1896: First Water Polo game in Wien, Austria

The First Water Polo game in Austria at the Dianabad of Wien, in 1896, published in the newspaper “Illustrieerte Wiener Extrablatt" on March 14, 1896. The match was held between Team A and B; Team A: Christenheit, Fabesch, Fajmayer, Heidelberg, Karner, Kraus, Reinfeld. Team B: Anderle, Balzeweit, Oscar Fried, Paul Fried, Kestler, Lewin and Pogatschnik. Source: 125 Jahre Wasserball Österreich by Gerhard Kreil; courtesy of Takis Kalokerinos.

1984, Los Angeles: The silver team of USA.

The Team of USA that took silver medal at Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games in a picture published in LIFE magazine.Back Row L-R: Jon Svendsen, Peter Campbell, Chris Dorst, Craig Wilson, Andrew McDonald, John Siman, Steve Hammond Middle Row L-R: James Bergeson, Joe Vargas, Jody Campbell, Terry Schroeder. Front Row L-R: Tim Shaw, George Newland, Doug Burke, Kevin Robertson, Gary Figueroa. 
Source: courtesy of Craig Wilson

1928, Amsterdam: The team of Ireland

The team of Ireland that took part in Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games. Back Row L- R: Thomas “Hayes” Dockrell (Dublin University SC, Full-back), Lt. Joseph A. O’Connor (RCSI graduate, RAMC, Aldershot Command, Forward); Charles Fagan (Sandycove SC, Forward); Mr A.J. Cullen, President Irish Amateur Swimming Association. Front Row L- R: Norman F. Judd (Dublin SC, Full-back); Michael Anthony O’Connor* (Dublin SC, Captain, Brother of J.A. O’Connor, Half-back); Patrick “Paddy” McClure (Clonard SC, Belfast, Forward); Stanley “Stan” Moore (East End SC, Belfast, Goal).  Missing from the photograph are the two reserves James S. Brady (Sandycove SC, back) and Henry Graham Ellerker (Dublin University SC, forward).
Source: http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/, Player's identification by Mr. Cyril J Smyth (Fellow Emeritus Chairman DUCAC Sports Centre, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland)

1972: The team of Rari Nantes Sori

The team of Rari Nantes Sori, Italy in 1972: Lino Repetto (Coach), Sergio Cevasco, Nino Bisio, Paolo Colla, Roberto Castagnola, Enrico Gerbò, Giorgio Giancarli, Gualtiero Rappazzo, Beppe Basevi, Andrea Tiro, Maurizio Piaggio and Pino "Scandelin". 
Source: courtesy of Mr. Luigi Castagnola 

1908, London: The silver team of Belgium.

The team of Belgium, winner of silver medal at London 1908 Olympic Games. Back row L-R: Victor Boin, Albert Michant, Oscar Gregoire. Middle row L-R: Herman Meyboon, Fernand Feyaerts, C.Wirtz. Front: Joseph Pletinckx. 
Source: public domain 

1923: Water Polo in the United States

Beginning in 1890 softball water polo was played in the United States until 1935. The American softball style was developed to suit the small pools that were common then in the United States. There were few rules and any player within 4 yards of the goal could be tackled whether he had the ball or not. Goals were scored by touching goal boards 4 feet long by 1 foot high, at each end of the pool. This is the version of the sport that was played at the 1904 Olympic Games, in St. Louis and explains why only American teams were entered. Filmed at the New York Athletic Club and Boston Athletic Club.
Source: courtesy of Bruce Wigo; International Swimming Hall of Fame

1908: The Juniors team of Exeter SW

The Juniors team of Exeter Swimming Club winner of the Devon County Junior Championship in 1908. Back L-R: G.Davey, W.Spear, E.Davey, T.Williams. Middle L-R: P.Matthews, A.L.Matthews, G.Heath (Capt.), A.V.Call, L.Lewis (Hon.Sec) Fron L-R: F.Gamble, W.Bennelick. 
Source: Wester Times, February 14, 1908

1926: The team of Leamington SC

The Leamington Water Polo team in the Water prior to the game with Weston-super-Mare who won by 4 goals to 2. 
Source: Western Daily Press, Bristol; Julyt 16, 1926

1936: The winners of Mansfield SC

The team of Mansfield Swimming Club, Champion of the Nottingham and District League for 1936. Standing L-R: T.Bacon (Chairman), C.Ashton, E.Ackrill, C.Wood, H.Wilson (Hon. Sec), O.Hibbert. Seated L-R: G.Hittare, H. Baggaley, A. Allen, G.Butler, H.Hardy.
Source: The Nottingham Evening Post; Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1936

1934: The team of Dover Swimming Club

The Water Polo team of Dover Swimming Club which won the Burch Cup for matches played against the Folkestone Swimming Club in 1934. Back row: E.Harmer, G, Boulton, A.Bendy, H.Norris. Front row: T.Swindells, E.Hopkins, J.Weston. 
Source: The Dover express and East Kent News. Friday 28 December 1934

1925: The Champions of Weston-super-Mare

The team of Weston-super-Mare winner of the 1925 British Water Polo Championship. First from left the legendary Paul Radmilovic. 
Source: Western Daily Press, Tuesday 13 October 1925, page 8

1970: The National Juniors team of Italy

The Juniors National team of Italy that took part at the 1st European Juniors Championship (U20, palyers born 1950) in Rotterdam, Netherlands (6-11 July 1970). The Italian team ended at the 4th place after the team of USSR (1st), Spain (2nd) and West Germany (3rd). Standing L-R: Mario Majoni (Coach), Enzo D'Angelo, Stefano Di fiore, Ettore Chiosi, Paolo De Crescenzo, Claudio Tomasi, Massimo De Crescenzo, Gianni Lonzi (Ass. Coach). Squatting L-R:  Mario Scotti Galletta , Giorgio Calcagno, Carlo Massa, Edilio Solimei , Renato Gandolfi. Front: Sante Marsili  
Source: courtesy of Renato Gandolfi 

1955: Board game from Hungary

Hungarian board game of 1955 addressed to young kids with aim to promote the Sport of Water Polo. 
Source: private collection 

1964: The team of Illinois Athletic Club.

The team of Illinois Athletic Club in 1964. The team has been one of the 16 teams competing for the "honour of representing the United States in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. From L-R: Kastner, Kooistra, Borowski, Gocd, Akers, Walztcni, Spinger, Meyer, Sam Greller (coach), Spinger. 
Source: private collection 

1928, Amestrdam: The golden Germans

The team of Germany, Olympic winner in Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games. The team: E. Rademacher, O. Cordes, E. Benecke, F.Gunst, J. Rademacher, K. Bahre, M. Amann, J.Blank.
(Trade card issued 1928 by the company Franck and Sons, Germany). 
Source: private collection 

1926: The Champions of "Ethicos O.F. Piraeus"

The team of “Ethnicos Omilos Filathlon Piraios” winner of the 1926 Greek Championship, organized by SEGAS (The Greek Athletics Federation). The Greek swimming Federation has been established in 1927. Standing L-R: Perdikis, Leousis (mamager), Makris, Psillas, Droukis. Middle L-R: Kesses, Stefopoulos, Vlastos. Front: Dedes

Source: magazine “Athlitikos kosmos” , 1926

1926: The team of “Aris” of Thessaloniki

The team of “Aris” of Thessaloniki, winner of the Thessaloniki Championship in 1926. From L-R: M.Loukidis, Kaklikis, Klisien, Ilidiadis, Pararakis, K.Loukidis, Giannakou

Source: magazine “Athlitikos kosmos” of 19/9/1926

1926: The team of “Heracles” of Thessaloniki

The team of “Heracles” of Thessaloniki, Greece in 1926. From L-R: E. Stavridis, Karpetis, Sipsas, K.Stavridis, Kondozakis, Tzortzidis.

Source: magazine “Athlitikos kosmos” of 19/9/1926

1986: The team of CSKA Sofia.

The team of CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria in 1986. Standing L-R: Delcho Valkov, Rossen Tsanev, Lubo Bonev, Nikolay Raykov (coach), Asen Denchev, Andrey Sushkov, Vasil Nanov, Georgi Gospodinov; Sitting L-R: Dariy Danovski, Ivan Valkov, Yordan, Miroslav Toshev, Andrey Borisov Andreev, Momchil Nikolov. 
Source:  courtesy Lubo Bonev 

1985: The National team of Bulgaria

The National team of Bulgaria that took part at Sofia, Bulgaria 1985 European Championships. Standing L-R: Toma Tomov (coach), Delcho Valkov, Vasil Nanov, Andrey Sushkov, Assen Denchev, Georgi Angelov, Nikolay Dagorov, Georgi Gospodinov, Ivan Kovachev (coach); Sitting L-R: Rossen Tsanev, Lubo Bonev, Miroslav Toshev, Nikolay Raykov, Yavor Nestorov, Kostadin Daradanov. 
Source: courtesy Lubo Bonev 

1984: The National team of Bulgaria

The National team of Bulgaria at the 1984, Varna International Tournament. Standing L-R: Toma Tomov (coach), Delcho Valkov, Georgi Gospodinov, Asen Denchev, Andrey Sushkov, Vasil Nanov, Lubo Bonev, Rossen Tsanev; Seating L-R: Nilkolay Raykov, Miroslav Toshev, Ognyan Ninchov, Yavor Nestorov, Valentin Nikolov. 
Source: courtesy of Lubo Bonev 

1926: England vs. Ireland 9-3

Water Polo match between the teams of England and Ireland in 1926. The title of the clip reads: “International Water Polo. England appears after a lapse of twenty four years and defeat Ireland by 9 goals to 3".

Source: video only for preview, rights owned by British Pathé 

1900:The team of Cambridge University

The Water Polo and Swimming team of Cambridge University in 1900. Back row L-R: Ferrar, Hentinck, Girm, Dixon. Front row L-R: Thornton, Mathews, Basle, Powell, Cow.

Source: The illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News July 7, 1900

1900: The team of Oxford University

The Water Polo team of Oxford University in 1900. Back row: Hill, Nicolls, Deam. Fron t row L-R: Dowens, Wallace, Turnbull, Lloyd. 

Source: The illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News July 7, 1900

1959: The team of Illinois Athletic Club

The team of Illinois Athletic Club that took part at the Pan Am Water Polo competition in 1959.  Seated front row L-R:  Haberkman, Hughes, Good, Kastner. Standing rear L-R: Greller (Coach), Koblish, Connors, Kooistra S., Kooistra B., Hahn, Little (Mgr.).
Source: private collection 

1900: Ladies Water Polo match

Ladies Water Polo match at the Ravensbourne Swimming Festival. “First goal for Swansea”.

Source: October 6, 1900 - The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News

1948, London: Hungary vs Holland 4-4

Rare footage from the game of Hungary against Holland at London 1948 Olympic Games. The two team drew at the Empire pool of Wembley  with 4-4. Hungary won the silver medal (Gyorffy, Holop, Gyarmati, Szittya, Csuvic, Szivos, Lemhenyi) and Holland the bronze medal (Rohner, Koorevvar, Braasem, Stam, Ruimschotel, Van Feggelen, Smol)

Source: http://www.geschiedenis24.nl

1924, Paris: The final game France vs Belgium

Rare footage from the final game at Paris 1924 Olympic Games held at the “Stade Nautique des Tourelles”. France became Olympic Champion by winning 3-0 against the team of Belgium. The team of France: Albert Delborgies, Noël Delberghe, Robert Desmettre, Paul Dujardin, Albert Mayaud, Henri Padou, Georges Rigal, R. Bertrand, A. Fasani, Jean Lasquin, L. Perol. The team of Belgium: Gérard Blitz, Maurice Blitz, Joseph Cludts, Joseph de Combe, Pierre Dewin. Albert Durant, Georges Fleurix, Paul Gailly, Joseph Pletinckx, Jules Thiry, Jean-Pierre Vermetten. 

Source: Polygoon archive. 

1920, Antwerp: The "Hollandsche Dames Zwemclub"

Article by Tony Bijkerk about the Women’s Water Polo exhibition match held during the Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games, (cont.): I found another clue in the State-Archives in the form of newspaper clippings from the newspaper De Telegraaf, which stated: “Antwerp, 29 August, The last day: Next two ladies’ teams from Holland  played a demonstration match of water polo, which was very much to the liking of the public in attendance. In Belgium, women’s water polo is not played at all. The intention for this demonstration match was, to try to get women’s water polo on the program for the next Olympic Games. ” The teams were composed as follows: Team A: T. Nijland, Helweg, Wijninck, Van Laar, Maria M. Beisenherz, G. Klapwijk, Knuyt. Team B: C. van Stok, T. Nyland, Van Tol, Evelein, Duykers, Hoogakker, A. C. Bolten. The referee was Mr. Delahaye. The result of the match was a 2-2 tie.”

Source: Citius, Altius, Fortius, Vol 2(2), article by Tony Bijkerk. 

Picture:  http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/

1920, Antwerp: Women’s exhibition game

Article by Tony Bijkerk about the Women’s Water Polo exhibition match held during the Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games : At the first page of the Official Yearly Report from the Netherlands Swimming Association for the period 1920-21, it is noted:  “With great pleasure we may refer in this report, which has to be short even on this particular point, to the Water Polo demonstration match, played in the swimming week of the Olympic Games and which was initiated by the ‘Hollandsche Dames Zwemclub’ (‘Dutch Ladies’ Swimming Club’) and played by some 14-some ladies from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. We are quite certain, that this exhibition has shown a great propaganda for women water polo and we very much hope, that the International Olympic Committee will honor the request of the Netherlands Swimming Association to include women’s water polo in the future program of the Olympic Games.

Source: Citius, Altius, Fortius, Vol 2(2), article by Tony Bijkerk. 

Picture:  http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/

1939: “Horthy Cup” poster

A poster for the historical "Horthy Cup" - held at Doetinchem, Netherlands in 1939. The final standing: Hungary, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and France.

Source: http://collecties.gemeentearchief.rotterdam.nl/

1896: The National Water Polo team of Ireland

The National Water Polo team of Ireland in 1896. Back L-R: R.R.Faussett (Dublin), J.Cotter (Belfast), J.Carmichael (Belfast), G.Miller (Dublin). Front L-R: O.Conway, R.A.Andrews, Capt., (Dublin), J.Smyth (Belfast)

Source: The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic news, October 3, 1896

1971: The Champions of Olympiacos Piraeus

The team of Olympiacos Piraeus, winner of the Greek National Championship in 1971 coached by the legendary Ivo Trumbic, Olympic winner with the team of Yugoslavia at Mexico 1968 Olympics. Standing L-R: Palios, Palikaris, Trumbic, Theodorakakis (team Manager), Michalos, Polychronopoulos, Sarandis Sarandos. Kneeling L-R: Ioannidis, Elias Damaskos, Stathis Sarandos, Sardis, Venardos, Periklis Damaskos.

Source: Agenda 1994 , courtesy Nikos Charalambopoulos 

1982: The team of CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria.

The team of CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria in 1982. Standing L-R: Vasil Tomov, Matey Popov, Asen Denchev, Andrey Sushkov, Georgui Gospodinov, Georgui Angelov, Rossen Tsanev. Kneeling L-R: Lubo Bonev, Ivan Valkanov,  Nikolay Raykov, Anton Partalev. 
Source: courtesy of Lubo Bonev

1965, Budapest: The Hungarians celebrate “Trofeo Italia”

The legendry Hungarians György Kárpáti, Miklós Ambrus, Mihály Mayer and László Felkai celebrating with the prestigious  “Trofeo Italia” in Budapest in 1965. 

Source: courtesy of Tamás Ambrus

1965, Budapest: Hungary wins Trofeo Italia

The National team of Hungary winner of the International tournament “Trofeo Italia” held in 1965 in Budapest: Pócsik Dénes, Konrád Ferenc, Mayer Mihály, Dömötör Zoltán, Kárpáti György, Felkai lászló, Kanizsa Tivadar, Ambrus Miklós, Konrád János, András Dr Bodnár and Rusorán Péter.
Source: courtesy of Tamás Ambrus

1953: The Champions of Ethnicos Piraeus

The team of Ethnicos Piraeus winner of the 1953 Greek National Championship. Standing L-R: Chatzikyriakakis, Lekakis, Barbieri (Italian Referee), Kalfamanolis, Takousis. Kneeling L-R: Georgiadis, Garyfallos, Kourandis.

Source: Athlitiki Echo 22 September 1953

1952: The winners of Olympiacos Piraeus

The team of Olympiacos of Piraeus winner of the 1952 Greek National Championship. Standing L-R: Telionis, Monastiriotis, Alexiou, Asimakis. Front row L-R: Ondrias, Gerakarakis, Bistis.

Source: Athlitiki Echo, 24 September 1952

1951: The Champions of Olympiacos Piraeus

The team of Olympiacos Piraeus Champions of Greece in 1951. The team of Olympiacos coached by Christos Svolopoulos (standing, second from left): Papadopoulos, Gerakarakarakis, Teleionis, Monastiriotis, Maragoudakis, Provatopoulos, Ondrias.  

Source: Athlitiki Echo, Sept. 27^th 1951

1901: Water Polo match at the Bath Club, London

The Water Polo match was played at the Bath Club, Dover Street, on Friday June 21, 1901, and was attended by many old University athletes. The goalkeeping of Eberle (Oxford) was the feature of the evening. The match ended in a draw. Drawn by Feacy FS Spence.

Source: The SPHERE London June 29, 1901