# Water polo at the 1952 Summer Olympics

Final results for the water polo tournament at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

## Medal summary

| Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Hungary Róbert Antal Antal Bolvári Dezső Fábián Dezső Gyarmati István Hasznos László Jeney György Kárpáti Dezső Lemhényi Kálmán Markovits Miklós Martin Károly Szittya István Szivós György Vizvári | Yugoslavia Veljko Bakašun Marko Brainović Vladimir Ivković Zdravko Ježić Zdravko-Ćiro Kovačić Ivo Kurtini Lovro Radonjić Ivo Štakula Boško Vuksanović | Italy Gildo Arena Lucio Ceccarini Renato De Sanzuane Raffaello Gambino Salvatore Gionta Maurizio Mannelli Geminio Ognio Carlo Peretti Enzo Polito Cesare Rubini Renato Traiola |

## Team squads

For the team rosters see: Water polo at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's team squads.

## Participating nations

* Argentina (10)
* Australia (10)
* Austria (11)
* Belgium (10)
* Brazil (11)
* Egypt (10)
* Germany (9)
* Great Britain (9)
* Hungary (13)
* India (10)
* Italy (11)
* Mexico (6)
* Netherlands (7)
* Portugal (9)
* Romania (8)
* South Africa (8)
* Soviet Union (13)
* Spain (8)
* Sweden (8)
* United States (11)
* Yugoslavia (11)

## Results
### Eliminating rounds

In order to reduce the field from 21 teams to 16 for the round-robin pools, two eliminating rounds were used. The teams were drawn into 10 pairs, with one team (Argentina) drawing a bye through the eliminating rounds. The 10 winners of the first eliminating round advanced to the round robins, while the 10 losers were paired again for a second eliminating round. Again the winners advanced to the round robins; the 5 losers of this second eliminating round, however, were eliminated from competition.

#### First eliminating round

| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Hungary | 13–4 | Mexico | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Curren (USA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Curren (USA) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Egypt | 10–0 | Portugal | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Germany | 8–4 | Romania | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Belgium | 6–5 | South Africa | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Yugoslavia | 10–2 | Australia | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Italy | 16–1 | India | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsh (URS) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsh (URS) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Spain | 3–2 | Brazil | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: H. Getz (RSA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: H. Getz (RSA) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Great Britain | 4–3 | Austria | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Sweden | 5–1 | United States | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |||
| 25 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Netherlands | 3–2 | Soviet Union | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zukerman (SWE) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zukerman (SWE) |||

#### Second eliminating round

| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Austria | 6–0 | Australia | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: W. Baade (DEN) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: W. Baade (DEN) |||
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | Soviet Union | 12–0 | India | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |||
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 599 | South Africa | 4–0 | Mexico | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Polic (YUG) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Polic (YUG) |||
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Brazil | 6–2 | Portugal | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: R. Honikman (RSA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: R. Honikman (RSA) |||
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | United States | 6–3 | Romania | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: P. Barbieri (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: P. Barbieri (ITA) |||

### First round

The first round consisted of the remaining 16 teams divided into 4 pools of 4 teams each. Each pool played a round robin. For wins, 2 standings points were awarded; draws were worth 1 and losses 0. The top two teams in each pool advanced.

#### Group A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 8 | +9 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 4 | Semifinals |
| 3 | Great Britain | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 15 | −6 | 1 | |
| 4 | Austria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 15 | −10 | 1 | |
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Italy | 4–3 | Great Britain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Delahaye (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Delahaye (BEL) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Italy | 8–1 | Austria | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | United States | 8–3 | Great Britain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Great Britain | 3–3 | Austria | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsh (URS) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsh (URS) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Italy | 5–4 | United States | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |||
| 29 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | United States | 4–1 | Austria | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: W. Baade (DEN) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: W. Baade (DEN) |||

#### Group B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Hungary | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 4 | +19 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Soviet Union | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 4 | Semifinals |
| 3 | Egypt | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 14 | −7 | 2 | |
| 4 | Germany | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 20 | −15 | 0 | |
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Hungary | 9–0 | Egypt | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Egypt | 5–2 | Germany | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Hungary | 5–3 | Soviet Union | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Soviet Union | 3–2 | Egypt | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Hungary | 9–1 | Germany | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |||
| 29 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Soviet Union | 6–2 | Germany | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |||

#### Group C

The first match between the Netherlands and Yugoslavia was won by the Dutch, 3–2, but successfully protested by Yugoslavia on the grounds that the "referee in this match had shown incompetency." FINA invalidated the match and ordered a replay. Because the results of the match were not necessary to determine qualification for the semifinals (both teams would advance regardless), and because the two teams were drawn into the same semifinal group, the replay was not held until the semifinal round though Yugoslavia's 2–1 win ultimately counted in the standings for the first round group.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Yugoslavia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | +17 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 4 | Semifinals |
| 3 | Sweden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 18 | −9 | 2 | |
| 4 | Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 25 | −19 | 0 | |
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Netherlands | 9–3 | Argentina | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Dahmen (GER) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Dahmen (GER) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Yugoslavia | 9–1 | Argentina | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Netherlands | 7–1 | Sweden | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Sweden | 7–2 | Argentina | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott (GBR) |||
| 1 August 1952 | OR p. 604 | Netherlands | 1–2 | Yugoslavia | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |||
| 29 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Yugoslavia | 9–1 | Sweden | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |||

#### Group D

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Belgium | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Spain | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 4 | Semifinals |
| 3 | South Africa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 9 | +1 | 2 | |
| 4 | Brazil | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 18 | −11 | 0 | |
| 26 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Belgium | 5–4 | Spain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: B. Rajki (HUN) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Spain | 3–1 | South Africa | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: D. Grimaldi (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: D. Grimaldi (ITA) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 600 | Belgium | 3–1 | Brazil | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Spain | 6–4 | Brazil | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: Y. Ezzeldin (EGY) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: Y. Ezzeldin (EGY) |||
| 27 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | Belgium | 4–0 | South Africa | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |||
| 29 July 1952 | OR p. 603 | South Africa | 9–2 | Brazil | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Kitajef (URS) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Kitajef (URS) |||

### Semifinals

The 8 semifinalist teams were again divided into pools of 4 teams each. Each pool played a round robin, with the results of the first round games between teams from the same first round pool counting for the semifinals as well. For wins, 2 standings points were awarded; draws were worth 1 and losses 0. The top two teams in each pool advanced to the final; the bottom 2 teams moved to the 5th–8th place classification round.

#### Semifinal E

The results of the first round Italy–United States and Belgium–Spain matches counted for the semifinal pool.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 6 | Final |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 11 | +3 | 4 | Final |
| 3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 13 | −5 | 2 | Classification 5–8 |
| 4 | Spain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 13 | −4 | 0 | Classification 5–8 |
| 30 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | United States | 4–2 | Belgium | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: A. Weghofer (AUT) |||
| 30 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Italy | 2–1 | Spain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Polic (YUG) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Polic (YUG) |||
| 31 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Italy | 5–1 | Belgium | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsch (URS) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: V. Podjukivitsch (URS) |||
| 31 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | United States | 6–4 | Spain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Voogd (NED) |||

#### Semifinal F

The results of the first round match between Hungary and the Soviet Union were counted as part of the semifinal round robin. The first-round match between the Netherlands and Yugoslavia had been invalidated due to a successful protest. The replay of that match took place at the end of the semifinal pool and was effectively an elimination match: the winner would join Hungary in advancing to the final, with the loser moving to the classification round. The Netherlands would advance if the match were drawn. In the replay, Yugoslavia took a 2–1 decision to advance and eliminate the Netherlands.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Hungary | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 4 | Final |
| 2 | Yugoslavia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 | Final |
| 3 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 3 | Classification 5–8 |
| 4 | Soviet Union | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 1 | Classification 5–8 |
| 30 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Netherlands | 4–4 | Hungary | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |||
| 30 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Soviet Union | 3–3 | Yugoslavia | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |||
| 31 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Yugoslavia | 2–2 | Hungary | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |||
| 31 July 1952 | OR p. 604 | Netherlands | 4–2 | Soviet Union | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: D. Grimaldi (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: D. Grimaldi (ITA) |||

### Finals

The 4 finalists played one more round robin. For wins, 2 standings points were awarded; draws were worth 1 and losses 0. There was also a classification pool for the semifinal losers.

#### Final

The first round game between Italy and the United States and the semifinal match between Yugoslavia and Hungary counted for the final pool.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Hungary | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 5 |
| 2 | Yugoslavia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 5 |
| 3 | Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 14 | −6 | 2 |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 0 |
| 1 August 1952 | OR p. 604 | Hungary | 7–2 | Italy | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal |||
| 1 August 1952 | OR p. 604 | Yugoslavia | 4–2 | United States | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: J. Bauwens (BEL) |||
| 2 August 1952 | OR p. 605 | Yugoslavia | 3–1 | Italy | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: T. Batalle (ESP) |||
| 2 August 1952 | OR p. 605 | Hungary | 4–0 | United States | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: S. Zuckerman (SWE) |||

#### Classification round 5–8

The first round match between Belgium and Spain and the semifinal match between the Netherlands and the Soviet Union counted for the classification pool.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 5 | Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 6 |
| 6 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 12 | −1 | 3 |
| 7 | Soviet Union | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 3 |
| 8 | Spain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 16 | −8 | 0 |
| 1 August 1952 | OR p. 604 | Soviet Union | 4–3 | Spain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: E. J. Scott |||
| 1 August 1952 | OR p. 604 | Netherlands | 5–3 | Belgium | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |||
| 2 August 1952 | OR p. 605 | Netherlands | 7–1 | Spain | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: F. Roggione (ITA) |||
| 2 August 1952 | OR p. 605 | Belgium | 3–3 | Soviet Union | Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |
| Helsinki Swimming Stadium Referees: G. Rigal (FRA) |||

## Final standings

| Place | Nation |
| 1 | Hungary (HUN) |
| 2 | Yugoslavia (YUG) |
| 3 | Italy (ITA) |
| 4 | United States (USA) |
| 5 | Netherlands (NED) |
| 6 | Belgium (BEL) |
| 7 | Soviet Union (URS) |
| 8 | Spain (ESP) |
| 9 | Brazil (BRA) |
| 10 | Egypt (EGY) |
| 11 | Sweden (SWE) |
| 12 | Great Britain (GBR) |
| 13 | Austria (AUT) |
| 14 | South Africa (RSA) |
| 15 | Germany (GER) |
| 16 | Argentina (ARG) |
| 17 | Romania (ROU) |
| 18 | Mexico (MEX) |
| 19 | Australia (AUS) |
| 20 | Portugal (POR) |
| 21 | India (IND) |