Water polo, World Championships Doha 2024: U.S. women capture eighth world title, edging Hungary in closely fought final
The three-time reigning Olympic champions have captured their first world title since 2022, holding off runner-up Hungary 8-7 as a flurry of goals were scored in the fourth quarter. Spain edged Greece for bronze.
Team USA are world champions once again in women's water polo.
The American women captured an eighth world title on Friday (16 February) at the 2024 Doha World Aquatics Championships, edging out Hungary 8-7 in a game that featured five goals in the fourth quarter.
It's a first world title for the U.S. since 2022, when they also beat Hungary. Team USA are the three-time and reigning Olympic champions.
The U.S. adds to world title wins in 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022. They finished fifth at Worlds a year ago.
In the bronze medal match, Spain edged Greece, 10-9.
The final was tied at 5-5 heading into the fourth quarter, but the U.S. earned an 8-5 edge thanks to goals from Rachel Fattal, Maggie Steffens and Ryann Neushul to lead with 3:47 remaining.
Hungary would come back to pull within 8-7 with goals from Rita Keszthelyi and Krisztina Garda, but couldn't capitalise on the final possession of the game, being stopped by American goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson.
The event is a Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier. The USA team had already qualified via the Pan American Games.
South Africa had earned a quota spot as Africa's sole representatives in Doha, but opted not to take their place in Paris. That means Canada - as the best team in eighth place without a quota berth - were in the 10-team draw made on Saturday.
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
Related content