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

1947: The Champions of Olympiacos Piraeus

The team of Olympiacos Piraeus winner of the 1947 Greek National Championship. Olympiacos up to this moment had won the National titles of 1933, 1934 and 1936.

Source: Athlitiki Echo 21/8/1947

1948: The team of "G.S. Hiraklis", Thessalonikis.

The team of "Gymnasticos Syllogos Hiraklis", Thessalonikis, Greece, in 1948. Standing at the  left is Constandinos Karamanlis (captain). Among the players are Souranis, Nakopoulos, Cypriotis. Source: courtesy of Effie Zikouli; http://www.basketspake.com/

1908, London: The winning team of Great Britain.

The team of Great Britain winner at London 1908 Olympic Games. Along with the team, is standing in the middle, George W Hearn, President of the Amateur Swimming Association and first Honorary Secretary/Treasurer of FINA (founded on 19 Luly 1908 on the occasion of the London Olympics). The British players: George Cornet, Charles Forsyth, George Nevinson, Paul Radmilovic, Charles Smith, Tom Thould, George Wilkinson.

Source: courtesy of Mr. Mike G.Coles

1931, Paris: The National team of France

The National Water Polo team of France that took part at the 1931 European Championships held in Paris from 23–30 August.

Source: Bibliothèque Nationale de France http://www.bnf.fr/

1929: The team of “Les Mouettes” of Paris

The women’s Water Polo Team of Paris “Les Mouettes” (Paris Seagulls) prior to a match played against “London Ladies” on September 11^th 1929 at Croydon Baths (South London). Among the players of the team features, with the ball, Marie Braun (Netherlands), Olympic and European Swimming Champion in the 1920's.

Source: http://len.eu/ , (Photo: Swimming Times)

1952, Helsinki: Hungary vs. Yugoslavia 2-2

Rare footage from the game of Hungary vs. Yugoslavia (2-2) for the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games (31^st July 1952). Hungary: Róbert Antal, Antal Bolvári, Dezső Fábián, Dezső Gyarmati, István Hasznos, László Jeney, György Kárpáti, Dezső Lemhényi, Kálmán Markovits, Miklós Martin, Károly Szittya, István Szivós, György Vizvári. Yugoslavia: Juraj Amšel, Veljko Bakašun, Marko Brainović, Vladimir Ivković, Zdravko Ježić, Zdravko-Ćiro Kovačić, Ivo Kurtini, Lovro Radonjić , Dragoslav D. Šiljak, Ivo Štakula, Boško Vuksanović.

Source: ISHOF archives 

1931: The team of Galatasaray, Istanbul

The team of Galatasaray, Istanbul in 1931: Mehdi Agaoglu, Nevin Hassan, Kemal Özbek, Suat Erler, Ibrahim Göktalay, Bekir Macur, Orhan Saka
Source: courtesy of Murat Özüak

1974: The Junior team of Galatasaray

The Junior team of Galatasaray, Istanbul with coach Yilmaz Ozuak in 1974. 
Source: courtesy of Murat Özüak

1900: The National team of Ireland

The National team of Ireland that lost the match against the Welsh National team in 1900.

Source: Black and White Budget; Sept. 1, 1900

1900: The National team of Wales

The National team of Wales winner of the Ireland vs. Wales match in 1900.

Source: Black and White Budget; Sept. 1, 1900

1963: The winners of Brazil

The National Team of Brazil winner of gold medal at the pan-American Games in 1963. Standing L-R: Claudino Cayado de Castro (Coach), Paulo "Polé" Carotini, Flávio Ribeiro Rato, Luiz Daniel (goalkeeper), Ivo Carotini, Hugo Carotini (Team Manager) e Aladar Szabo. Kneeling L-R: Luis Eduardo "Liminha" Pinheiro Lima, Luiz Carlos "Caio" de Aguiar Valim, João Gonçalves, Marvio Kelly dos Santos and Ademar Grijó.

Source: courtesy of Mr. Lino Clodoaldo

1959: The National teams of Greece and Israel

The National teams of Greece and Israel, during a friendly game in August 1959. Among the Greek players: Bistis, Kourandis, Tinios, Markou, Molohas, Garyfallos, Patlakas. Standing at left as the match referee is the ex-President of the Greek Swimming Federation Lambros Constandopoulos.

Source: magazine Super Polo April 1994 

1982: The team of Canottieri Napoli

The team of Canottieri Napoli in 1982: Fritz Denneirlen (Coach), Enzo D'Angelo, Massimo De Crescenzo, Guido Baldazzi, Alessandro Avagnano, Mario Morelli, Maurizio De Gennaro, Raimondo Ascione, Carlo Siena, Lori Assanto, Maurizio Migliaccio, Ferdinando Napolitano, Mario Scotti Galletta.

Source: courtesy of Salvatore Napolitano 

1903: The Champions of Hyde Seals SC

The team of Hyde Seals Swimming Club, Champions of England in 1903. The team won also the Water Polo leagues at the Cheshire County and the League of Manchester and District.

Source: The Black and White Illustrated Budget; October 17^th, 1903

1986: The team of Patras Nautical Club

The team of Patras Nautical Club in 1986. Standing L-R: Anastasopoulos, Georgiou, Sarakinis,Kouretas,  Moiralis, Prapopoulos (President), Dendrinos, Kakoulidis. Squatting L-R: Rakitzis, Vasilopoulos, Tsoutsanis, Bloudros.

Source: Patras Nautical Club archives, courtesy Takis Kalokerinos