1988: The team of VK Partizan Belgrade.

The team of VK Partizan Belgrade in 1988. Standing L-R: Dusan Popovic, Goran Radjenovic, Zeljko Krivokapic-Baka, Igor Milanovic, Dragan Andric, Anto Vasovic, Aleksandar Sostar, Mirko Bradajic, Marinko Roje, Milan Radan Squatting L-R: Milan Tadic, Vitomir Padovan, Nikola Ribic, Darko Udovicic, Igor Gocanin, Pino Dragojevic, Dejan Udovicic.

1953: The team of ASPTT Constantine, Algeria.

The team of A.S.P.T.T. Constantine at the Championships of North Africa held on the  25^th and the 26^th July 1953 in the pool Gallia at Oran, Algeria. Standing from L-R: Djabri, Batino, Lefert, Guedj-Meyer Foughali, Tchanderli (Coach). Squatting from L-R: Max Fitoussi, Albert Fitoussi, Bachara and the swimmer Kahlouette.

Source: http://www.constantine-hier-aujourdhui.fr/

1922: The National team of Austria

The National team of Austria who played in Barcelona International tournament in 1922. From L-R: Mani, Vorel, Brociner, Raffoy, Doorak, Dr.Meisel, Dt. Otto Sherf 

Source: La Jornada Deportiva 13/10/1922

Paolo De Crescenzo (Naples, 1950 - June 2, 2017) was an Italian Water Polo player and Coach. Paolo grew up in Canottieri Napoli under the leadership of Friz Dennerlein. He started in the first team in 1965, beginning his militancy in that group that dominated Italy's water polo in the 70s winning 4 Italian Championships and the 1977 European Champions Cup. In 1983 he became Head Coach of Posillipo Napoli and immediately won the sympathy of the environment. The coaching carrier of De Crescenzo from that point had an exponential rise: 9 Italian Championships, 2 Italian Cups, 2 European Cups and above all 2 European Champion Cup as well one European Super cup made him one of the most titled coaches of the Italian and European Water Polo. In the 2003-05 season he also led the National team to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games before returning for another two years to his beloved Posillipo, then retiring in 2007. In the summer of 2013 he returned to lead the A1 team Acquachiara, Napoli to its first European Participation.

1984 Los Angeles: The winners of Yugoslavia

The team of Yugoslavia, gold winner in Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.  The team: Milorad Krivokapic, Deni Lusic, Zoran Petrovic, Bozo Vuletic, Veselin Djuho, Zoran Roje, Milivoj Bebic, Perica Bukic, Goran Sukno, Tomislav Paskvalin, Igor Milanovic, Dragan Andric, Andrija Popovic. Coach: Ratko Rudic

Source: magazine "Il mondo del Nuoto", 9 September 1984

1994: The team of University of California (UCLA)

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) team in 1994. Front row: Guy Baker (Head Coach), Tommy Wong, Adam Krikorian, Scott Turner, Mark Sutter, Matt Emerzian (Assist. Coach), Second row: Corbon Graham, Steve Haney, Dave Dowdwey, Jim Toring, Andreas Luba, Third row: Dan Reuter, Jeff Porter, Lutter Weidner, Zack Fisten, Milos Bozinovski. Fourth row: Kevin Kramer, Jake Jokota, Brandon Stont, Terry Baker, Eric Helfer. Back row: Matt Swanson, Jeremy Braxton-Brown, Randy Wright, Steve Covec.

1983: The winners of Spandau 04, Berlin

The team of Spandau 04 Berlin, coached by Alfred Ballen winner of the 1983 European Champions Cup.
The team: Peter Rohle, Thomas Loebb, Frank Otto, Volker Kude, Armando Fernandez, Michael Loeck, Frank Kison, Hans-Jorg Otte, Hagen Stamm, Roland Freund, Oliver Biegel, Dirk Schutze Source: il mondo del Nuoto 1982 

1982: Dynamo Alma-Ata finalist European Champions Cup

The team of Dynamo Alma-Ata finalist of the 1982 European Champions Cup. In the final games Dynamo Alma-Ata faced Spandau 04 (Won the first game in Almaty with 10-7 and lost the second game in Berlin with 10 to 6).

Source: Il mondo del Nuoto 1982

1981, Bucarest: Cuba winner of Univeristy Games

The National team of Cuba coached by Juan Almeneiro, winner at 1981 Univesrity Games held in Bucarest, Romania. Ranking: 1. Cuba, 2. USA, 3. Romania
Source: Il mondo del nuoto, 1982

1923: SC Portugal vs S.Alges e Dafundo at Lisboa Port

The teams of Sporting Club de Portugal and Sport Algès e Dafundo during their game in the Doca de Bélem at Lisboa port  in 1923
Source: llustração Portugueza 22 September 1923 

1923: The team of Sporting Club de Portugal

The team of Sporting Club de Portugal that played against Sport Algès e Dafundo in the Doca de Bélem at Lisboa port  in 1923

Source: llustração Portugueza 22 September 1923 

1923: The team of Sport Algès e Dafundo, Portugal

The team of Sport Algès e Dafundo that played against the Sporting Club de Portugal in the Doca de Bélem at Lisboa port  in 1923

Source: llustração Portugueza 22 September 1923 

1927: The team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Portugal

The team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica in 1927. Standing L-R: Silveira, Lopes, Dos Santos, Center: Da Silva Carvalho. Squatting L-R: Ramos, Lopes, D'Oliveira
Source: Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Boletim Oficial, March 1927

1916: The team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Portugal

The team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica in 1916. Standing L-R: Lima, Da Silva, Sobral, Almeida. Squatting L-R: Vinhas, Monteiro, Lima.

Source: Historia do Benfica (1904-1954)

1926: The team of Netherlands

The Dutch Water Polo team in 1926 against Germany. Standing L-R: Fr. Kuyper, A.H. van Senus, C.C. Leenheer, A.H. Goedings, H. Minnes. Squatting L-R: R.C. van Senus, A.C. Slop, P. v.d. Velden, Jr. J. Köhler.

Source: Veertig jaren waterpolo 1901-1941

1952, Helsinki: The National team of Portugal

The team of Portugal that took part at Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games composed by: Francisco Alves, Eduardo Barbeiro, Óscar Cabral, José Manuel Correia, Máximo Couto, João Franco do Vale, Rodrigo Basto Junior, Fernando Madeira, Armando Moutinho.

Source: http://museuvirtualdodesportoportugues.blogspot.it/

1938, London: Italy vs France 1-1

Italy Vs France (1-1) at the Empire Pool Wembley during the 1938 London, European Swimming Championships.

Source: AP archives 

1938, London: The team of France

The team of France at the Empire pool Wembley during London 1938 European Championships. France has been ranked in the seventh place. From Left to Right : Delporte, Van de Casteele, Emile Bermyn, Dewash, Padou, Diener, Desbonnet, Busch et Lefèvre. 

Source: Emile Bermyn family archives

1976, Montreal: The team of West Germany

The team of West Germany (FRG) 6th at Montreal 1976 Olympics: Roland Freund, Martin Jellinghaus, Gunter Kilian, Horst Kilian, Wolfgang Mechler, Werner Obschernikat, Peter Rohle, Hans Simon, Jurgen Stiefel, Ludger Weeke, Gunter Wolf.

Source: private collection

1961: The Champions of Madost Zagreb

The team of Mladost Zagreb winner of the 1961 Yugoslav Winter Championship: Žužej, Legradić, Janković, Ježić, Jeger, Žagar, Fulgozi, Šimenc, Bonačić, Verži, and Stipanić.

Source: public domain

1953 Frans Kuyper preparing the Dutch National team

The National team of Netherlands train under the command of Frans Kuyper, in the De Miranda pool of Amsterdam, preparing  for the 1953 Trofeo d'Italia to be held in Nijmegen.

Source: http://www.euscreen.eu/

1912: 1st Italian Championship in Santa Lucia, Napoli

The Italian men's Water Polo Championship in 1912 was the 1st official edition. The tournament was organized by the then Federazione Italiana Rari Nantes  and was disputed in Naples September 14, 1912, in the stretch of sea facing the harbor of Santa Lucia. The tournament was played by three teams Genoa, Rari Nantes Partenope and Società Podistica Lazio. The ligurian team won the first National Italian title.

Source: private collection 

1945: The team of S.S. Lazio Nuoto

The team of S.S. Lazio Nuoto, winner of the 1945 Italian Championship. It has been the first post-World War II Championship not recognized officially by the Italian Federation for technical reasons. Standing L-R: Ivo Bitetti, Gozzo, Catalani, Tamagnini, Aldo Ghira, Franco Baccini Squatting L-R: Camillo De Giovanni, Caselli, Gemignio Ognio.

Source: http://www.sslazionuoto.it/

Action at the Tokyo Metropolitan Indoor Swimming during the final game between Hungary (blue) and USSR (5-2) for Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games 

1935: Drawing by Jean Jacoby

Poster "Grande Fete Internationale de Natation" by Jean Jacoby (Luxembourg - Sport & Olympic artist) in 1935

1928: The USA team sailing aboard to Amsterdam

The USA Water Polo team sailing aboard with the SS President Roosevelt to take part in Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games. L-R. Schroth, Johnny Weissmuller (swimmer), Harrison, Farlay, Greller, Greenberg, Mitchell.
Source: private colection 

1966: The team of C.C. Ortigia Siracusa

The team of Circolo Canottieri Ortigia, Siracusa participating in serie C in 1966. From L-R: Huniadfy, Rosario Lo Bello, Roberto Cannizzo, Gianfranco Nasti, Garbato, Carlo Mirisola, Giacomo Rizza, Sasà Puglisi, Angelo Ignoti.

Source: amicisiracusaninelmondo.myblog.it/

1970 The Champions of Orvosegyetem SC

The team of Orvosegyetem Sports Club, Budapest Champions of Hungary in 1970. Among the players Istvan Szivos Jr and Istvan Szivos Sr as Technical Director.

Source: www.fortepan.hu

1970: The silver team of India

The National team of India silver medalist at  1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

India lost in the final against Japan with 4-2 Ranking Japan, India, Indonesia

The Indian team: Ashok Biswas, Tarun Goswami, Samir Kapadia, Bharat Merchant, Piyush Mitra, Abdul Mutlib, Pattabi Raman, Chandram Rana, Avinash Sarang, Deep Narayan Singh, Umad Singh

Source: courtesy of Saibal Kumar Shaw

The magnificent 1 + 12

Baron Pierre De Coubertin, father of modern Olympic Games, was saying that “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part”. Believing or not this famous quote we go back to see the Water Polo's “Magnificent 1 + 11” players who did, in fact, participate most times at the Olympics:

6 participations

Manuel Estiarte, Spain: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000

5 participations

Paul Radmilovic, Great Britain: 1908, 1912,1920, 1924, 1928 Dezso Gyarmati, Hungary: 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 Gianni De Magistris, Italy: 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984 George Mavrotas, Greece : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Jordi Sans, Spain : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Salvador Gomez, Spain : 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 Jesus Rolan, Spain: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004. Tibor Benedek, Hungary 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008. Tamas Kasas, Hungary 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, Giorgos Afroudakis (Greece) 1996, 2000,2004, 2008, 2012, Tony Azevedo (USA) 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and Stefano Tempesti ( Italy): 2000-2004-2008-2012-2016

1986: The team of ASD Torino 81 Pallanuoto

The team of ASD Torino 81 Pallanuoto promoted to Italian A1 Championship in 1986. Standing L-R: Russo, Barra, Macchia, Pernat, Carannante, Cavallo, Bodrone. Squatting L-R: Nettuno, Hinnek, Franci, Gilli, Costa, Gallino

Source: Mondo del Nuoto 1986 

1949: The team of Rari Nantes Bologna

The team of Rari Nantes Bologna in 1949. Standing L-R: Albahari, Rolfini, Casanova, Vigna Squatting L-R: Balboni, Codeca, Anfossi

Source: Mondo del Nuoto 1986 

1947: The team of Rari Nantes Bologna

The team of Rari Nantes Bologna in 1947. From L-R: Monari, Codeca, Anfossi, Casanova, Rolfini, Albahari

Source: Mondo del Nuoto 1986 

1948 London: Egypt Vs Great Britain at Finchley pool

Egypt, in white caps, attack Great Britain's goal during their first-round Olympic Games water-polo match, at Finchley open-air pool, London, July 30, 1948. Great Britain drew 1 all with the powerful Egyptian team.

Source: www.dailypress.com/(AP Photo)

1982 Guayaquil: The team of Yugoslavia

The team of Yugoslavia coached by Ivo Trumbic in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano 

1982 Guayaquil: The team of Netherlands

The team of Nederland coached by Dénes Pócsik in in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano 

1982 Guayaquil: The team of Italy

The team of Italy coaches by Gianni Lonzi in in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships. The team: Panerai, Misaggi, Pisano, Steardo, Fiorillo, Baldineti, Galli, Campagna, Fondelli, Ragosa, Del Gaudio, Postiglione, Gandolfi.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano 

1982, Guayaquil: The silver team of Hungary

The team of Hungary coached by Mayer Mihaly, silver winner in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships. From L-R Horkai, Kenez, Budavari, Varga J., Gerendas, Somossy, Sudar, Scmiedt, Kuncz, Kis I., Bors, Csapo, Cservenak.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano 

1982 Guayaquil: The bronze team of West Germany

The team of West Germany coaches by Niko Firoiu bronze winner in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships. The team:   Roehle, Stamm, Schroeder, Obschernikat, Obschernicat, Hoppe, Osselman, Weyer, Loebb, Blumlein, Otto, Freund , Kilian.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano 

1982, Guayaquil: The golden team of USSR

The team of USSR coached by Boris Popov, winner in Guayaquil 1982 World Championships. The team:  Eugeni Shraronov, Vladimir Akimov, Aleksei Vdovin, Nikolai Smirnov, Eugeni Grishin, Alexander Kleimenov, Alexander Kabanov, Erkin Shagaev, Hourlan Mendygaliev, Mikhail Ivanov, Georgy Mshvenieradze, Sergei Kotenko.

Source: Il mondo della Pallanuoto, August  1982 - Sandro Castellano