LAUSANNE, April 23, 2012 – Spain, Italy, Russia and Hungary are the four teams to earn their precious spot for the 2012 London Olympic Games following their classification at the Women’s Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament organised in Trieste (ITA) from April 15-22.

Hungary and the Netherlands finished on top of their respective group – A and B – following the Preliminary Round from April 15-19. In the all-important quarter finals, which decided the Olympic qualifiers, on April 20, Hungary crushed Kazakhstan 18-5, Russia had a close win over Canada (7-6), Spain defeated Greece 9-7 and the Netherlands were beaten by the home squad, Italy, in a tight 7-6.

The semi finals, on April 21, saw World number 1 Greece defeating the Kazakhs 21-9, the Olympic champion Dutch squad overtaking their Canadian opponent (16- 13), the Spaniards holding at bay close challenger Hungary (10-8) and the local team proving too strong for the Russians (14-13).

In the final showdown, on April 22, powerful Spain beat home Italy in a gruelling 9- 5, for a first-place finish in the tournament. The struggle for the minor medal played out between Hungary and Russia, with the latter eventually prevailing 18-13. The Netherlands ousted Greece (11-10) to take fifth in the competition while Canada concluded on a high note with a 17-2 victory over Kazakhstan, settling for seventh. Brazil closed the rankings in ninth position.

Spain, Italy, Russia and Hungary will join Great Britain, Australia, the United States and China in the fight for top honours at the Olympic Games Water Polo Tournament in London this summer.

The draw for the Olympic Tournament will be held on May 5, 2012 in London (GBR).

From FINA