsterdam: The silver team of Hungary.

The team of Hungary, silver winner at Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games composed by: István Barta, Olivér Halassy, Márton Homonnai, Sándor Ivády, Alajos Keserű, Ferenc Keserű, József Vértesy 

Source: Richard Greiling AE – Ein Olympiade Sport bielder album 

1963, Naples: The silver Italian Team

The National team of Italy bronze winner at Naples 1963 Mediterranean Games with their Coach Bandy Zolyomy. 
Source: family archive of Fritz Denerlein

1959, Beirut: The silver Italian team

The National team of Italy silver winner at Beirut 1959 Mediterranean Games. 

Source: Fritz Denerlein family archives 

1965: Pro-Recco Champion of Europe

The team of "Pro-Recco" winner of its 6th Italian Championship and also winner of the European Cup for National Champions. "Pro Recco" in the final phase of the European competition held in Milan, Italy won against Partizan Belgrade 1-0, Dinamo Magdemburg 5-4 and C.S.K. Moscow 5-4. The team: Merello, Guidotti, Cevasco, Guerrini, Maraschi, Lavoratori,Pizzo, Mittini, Marchisio, Giraldi, Pizzorno.

1971: The Champions of Pro-Recco

The team of “Pro-Recco”, winner of the 1971 Italian Championship. 

Source: Private collection

1929: Water Polo match at Malta

Black & white Postcard with view of the Fleet Water Polo Final Match between H.M.S. "Huntley" & H.M.S. "London" at Malta on 27th August 1929. 

Source: Private collection 

1970: The Juniors of Italy in Belgrade.

The Juniors National team of Italy that took part at the 6 Nations International tournament held in Belgrade in 1971. The team: Riccardo Scognamiglio, Dario Leghissa, Antonio Parisi, Zappamiglio Carlo, Andrea Tiro, Pierattini, Calcagno Pietro Giorgio, Riccardo de Magistris, Emilo Crovetto and Nanni Moretti. 

Source: private collection

1934: The teams of C.N. Barcelona and Lisboa Benfica

The teams of Club Natacion Barcelona and Sport Lisboa e Benfica after ther friendly game in Lisbon, Poirtugal in 1934
Source: Noticias Ilustrado 1934

1964, Tokyo: The team of Romania

The team of Romania that took part at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Front L-R: Gruia Novac, Cornel Marculescu, Mircea Stefanescu, E. Muresan Odermath. Standing L-R: Stefan Kroner, Anatol Grintescu, B.Darozy( Head Coach) , Alex.Szabo, Josef Culineac, Aurel Zahan, Nico Firoiu. The team of Romania travel with 10 players duw to financial restrictions. Source: Courtesy of Muresan Odermath and Nico Firoiu.

1960, Rome: The team of Romania

The team of Romania 5^th at Rome 1960 Olympic Games. Standing L-R: Costandache, (President of Romanian Fedaration) Adalbert Balint (Coach), Gavril Blajec, Nico Firoiu, Mircea Stefanescu, Emil Muresan, Alexandru Badta, Anatol Grintescu. Kneeling L-R: Fery Simon, Aurel Zahan, Stefan Kroner, Alexanru Szabo (and the swimmer Alexandru Popescu)

Source: courtesy of Nico Firoiu 

1964: The Champions of VK Partizan, Belgrade

The team of VK Partizan, Belgrade winner of the 1^st European National Winners Championship in 1964. The team: Muscatirovic, Pericic, Bonacic, Cukvas, Sandic, Jankovic, Tedeski, Zivkovic, Sliljak, Manic, Colovic, Gridjic.

Source: archive of VK Partizan, courtesy of Kelvin Juba 

1978: The team of RN Bogliasco

The team of RN Bogliasco coached by Rosario Parmegianni in “serie A” in 1978. Standing L-R: Viacava, Mezzano, Montobbio, Gandolfi, Lanata, Bormida, Lanzoni. Squatting L-R: Pizzaia, Canossa, Re, Costa.

Source: courtesy of Paolo Lanata

1979: Balen – Fernandez – Gassmann

Alfren Balen, the legendary Coach of Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, Berlin  while coaching Armand Fernandez in 1979. Uwe Gassman attentively follows his mentor.

Source: private collection 

1977: The team of Spandau 04 Berlin.

The team of Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, Berlin in 1977. Standing L-R: Norbert Adler, Peter Röhle, Jürgen Malkowski, Günther Vogel, Alfred Balen. Seated L-R: Frank Otto, Sepp Roth, Horst Eberlein Killian.

Source: courtesy of Armand Fernandez 

1976: The team of Spandau 04 Berlin.

The team of Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, Berlin in 1976. Standing L-R: Günther Vogel, Frank Otto, Udo Marin, Peter Röhle, Horst Eberlein, Jürgen Malkowski, Sepp Roth, Killian, Seating L-R: , Hagen Stamm, Norbet Adler y Michael Loeck.

Source: courtesy of Armand Fernandez 

1975: The team of Spandau 04 Berlin.

The team of Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, Berlin in 1975. Standing L-R: Frank Otto, Thomas Loeb, Günther Vogel, Peter Röhle, Jurgen Malkoswski, Udo Marin, Uwe Gassmann. Seating L-R: Horst Eberlein, Norbert Adler, Sepp Roth and Michael Loeck.

Source: courtesy of Armand Fernandez 

1975: the team of Mexico coached by Kalman Markovits

The National team of Mexico coached by the legendary Hungarian Kalman Markovits in 1975. The team: Kalman Marcovits, Victor García, Hector Cadena, Arturo Valencia, Juan Alanis, Daniel Gómez, Juan García, Raúl Alanis, Javier Guerra, Jesús Sandoval, Armando Fernández, Pedro Gómez, Marco A. Jiménez, Alfredo Sauza, Maximiliano Aguilar, Ricardo Chapa, José A. Martínez and Rafael Azpeitia

Source: courtesy of Luis C. Aguirre 

1962, Leipzig: The winners of Hungary.

The team of Hungary winner at the European Championships held in Leipzig, East Germany from 18 to 25 August 1962. The team coached by Károly Laky:  Miklós Ambrus, András Bodnár, Ottó Boros, Zoltán Dömötör, László Felkai, Dezső Gyarmati, Tivadar Kanizsa, György Kárpáti, András Katona, János Konrád, Sándor Konrád, Kálmán Markovits, Mihály Mayer, Dénes Pócsik.

Source: private collection

1966: The team of Cuba, Central America Champion

The National team of Cuba, Central America Champion in 1966. Among the players the famous brothers Eugenio and Guillermo Martinez.

Source: private collection 

1970: The team of Como Nuoto, Italy

The team of Como Nuoto, Italy in 1970. Standing L-R: Uberto Bazzi, Mercuri, Cochi Feliziani, G.Faletti Squatting L-R: Pezzani, Badò, Chicco Feliziani, Porro Diego.

Source: Courtesy Ilaria Porro and Mario Corcione

1926: The Champions of Valletta United, Malta

The team of Valletta United Champion of Malta in 1926. Standing L-R: Carlmelo Caruan, Piju I-Pinzell, Pawlu Dowling, Charlie Nappa, Willie ta' Miles, Johnson (Official), Ruggier Vella, Xuereb. Seating L-R: Zeppi ta' Massa, reserve player, zarenna Mallia, Pawlina Goffret.
Source: Courtesy Joseph Angilery 

1927: Water Polo match in Lehrte, Germany

Water Polo match played in 1927 in Lehrte, a small industrial town and railway junction in North-Western Germany. The local swimming club, SV Lehrte, was founded in 1921 right after the end of World War I in the early days of the so-called “Weimar Republic”. The first venue of the Club was a pond with fixed sides. Water polo matches in Germany were mostly played on the occasion of Swimming Galas in those days. The goals used in Lehrte had no nets and were made of three wooden boards each; they were hanging in the air and kept in position by ropes.

Source: Wolfgang Philipps: Sonne – Wasser – Luft. 90 Jahre Schwimmsport in Lehrte und im Lehrter SV, 1921 – 2011, Lehrte 2011

1914: The team of California Polytechnic State University.

The team of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) winner of the Southern California Championship in 1914.

Source: private collection