Dubrovnik, Croatia – August 31 – Staff USA participated within the inaugural video games of worldwide 4×4 water polo right now on the 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 Open Championships in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The USA Males misplaced the first-ever sport of 4×4 water polo towards Russia 3-2 earlier than the USA Ladies defeated Spain 3-0 later within the day. Stefan Vavic was the lads’s prime scorer with 4 targets and Chris Whitelegge logged three saves in web. Jenna Flynn led the way in which for the ladies with three targets whereas Lauren Steele was sensational within the cage with ten saves. The USA Males will face Lithuania tomorrow at 2:30am pt earlier than the USA Ladies play Turkey at 6:40am pt. The matches will stream reside on World Aquatics YouTube channel with reside stats accessible from Microplus Timing Companies.
On the lads’s aspect, within the first-ever sport of 4×4 water polo, Staff USA earned a penalty and Max Irving scored the primary aim of its form from 5 meters. Russia answered shortly as each squads realized the brand new fast-paced format with no pauses between targets. The Russians scored twice extra earlier than Stefan Vavic acquired one again for the Individuals. One other aim from Russia preceded one other aim from Stefan Vavic however then time ran out within the first set. Russia went forward 1-0 on the again of a 4-3 set victory.
Within the second set, Irving put away the opening aim on a person benefit. Russia leveled from 5 meters however then Marko Vavic acquired concerned with a robust aim from set. The Russians saved up with their second earlier than Irving gave the Individuals the lead again and Stefan Vavic confirmed the 4-2 set victory to tie the general rating 1-1.
Russia struck first within the third set with back-to-back targets. Then, Jake Howerton responded for Staff USA earlier than one other Russian rating. Stefan Vavic scored to chop the deficit in half however Russia had a solution. AJ Rossman and Marko Vavic leveled the rating with underneath one minute to play earlier than a penalty with eight seconds left let Marko Vavic convert the set-winner from 5 meters. The 5-4 third set scoreline left america forward 2-1 in units.
The Russians went forward to start the fourth set and finally went up 5 to increase the sport right into a penalty shootout with a 5-0 fourth set victory tying the sport at 2-2.
Stefan Vavic and Carson Kranz scored within the shootout nevertheless it was not sufficient to seize the first-ever sport of 4×4 water polo.
Staff USA went 2/3 on energy performs and three/3 on penalties earlier than the shootout whereas Russia went 2/3 on energy performs and 1/5 on penalties earlier than the shootout.
Scoring – Stats
USA 2 (3, 4, 5, 0, 2) S. Vavic 4, M. Irving 3, M. Vavic 3, J. Howerton 1, A. Rossman 1
RUS 3 (4, 2, 4, 5, 3) R. Usov 6, R. Shepelev 2, Ok. Sheikin 2, P. Fedotov 1, D. Pronin 1, S. Barabushka 1, I. Vasilev 1
Saves – USA – C. Whitelegge 3 – RUS – P. Fedotov 4
6×5 – USA – 2/3 – RUS – 2/3
Penalties – USA – 3/3 – RUS – 1/5
Within the girls’s bracket, Spain scored shortly earlier than Jewel Roemer scored the primary aim for the American girls from 5 meters. Spain answered again however Jordan Raney leveled the rating and Jenna Flynn scored late to safe the set 3-2 and take a 1-0 lead.
Ryann Neushul earned a penalty and transformed the prospect to open the second set. Rachel Fattal pushed the result in three with consecutive scores earlier than Jenna Flynn confirmed a 4-0 second set and 2-0 lead at halftime.
The beginning of the third set noticed Jenna Flynn rating first after which Fattal earned a penalty which Roemer transformed with ease. Spain was capable of rating as soon as extra however its remaining try and tie the sport was saved by Steele as america claimed the set 2-1 and the match 3-0.
Staff USA went 3/4 on energy performs and three/4 on penalties whereas Spain went 1/2 on energy performs and no penalties tried.
Scoring – Stats
USA 3 (3, 4, 2) J. Flynn 3, R. Fattal 2, J. Roemer 2, R. Neushul 1, J. Raney 1
ESP 0 (2, 0, 1) C. Penalver Granero 2, A. Munoz 1
Saves – USA – L. Steele 10 – ESP – M. Terre Marti 4
6×5 – USA – 3/4 – ESP – 1/2
Penalties – USA – 3/4 – ESP – 0/0
