Water polo at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Olympic Aquatic Centre where women competed for only the second time in the event at the Summer Olympics.
Twelve teams battled it out for the gold medal in the men's event, where Russia was trying to avenge their defeat by Hungary at the Sydney Olympics. There were eight teams in the women's event where holders Australia were hoping to retain the title.
Men's teams
Group A: Croatia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro and United States.
Group B: Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain
Women's teams
Group A: Australia, Greece, Italy and Kazakhstan.
Group B: Canada, Hungary, Russia and United States.
Famous quotes containing the words water and/or summer:
“Eternal Venice sinking by degrees
Into the very water that she lights;”
—Edgar Bowers (b. 1924)
“Nature confounds her summer distinctions at this season. The heavens seem to be nearer the earth. The elements are less reserved and distinct. Water turns to ice, rain to snow. The day is but a Scandinavian night. The winter is an arctic summer.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)