1906, Athens: The players from Sweden play in Piraeus

Unique document - The Swedish Water Polo players who played in the exhibition game at Middle Olympiad in Athens in 1906 with Piraeus in the background. Those are the first athletes ever who played Water Polo in Greece.

Source: http://arkivgavleborg.blogspot.gr/2012/07/os-i-athen-1906.html

1913: The Swedish Water Polo and Swimming team

The Swedish Water Polo and Swimming team in 1913. Standing L-R: Wilhem Andersson, Cletus Andersson, Max Gumpel, Erik Bergqvist, P.Hansson, Harald Julin, Robert Andersson, Erik Andersson, E.Nauman, G.Wennerstrom, Ad. Andersson.
Source: private collection 

1979: The team of P.K. Hellas Neptun, Sweden

The team of P.K.Hellas Neptun, Sweden in 1979: Standing L-R; Jonas Ljung, Peter Nyström, Lennart Larsson, Hans-Erik Karlsson, Christer Stenberg, Hans Lunden.

Squatting L-R; Kjell Karlsson, Donald Kraujalis, Arne Claesson (now Danner), Robert Eriksson och Robert Gerling.

Source: Official program International Tournament Neptunes W.P.C 1979

1912, Stockholm: The silver team of Sweden

The team of Sweden silver medallist in Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games. The team: Thorsten Kumfeldt (goal), Harald Julin and Max Gumpel (backs), Pontus Hanson (centre half-back), Wilhelm Andersson, Robert Andersson and Eric Bergqvist (forwards).Source: Den Femte Olympiaden, i Bild och Ord

1912, Stockholm: The Swimming Stadium in Djurgårdsbrunnsviken

General view of the Swimming Stadium and the spectator’s tribune in Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games. The Stadium, venue of Swimming, Water Polo and Diving competitions, was a temporary construction, fixed on the waters of Djurgårdsbrunnsviken, which offered the greatest advantages, as regards natural facilities for the building of stands along the shores. In addition, the waters offered a protection against currents. To note that none of the open air swimming baths of Stockholm could be used for the purpose, the largest not measuring more than 33,3 metres in length, while the International Rules for Swimming Competitions prescribe a minimum length of 100 metres for swimming races above 500 metres.
Source: Den Femte Olympiaden i Bild och Ord. – Official report Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games

1937: Finland vs Sweden in Helsinki

Presentation of the game of Finland against Sweden held in Helsinki in 1937 on the occasion of the 50 years jubilee of Helsinki Swimming Club.
Source: Helsingfors Simsallskap 1887-1947

1945: The team of SKK, Sweden

The team of Stockholms Kappsimningsklubbs (SKK), Champions of Sweden in 1945. From L-R: Lennart Andersson, Rolf Juhlin, Olle Westin, Nils Blomstervall, Gunnar Werner, Åke Julin och Gösta Karlsson.

Source: http://www.simforbundet.se/

1920, Antwerp: The bronze team of Sweden

The team of Sweden bronze medallist in Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games. The Swedish team won against Czechoslovakia with 12-0, against Brazil with 7-3, lost against Belgium with 5-3 and finally won against the US team with 5-2 and the Netherlands with 9-1. The team: Theodor Nauman, Pontus Hansson, Maz Gumpel, Torsten Kumfeldt, Wilhelm Andersson, Nils Backlund, Robert Andersson, Erik Andersson, Harald Julin, Eric Bergqvist.
Source: Olympiska Spelen Antwerpen by Erik Bergvall

1920 Antwerp: Belgium vs Sweden 5-3

Action during the seminal game between the teams of Belgium and Sweden in Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games.
Source: Olympiska Spelen Antwerpen by Erik Bergvall

1920 Antwerp: Belgium vs Sweden 5-3

Action during the seminal game between the teams of Belgium and Sweden in Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games.
Source: Olympiska Spelen Antwerpen by Erik Bergvall

Erik Bergvall (1880-1950)

Erik Gustaf Bergvall has been a Swedish Water Polo player who won the bronze medal at London 1908 Olympics. As a Water Polo referee, Bergvall officiated the final game at Stockholm 1912 Olympics between Great Britain and Austria and also several games at Antwerp 1920 Olympics. He has been among the founders of FINA “Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur” in 1908 and member of its board until 1928, the last four years as President. He was also among the founders of LEN "Ligue Europeenne de Natation"in 1927. Bergvall was also founder of the Swedish Swimming Association in 1904, its secretary in 1904-08 and Chairman in 1909-32.
Bergvall worked as a journalist, mainly at the sports paper Nordiskt Idrottslif and he was the editor, among several books, of the Stockholm 1912 official Olympic report. He introduced the “Begvall competition system” aiming to conduct competitions with a fairest way possible.

1929: Francis Keserü in action

Action during the game of Hungary against Sweden (7-0) at the Budapest International tournament, August 1929. The Hungarian Francis Keserü is ready to shoot against the Swedish cage.
Source: Le miroir des Sports; 20 August 1929

1929: Hungary vs Sweden in Budapest

Action during the game of Hungary against Sweden (7-0) at the Budapest International tournament, August 1929. Hungary was the winner of the tournament, followed by Belgium, Sweden, Germany, France and England.
Source: Le miroir des Sports; 20 August 1929

1920, Antwerp: Belgium vs Sweden 5-3

Action during the match of Belgium and Sweden for the semi-finals of Water Polo competition in Antwerp 1920 Olympics. Belgium won the game 5-3 and qualified for the grand final against the team of Great Britain.
Source: Le miroir des Sports; 2 September 1920

1927, Bologna: Arne Borg, the legend of Sweden

The legendary Swedish swimmer and Water polo player of the 20's, Arne Borg during the Bologna 1927 European Championships. At his left is the President of FINA M. Bergwall and at his right the Mayor of Bologna M. Arpinati. Borg won with the Water Polo team of Sweden the silver medal at the 1st European Championships in Budapest 1926.
Source: Le miroir des Sports 1927

1929: Hungary vs Sweden in Budapest

Action during the match of Hungary against Sweden (7-0) for the International Tournament held in Budapest in 1929. Hungary won the competition, winning against the teams of Germany, Belgium, Sweden, England, France.

Source: Match l' intran; August 2oth, 1929

1935: Official dinner Spain and Sweden

Picture of the official diner given for the delegations of the Spanish and Swedish Water Polo National teams following the International game of the two teams in 1935. With the two teams appear seated into the middle of the table the legendary President and founder of the Club Natacion Barcelona Bernat Picornell.
Source: magazine "Natacio" of CN Barcelona; 1982

1940: Water Polo action in Alingsas, Sweden

Image of a Water Polo match in Alingsas, Sweden in 1940.

1940: The players of Alingsas

Another picture of the team of Alingsas, Sweden in 1940.

1940: The team of Alingsas, Sweden

The team of Alingsas, Sweden in 1940 composed by: Tore Skotten, Sven Klang Nilsson, Tössberg, Lundgren, Axberg, GA Nilsson and Sven Olsson.
Alingsas is a city in Western Sweden.