world league: Montenegro, serbia and hungary strengthen lead

With the European preliminaries well underway for the men's and women's FINA Water Polo World League, 2014 promises to be another exciting year for water polo!

The third round of the men's preliminaries was held on January 14, with the teams of Hungary, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro each claiming a win.

2013 World League winner Serbia defeated Russia in Kazan 12-8 and now tops Group A with 6 points, which also includes Romania.

Meanwhile in Sibenik, visiting Hungary stunned 2012 Olympic champion Croatia, winning by a fingernail in penalty shootouts (8-7). The reigning World champions currently lead Group B with 5 points, ahead of Greece and Croatia.

In Group C, Montenegro and Italy secured the 1-2 spots with 9 and 6 points, respectively. In Herceg Novi, World silver medallist Montenegro had a solid win over Germany (13-10) while 2012 Olympic silver medallist Italy eclipsed Slovakia in Bergamo, scoring 12-5.

The next round will take place on February 11 with Romania to face Russia in Bucarest, Greece to receive Hungary in Athens (tbc), Germany to meet Italy in Torino and Montenegro to play Slovakia in Novaky.

The FINA Men's Intercontinental Water Polo Tournament - the World League's preliminary tournament between teams from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania - will be organised in Shanghai (CHN) from May 26 to June 1, 2014.

Dubai (UAE) will host the Men's Super Final from June 16-21 featuring the eight best teams from the World League's preliminaries.

WOMEN'S WORLD LEAGUE

The European preliminaries for the women's competition resume next week, on January 21, with the third round of matches. Current World champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Spain will meet Great Britain in Barcelona while 2011 World champion Greece will pit their strength against World bronze medallist Hungary in Athens.

The Women's Intercontinental Tournament (Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania) will take place in the Los Angeles area (USA) from May 19 - 25, 2014. Beijing (CHN) will organise the women's Super Final from June 10-15, 2014.