Australian Team Profile
The Australian women's water polo team will head into the Beijing Olympics as one of the favourites to take out the title having won the inaugural event in Sydney in 2000 and finished fourth in Athens in 2004.
With no survivors of the 2000 team, this year's has eight debutants, while Nikita Cuffe, Rebecca and Melissa Ribbon, Kate Gynther and Emma Knox are all competing in their second Olympics.
Eight teams will compete in two groups in the women's event, with Australia drawn alongside Greece, Hungary and Netherlands. While it seems like a tough draw with Athens silver medallists Greece and powerhouse Hungary, the other group contains 2004 gold medal winners Italy, as well as USA, Russia and China. As long as the Aussies finish third or better they will advance to the quarter-final stage where they would fancy their chances of reaching the medal matches.
The men's team, which has a best finish at an Olympics of fifth in 1984 and 1992 and finished eighth in 2000 and ninth four years later, is a good mix of youth and experience.
Tim Neesham, Rafael Sterk, Thomas Whalan and Gavin Woods are all back for their third campaign, with Pietro Figlioli, Trent Franklin, Sam McGregor and James Stanton appearing for a second time and Jamie Beadsworth, Richie Campbell, Rhys Howden, Robert Maitland and Anthony Martin making their debuts.
Australia has been dealt a tough group, drawn alongside eight-time gold medalists Hungary, as well as strong nations Montenegro, Spain and Greece. Canada is the sixth country in the group and should provide no problems to the Aussies. A top-four finish will see Australia progress to the knockout stages. In the other group, Serbia, Germany and Italy should all progress, while China, Croatia and USA will be left to fight out fourth spot.
Previous Australian Medalists:
Gold:
Australian women (2000)
Men's Olympic Water Polo Team:
Jamie Beadsworth, Richie Campbell, Pietro Figlioli, Trent Franklin, Rhys Howden, Robert Maitland, Anthony Martin, Sam McGregor, Tim Neesham, James Stanton, Rafael Sterk, Thomas Whalan, Gavin Woods
Women's Olympic Water Polo Team:
Gemma Beadsworth, Nikita Cuffe, Suzie Fraser, Taniele Gofers, Kate Gynther, Amy Hetzel, Bronwen Knox, Emma Knox, Alicia McCormack, Rebecca Rippon, Melissa Rippon, Mia Santoromito, Jenna Santoromito