On May 2007, “Water Polo Legends” started looking back, aiming to reveal the great History of our Sport. Today, “1.000 days” later, on the occasion of “3.000” posts, we would like to thank more than 180.000 visitors for their interest to share with us the passion for Water Polo.

1967: The Champions of C.N.Barcelona

The team of Club Natacion Barcelona Champions of Spain in 1967. Standing L-R: Borrell , Zubicoa , LLimós , Corell , Mas, Casas. Squatting L-R: Codera ,Ollé, Bestit, Escartín, Rubio.
Source: NATACION 1967

1970: The team of Sportiva Nervi

The team of Sportiva Nervi of Liguria - Italy, third at the 1970 Italian National Championship. Standing L-R: Galassi (official), Crabone (official), Ferrando, Szikora (coach), Amprimo, Boccardo, Soresina, Garau, Borgna (President). Squating L-R: Spinola, Gagliardi, Gandolfi, Crovetto, Storti, Parodi.
Source: NUOTO, 15 August 1970

1926: The Champions of Penguin S.C.

The team of Penguin Swimming Club, London winner of the 1926 English Championship. Source: http://www.londonpenguin.com/

1956: The team of Great Britain and N. Ireland

The team of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that took part at Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games. This was the last appearance of British Water Polo at the Olympics. The team: Arthur Grady, Gerald Worsell, John S. Jones, Peter Pass, Ron Turner, Terence Miller, Cliff Spooner, John Ferguson, Bob Knights.
Source: Friends of Water Polo: http://sites.google.com/site/friendsofwaterpolo/what-can-we-do-1

1936: The winners of Los Angeles Athletic Club

The team of Los Angeles Athletic Club by defeating New York Athletic Club with 3-1, won the US National Championship in 1936. The Los Angels team earned the right to represent USA at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games. Front row L-R: Clyde Swendsen (coach), Wally O’Connor, Philip Daubenspeck, Kenneth Beck, Frank C. Graham, Foster. Back row L-R: Ranger, Charles Finn, Charles McCallister, Strong, Herbert Wildman, Chewning. The US team in Berlin 1936, ibcluded seven players of LAAC (Wally O’Connor, Philip Daubenspeck, Kenneth Beck, Frank C. Graham, Charles Finn, Charles McCallister, Herbert Wildman) and four players from other Clubs (Dixon Fislke, Fred Lauer, Raymond Ruddy, William E.Kelly).
Source: private collection

1924: The Champions of Illinois AC

The Illinois Athletic Club team winner of the 1924 A.A.U. title against the Olympic Club of San Francisco. This team won 8 National Championships since 1914. From L-R: Fred Lauer, Johnny Weissmuller, Archie Wallen, Francis Mac Dermott, Oliver Horn, Buddy Wallen, Harry Hebner, Floyd Towne, Perry Mc Cillivray and the coach William Bachrach.
Source: private collection

1906: The team of HMS "Sandhurst"

The team of the HMS "Sandhurst", of the English Royal Navy, in 1906.
Source: personal collection

1981: The team of N.A.O. Kerkyra, Greece

The team of N.A.O.K. (Nautical and Athletic Club of Kerkyra island), Greece in 1981. Standing L-R: Karapanos, Loubos (Manager), Grekas, Tsiminos, Lidovois, Tarandos, Kyres, Yihalas, Zoupanos. Squatting L-R: Makris, Vergos, Diavatis, Katsaitis, Michas.
Source: courtesy of Socratis Politis and Spyros Tsiminos

1978: The team of N.A.O. Kerkyra, Greece

The team of N.A.O.K. (Nautical and Athletic Club of Kerkyra island), Greece in 1978. Back L-R: Karapanos, Karoubis, Tarandos, Tsiminos, Vrachliotis, Kyres, Yiohalas. Middle L-R: Michas, Makris, Zoupanos, Alifierakis, Vergos. Front L-R: Diavatis, Katsaitis, Karydis, Mavronas.
Source: courtesy of Socratis Politis and Spyros Tsiminos

1968: The team of N.A.O. Kerkyra, Greece

The team of N.A.O.K. (Nautical and Athletic Club of Kerkyra island), Greece in 1968. Standing L-R: Doukakis, Karapanos Yiannis, Boufesis Spyros, Grekas K, Kafarakis G, Trousas Spyros (manager), Tsiminos Spyros, Katsouris Makis, Sgouropoulos Spyros, Karoulis Alkis (coach). Squatting L-R: Mazarakis K, Zoupanos Spyros, Michas Spyros.
Source: courtesy of Socratis Politis and Spyros Tsiminos

1963: The team of N.A.O. Kerkyra, Greece

The team of N.A.O.K. (Nautical and Athletic Club of Kerkyra island), Greece in 1963. Standing L-R: Moumouris Andreas, Arvanitis Andreas, Protopsaltis Iakovos, Zobanakis Yiannis (coach), Niarchos, Trousas Spyros. Squatting L-R: Alamanos Andonis, Metalinos Aris, Kritikos Spyros. Kerkyra (Corfu) is the second largest island of the Ionian Sea.
Source: courtesy of Mr Socratis Politis and Spyros Tsiminos

1968: Mladost wins the European Championship

The team of Mladost Zagreb winner of the 1968 European Champions Cup: Stipanic, Jonke, Trumbic, Bonacic, Simenc, Poljak, Jeger, Zuzej. In the series of final games Mladost won in Zagreb against Dinamo Bucarest with 4-2 and tied 4-4 in Bucarest.
Source: magazine Natacion, November 1967

1970: The winners of Mladost Zagreb

The team of Mladost Zagreb winner of the 1970 European Champions Cup: Stipanic, Trumbic, Bonacic, Simenc, Lopatny, Matosic, Poljak, Jeger, Zuzej, Posojevic, Mikac, Hebel.
Source: magazine NUOTO, January 1970

1970: The European finalists of Pro Recco

The team of Pro Recco, Champions of Italy and finalists at the European Champions Cup in 1970. In the two final games, Pro Recco lost 5-3 against Mladost Zagreb (in Belgrade) and won in Genoa 3-2. The team : Solimei, E. Pizzo, Ghezzi, Marchisio, Alberani, Lavoratori, Ghibellini, Galbusera, Cevasco, Zecchin.
Source: magazine NUOTO, January 1970

1921: Water Polo in the port of Split

Water Polo match in the port of Split, Croatia on the occasion of presence of British Navy in 1921. Source: courtesy of Mr. Zoran Kacic

1952: The National team of Argentina

The National team of Argentina winner of the South-American Championship held in Lima, Peru in 1952. The Argentinean team, then, participated at the Helsinki 1952 Olympics. The team: Osvaldo Codaro, Luis Díez, Luis González, Rubén Maidana, Roberto Marino, Luis Normandin, Mario Sebastián, Ladislao Szabo, Carlos Visentín, Marcelo Visentín.
Source: “Mundo deportivo” Argentina; 27 March 1952

1952: The Champions of “Comunicaciones”

The team of Club Personal del Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Buenos Aires, Champion of Argentina in 1952. The team: Julio Irigoyen, J.Sanjurjo, Luis Gonzalez, E.Cevasco, E.Viva, Osvaldo Codaro.
Source: “Mundo deportivo” Argentina; 31 January 1952

1952: The team of Gymnasia y Esgrima

The team of Gymnasia y Esgrima, Buenos Aires, 3rd in the Championship of Argentina in 1952. The team: Luis Diez, Ladislao Szabo, F.Trimboli, Jose Farulla, Manuel Pegasano, O.Gimenez, E.Corsi.
Source: “Mundo deportivo” Argentina; 31 January 1952

1900, Paris: The golden “Osborn Swimming Club”

The team of “Osborn Swimming Club” of Manchester, gold winner at Paris, 1900 Olympic Games. The team: Arthur Robertson, Thomas Coe, Eric Robinson, Peter Kemp, George Wilkinson, John H. Derbyshire, William Lister.
Source: www.morethanthegames.co.uk/

1932: The team of University of Illinois

The team of University of Illinois in 1932. Front row: Feinberg, Brock, Pashby, Williamson, Hines. Back row: E.J.Manley (coach), Hanson, Sinnock, Monson, Aldrich, Fries.
Source: Intercollegiate Swimming guide; Spalding’s athletic Library 1933.

1932: The team of Stanford University

The team of Stanford University in 1932. Front row: Sprague (asst. Coach), Juda, McGovern, Clark, Booth, Clapp, Tebbets, Andersen, Kalenborn, McDowell. Back row: Brandsten (Coach), Throndson, Edwards, Harris, Linton, Woods, Knapp, Avery, Wiget, Murietta, Kinkead, Thornton (asst. Coach).
Source: Intercollegiate Swimming guide; Spalding’s athletic Library 1933.

1932: The freshmen team of Stanford University

The team of Stanford University (freshmen) in 1932. Front row: Sprague (asst. Coach), Raranik, Capera, Boothe, Benit, Friedman, Irvine. Back row: Brandsten (coach), Fry, Cook, Hirsh, Triolo, Nicholls, Thornton (asst. Coach).
Source: Intercollegiate Swimming guide; Spalding’s athletic Library 1933.

1932: The team of Northwestern University

The team of Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois, USA) in 1932. Front row: Rosen, Highland, Roberts, Boyer, Wilson, Wilcox, McManus. Back row: Debenham, Bernolfo, Tom Robinson (coach), Miller, Tracy, Buker.
Source: Intercollegiate Swimming guide; Spalding’s athletic Library 1933.

1964: The winners of Szolnoki Dózsa SC

The team of Szolnoki SC, winner of the Hungarian Championship in 1964. Standing L-R: Kuczora Gy., Pintér I., Szegedi K., Czapkó M. coach, Csontos G. intéző, Kanizsa T., Boros O., Kada I. Squatting: Koncz I., Katona G., Pintér II. I., Kuczora F., Urbán L.
Source: http://www.vizilabda-szolnok.hu/

1954: The Champions of Szolnoki Dózsa SC

The team of Szolnoki Dózsa SC, winner of the Hungarian Championship in 1954: Hasznos I., Kelemen, Pintér I., Földes, Hegmann, Csontos, Károlyi, Kanizsa, Boros, Hasznos II.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1950: The team, of Szolnoki Dózsa

The team of Szolnoki Dózsa S.C. in 1950. Standing L-R: Dr. Hasznos F., Boros O., Szabó J. Squatting L-R: Bükkösi L., Hegmann Gy., Szarvas A.
Source: http://www.vizilabda-szolnok.hu/

1933: The team of MAV Szolnok

The team of MAV Szolnok, Hungary in 1933.
Source: http://www.vizilabda-szolnok.hu/

1950’s: The legendary goalie László Jeney

The legendary goalie of Hungary László Jeney (May 30, 1923 – April 24, 2006) in action. Jeney competed at four Olympic Games: London 1948, Helsinki 1952, Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka;

1950: Humoristic drawing of Béla Szepes

Humoristic drawing of Béla Szepes: Martin, Gyarmati, Holop and Győrfi.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1950: Humoristic drawing of Béla Szepes

Humoristic drawing of the famous Hungarian artist Béla Szepes: Kislégi, Szittya, Vágó II., Lemhényi, Gyarmati.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1951: The cup winners of Budapesti Dózsa S.E.

The team Budapesti Dózsa S.E. (Újpesti TE – UTE) winner of the Hungarian Cup in 1951: Vízvári, Kislégi, Gyarmati, Kun, Martin, Splies, Lemhényi.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1951: The Champions of Budapesti Dózsa S.E.

The team of Budapesti Dózsa S.E. winner of the Hungarian Championship in 1951 (after 1956 the team has been renamed to Újpesti TE - UTE): Kislégi, Gyarmati, Kun, Sárkány, Taródi, Várkonyi, Boros, Vízvári, Splies, Martin, Lemhényi, Vágó.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1949: The National team of Hungary

The National team of Hungary in the end of 40’s: Győrfi, Szivós, Holop, Csuvik, Gyarmati, Brandi, Fábián, Szittya, Pók, Mezei, János Németh (coach) and Jenő Kolozs.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1947, Paris: Hungary wins the Universiade

The National team of Hungary winner of the University Games in Paris 1947: Szuhi, Gergely, Hámori, Gyarmati, Csuvik, Holop, Győrffy, Somóczy.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1936, Berlin: The magnificent players of Hungary

The magnificent players of Hungary, gold winners at Berlin 1936 Olympics: Németh, Sárkány, Hazai, Bródy, Halassy, Brandi, Bozsi.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló.

1936, Berlin: The golden Hungarians

The National team of Hungary, gold winner at Berlin 1936 Olympic Games. Standing L-R: Beleznay (coach), Homonnai, Halassy, Sárkány, János Németh, Bródy, Bozsi. Squatting L-R: Tarics, Brandi, Molnár, Piti Kiss.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1948: The National team of Hungary

Players of the National team of Hungary during a training in Tatatóváros in 1948, prior to London Olympics. From L-R: Holop, Győrffy, Fábián, Szittya, Mezei, Gyarmati, Csuvik
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló

1947: A Hungarian dry land training

The 1947 National team of Hungary during a dry land training:Győrffy, Kutasi, Sárosi I., Jenes, Szigeti, Kislégi, Sólyom, Holba.
Source: 'Aranykor' by Dezső Gyarmati and Gergely Csurka; courtesy of Mrs Zsófia Viló