MIAMI — The whistle sounded and the women’s water polo players for Team USA and Spain swam to the middle of the pool. The referee threw the ball into the water. The players converged. The sellout crowd at the Ransom Everglades Aquatic Center cheered.
Welcome to the swim-off, a barreling sprint that opens each water polo match.
In a rematch of the Tokyo Olympic gold-medal match, the U.S. won 9-7 over Spain in the first of five international friendly matches for the Americans in December. It was the U.S. team’s first competitive action since securing its place in the Paris 2024 Olympics when it won the Pan American Games gold medal over Canada on Nov. 4.
In Paris, the U.S. will attempt to continue its Olympic dominance. The Americans have won three straight gold medals and haven’t missed a podium since women’s water polo became an Olympic sport in 2000, also earning two silver medals and a bronze.
FINAL SCORE: USA beats Spain 9-7.
The Americans scored seven goals in the second half.
USA will face Spain in a rematch on Saturday.
Great atmosphere in Miami. #Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/pXeB70Cfh6
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) December 7, 2023
But this is a different Team USA. Several players will be Olympic rookies, mixed in with experienced veterans like…
