The first World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 Open Championships begin in Dubrovnik on Monday, bringing the fast-paced format onto the international stage in the city’s Old Town Harbour.
The competition represents the latest attempt to develop a shorter and more accessible version of water polo, with World Aquatics hoping the format can help introduce the sport to new players and countries. Lithuania and Mongolia are among those making their first appearances on the World Aquatics world stage in Dubrovnik.
Matches are played in a considerably smaller 15m by 12m field of play. Each team has an eight-player roster, with four players in the water at a time — three field players and one goalkeeper. Flying substitutions are permitted, while goalkeepers can immediately restart play after a goal, creating a much quicker rhythm than traditional water polo.
Instead of a conventional four-quarter match, games are decided across sets. The first team to win three sets takes the match, while a 2-2 score after four sets sends the contest to a shootout.
The preliminary phase establishes an overall ranking before the competition moves into knockout and classification matches, meaning early results will directly influence each team’s route through the tournament.
While several countries have selected younger or less experienced squads, there are still plenty of established names in Dubrovnik. USA captain Max Irving is joined by Marko Vavic, while Japan’s Atsushi Arai will combine playing and coaching duties. Malta include Jake Tanti and Alec Fenech among their squad.
The format has roots in beach water polo, which previously featured at the inaugural FINA Beach Water Polo World Championships in Gwangju in 2019. Dubrovnik now provides a new international platform for the 4×4 version of the game.
Day 1 schedule
09:50 — USA vs NAB
10:40 — Japan vs Hong Kong China A
11:30 — Georgia vs Hong Kong China B
13:10 — Australia vs Malta
14:50 — Serbia vs Mongolia
16:30 — Spain vs Bulgaria
18:10 — Montenegro vs Lithuania
21:00 — Croatia vs Saudi Arabia
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