31.08.2012

The draw for the 2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships to be held in Perth, Australia from December 1-9 has taken place, with both Australian teams receiving favourable draws.

The Australian Men’s Youth team is grouped alongside Croatia, New Zealand, Colombia, and South Africa in Pool B, while the Women’s Youth team will square off against Group A rivals Indonesia, Czech Republic and Uzebekistan.

The tournament, which will be held at the Challenge Stadium in Perth, is the first of its kind and will bring together the best boy’s and girl’s under 18 water polo teams from around the world.

In all, 20 nations will contest the men’s event with Australian head coach Chris Wybrow believing it will be a very tough competition.

“Overall we’re quite happy with our group,” Wybrow said. “We do have Croatia who is probably the number one seed and New Zealand will be pretty tough too, but we are confident of our chances.

“The trickiest stage will be our quarter-final cross-over. If we get through we’re likely to face either Italy or Serbia and they are two of the best teams in the world."

Girl’s coach Aleks Osadchuk was also happy with his team's opponents.

“It’s very interesting. On paper we have a very easy draw, but our cross-over group is quite difficult with Hungary, Italy and the USA all in Pool C,” Osadchuk said.

“We don’t get enough time to train and spend time together so those three round robin games maybe the perfect warm-up for the playoff stages.”

The selection process for our Australian teams will take place in the next few months. For more information click here

2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships

MEN – December 1-9, 2012 Challenge Stadium, Perth (AUS)

WOMEN – December 2-9, 2012 Challenge Stadium, Perth (AUS)