Water Polo match at the pool of "C.E. Mediterrani" (Sans, Galileo street) in 1946.Source: "Mes de mig segle; Historia del Club Esportiu Mediterrani; 1931-1987"
The team of "Club Esportiu Mediterrani" Champion of B' Catalan division in 1959. Standing L-R: Maria Castella (coach), Ramon Benito, Pere Suan, Joan Martin, Josep Escasany (coach). Seated L-R: Armand Casado, Jaume Beltran, Josep Lorenzo, Angel Parales.
The team of "C.E.Mediterrani" that took part at the Catalan Championship of 1951: Standing L-R: Josep Brasco, Joan Vidal, Paulino Martin, Josep M, Domenech, Armand Casado. Seated L-R: Angel Gomez, Josep Ballester, Josep Escasany.
Sandro Castellano, born 1925 in Suza, Torino Italy is a legendary personality of World Water Polo. Considered as the “Patriarch” of International Water Polo journalism, he had a long and successful carrier including his presence to “no more” and “no less” than 10 Olympic Games……Castellano at the age of five moved from Suza to Pegli, Liguria due to family reasons. At his youth he has been Water Polo player playing for “beach club” teams of Liguria, in amateur level. In 1938 he has been drafted along with his two best friends by “Andrea Doria”. Despite the fact that he was a good swimmer, he was the only one not selected because of his “short hands”…..His great passion for the Sport didn’t let him to go down. His strong will to remain in the field brought him to the world of Journalism. Sandro Castellano worked for various Newspapers such as “Gazzetta dello Sport”, “Tutto Sport”, “Stadio Bologna”, “Corriere dello Sport”, “la Stampa”, “Corriere della Serra”, “il Giorno”, “il Mattino di Napoli” etc. In early 70’s he has been one of the first journalist to work for the well know Italian magazine “Il mondo del Nuoto” and the the "International Swimming and Water Polo magazine". His international debut started back to 1952 at Helsinki, Olympics. He missed Melbourne 1956 but then he didn’t miss any Olympics from Rome 1960 up to Barcelona 1992. He covered 14 European and 7 World Championships ending his great International carrier at Barcelona 2003 World Championships. Sandro Castellano is now living in Pegli, still hunting news from around the World. We don’t know if he became rich spending his life writing stories about others; teams, players, coaches, referees or officials. One thing is sure. Sandro Castellano, despite his “short hands”.. showed a passion and dedication for this Sport, that should inspire next generations to do their best attempting to attract more and more people to the Water Polo family around the World.
The Greek National Water Polo team that took part at Ecuador, 1982 World Championships. Ranking: 1.USSR, 2.Hungary, 3.West Germany.
The "New York Athletic Club" team during their trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1982. Back row L-R: Lou Gioia, Jose Ferraioli, Charles Gulotta, Ray Judge, Chris Judge, Bill Harris. Front row L-R: Dan Solomon, Scott Schulte, Homer Lane, Joel Iannuzzi, Spyros Capralos, Jim Purcell, Tom Gleason and Russ Hertzberger.
The 1981 U.S.A Indoor National Champions of "New York Athletic Club". Back row L-R: Bill Harris, Russ Hertzderger, Peter Weyman, Spyros Capralos, Dan Solomon, Scott Schulte, Chris Judge, Joel Iannuzzi, Lou Gioia, Dennis Christy. Front row L-R: Jose Ferraioli, Homer Lane, Dan Jannuzzi.
The “Weston super Mare” ladies Water Polo team in 1913.
Romolo Parodi, born in Liguria, Italy in 1936 has been a great player and an exceptional coach. His sport carrier started at “Genoa Nuoto” with which he won the 1955 National Championship. He continued playing for “Rari Nantes Camogli” winning the 1957 Italian Championship. In late 50's Parodi has been among the players of the Italian National team and missed “at the last moment” the Rome, 1960 Olympics, not being selected by his future coach at Camogli in 1964, Bandy Zolyomy…
The team of “Rari Nantes Camogli” coached by the legendary Bandy Zolyomy in 1964. Among Zolyomy's players are the future coaches of the Italian National team and “C.C.Ortigia” respectively Gianni Lonzi and Romolo Parodi. Bandy Zolyomy coached Camogli until May 1965 and then he moved back to Spain.
The team of "C.C.Ortigia" that took part for the first time to the A' division of the Italian Championship in 1981. Standing L-R: Campagna, Cassia, Iuppa, Del Duca, Muti, Caldarella, Genovese (President).Second row L-R: Circo, Migliore, Albo (coach), Salonia, S.Di Caro. First row L-R: A.Benedetti, A.Vancheri and Mancuso.
The Juniors of "Circolo Canottieri Ortigia" in 1980. Within the team are two future Olympic Champions. Paolo Cardarella and Sandro Campana Olympic winners at Barcelona, 1992 Olympic Games. The team: Caldarella, Campagna, Caruso, Migliore, Russo, D.Benedetti, Salafia, Cascella, M.Vancheri, Lanco.
The team of "Circolo Canottieri Ortigia" in early 1960's. The team: C.Bonacic (coach), Norcia, Sciotto, Serra, Russo, Mirisola, Zimmitri, Rispoli, Lupo, Lo Bello Jr., Rizza and Mirabella. At the time the team was still participating at the C' Division of Italian Championship.
The pioneers team of "Circolo Canottieri Ortigia", Syracusa, Italy in 1951. (at the time the club was called "Aretusa"). The players: Genovese, Mirabella, Piazza, Bongiovanni, Formosa, Pulvirenti, Catena. Coach of the team is Concetto Lo Bello who late became a famous football referee and President of the Club from 1955 to 1976.
July 31st: Hungary beats Great Britain by 11 goals to 2 at the Empire Pool, Wembley, during London, 1948 Olympic Games.
A general view of the open air pool at Finchley during a match between Netherlands and Spain, at London, 1948 Olympics. Finchley Pool was chosen for the preliminary rounds of the Water Polo as it had the advantage of a sufficient area and depth to conform to FINA regulations. This picture shows clearly the way the Water Polo was played at the time. The couples are well spread apart into the field either defending or attacking only, without moving up and down.
The National Water Polo team of Greece that took part at London, 1948 Olympic Games. This has been the 3rd time that Greek Water Polo was competing at the Olympics. Standing L-R: Dimitrios Zografos (Aris Thessaloniki), Igor Pavlov-Melanofridis (Paleo Faliro), Panagiotis Chatzikyriakakis (Ethnicos Piraeus), Dick Brousalis (Paleo Faliro), Dimosthenis Stamboulis (N.C. Patras), Yiannis Papastephanou (N.C. Patras), Papadakis (Team Manager). Seated L-R: Takis Provatopoulos (Olympiacos Piraeus), Alekos Monastiriotis (Olympiacos Piraeus), Manolis Papadopoulos (Olympiacos Piraeus). Greece lost against France with 7-1 and Argentine 6-2.
Photo: Greece scoring their 2nd goal against the Argentine in the match at the Empire Pool Wembley, which they lost 6-2. (July 30th, 1948).
The official poster of London, 1948 Olympic Games. The hands of the famous "Big Ben" are pointing to 4 o'clock, the time at which the opening of the Games was planned- accompanied by the Olympic rings. In the foreground, there was the drawing of the statue of the "Discobolus" (classical icon of the discus thrower from Ancient Greece).
The team of "Athlitikos Syllogos Aris", Thessaloniki winner of his 4th Greek Championship in 1932. The team of "Ethnicos Piraeus" won the 1931 Championship. This has been the last title won by the team of Aris, since Olympiacos Piraeus won the 1933 and 1934 Championships and the team of "N.C. Patras all the titles from 1935 up to 1946 (No Championships were held from 1941 to 1944 due to World War II).
The team of "Athlitikos Syllogos Aris", Thessaloniki winner of the 3rd Greek Championship in 1930. The team won the 2nd Championship in 1929 as well. From L-R: Stelios Dimitriou, Dimitrios Sarris, Pavlos Zombos, Ioannis Varsamis, Fotis Zografos, Agisilaos Zografos, Efthymios Efthymiou.
The legendary Water Polo team of "Athlitikos Syllogos Aris", Thessaloniki winner of the 1st official Greek Championship in 1928. Standing up L-R: Ioannis Seletaris, Dimitris Sarris. Middle L-R: Kostas Petridis, Fotis Zografos, Kimon Giannakou, Nakas. Fronr row L-R: Yiannis Varsamis, Pavlos Zombos, Stelios Dimitriou and Ippokratis Zografos.
The Water Polo team of "Athlitikos Syllogos Aris", Thessaloniki, Greece winner of the Thessaloniki Championship 1927. The Greek Swimming Federation has been established in 1927 and the first official National Championship has been organized in 1928. Standing L-R: Kimon Giannakou, Loukidis, K.Petridis, unknown, unknown. Seating L-R: P.Petridis, Dimitris Hiliadis, D. Papakarakis. Missing from the picture: S.Dimitriou, M.Loukidis, E.Loukidis, S.Klisien, I.Steletaris.
The Greek delegation prior to the Opening ceremony of Antwerp, 1920 Olympic Games. The Greek Water Polo team participated for the 1st time to Olympics composed by: Pandelis Psychas, Andreas Assimakopoulos, Georgios Pylavakis, Constandinos Nikolaidis, Constandinos Nikolaidis, Michalis Tsamis, Aristidis Rousias, Savas Mavridis, Dionisios Vasilopoulos and Nikolaos Baltatzis-Mavrokordatos. Greece won against Italy with 6-1 and lost against USA with 7-0.
The pioneers Water Polo team of "Panellinios Gymnasticos Syllogos" in 1912. This early picture, that belongs to the Sports Museum of Athens Municipality, records probably the 1st ever Greek Water Polo team. Greece was present for the 1st time at the Olympics of Antwerp 1920 and then at Paris 1924. The Greek Swimming Federation has been established in 1927 and the 1st official National competition was held in 1928.
The team of "S.N.C. Chiviatvecchia" Vice Champion of the 1975 Italian Championship and 3rd at the European Competion of Cup winners. Standing L-R: Bertarelli, Coconi, Parisi, M.Simeoni, Del Duca, Piaggio, Biso. Seated: R.Simeoni, Pucci, Olimpieri, Fiorentini. Coach of the team: Roldano Simeoni.
The team of "Rari Nantes Bogliasco" winner of the Italian Championship of 1981. This has been the only Seniors National title won by Bogliasco. Within the team is the legendary Eraldo Pizzo at the age of 43.....The team: Gandolfi, Pizzo, Ragosa, Bormida, Di Fiore, Jervasutti, Costa, Roncan, Collina, Cochiere, Re and Migliorini. Coach of the team: Angelo "Vio" Marciani.
The Italian National team, coached by Gianni Lonzi, winner of the gold medal at Berlin 1978, World Championships. Ranking: 1. Italy, 2. Hungary, 3. Yugoslavia. The games of Italy: Australia 6-5, USSR 5-5, Canada 4-2, Romania 7-2, USA 4-4, Yugoslavia 6-5, USSR 5-4 and Yugoslavia 4-4. From L-R: De Magistris, Alberani, Simeoni, Barachini, Marsili, Fondelli, Ghibellini, Galli, Ragosa, Collinia, Scotti Galletta.