Spain Tests Depth, USA Showcases Power in Women’s Water Polo Pre-Championship Series
Los Angeles County, CA – June 2025
In a display of elite international water polo, the Spanish Women’s National Team wrapped up a two-game exhibition series this week against the USA Women’s National Team at venues across Southern California. With both teams preparing for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July, the matchups—hosted at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine and Long Beach City College—offered a critical opportunity to test tactics, rotations, and team chemistry against top-tier competition.
Game one, held in Irvine, drew a lively crowd of spectators, including local youth athletes and former Olympians. The United States, entering the summer as the reigning world champion, delivered a commanding performance with a high-octane offense and suffocating defensive pressure. The American squad took an early lead and never looked back, holding off multiple Spanish counterattacks and capitalizing on their superior perimeter shooting. Spain, while trailing for most of the contest, showed resilience and strategic discipline, using the match to rotate in younger players and fine-tune their zone defense under real pressure.
Two days later, the teams met again in Long Beach for the second game, which proved to be a much tighter affair. Spain adjusted their approach, slowing down the tempo and focusing on drawn exclusions to create scoring opportunities. The match was more physical, with referees issuing several major fouls that tested each side’s depth and discipline. Late in the third quarter, Spain managed to tie the score, briefly shifting the momentum. However, Team USA’s bench depth and transitional speed allowed them to pull away in the final minutes to secure a narrow victory.
Throughout the week, both teams engaged in off-the-pool activities aimed at community building and youth engagement. Notably, Spanish players were seen signing autographs and taking pictures with local fans. Among them was 16 -year-old Maliah Jackson of Inglewood, pictured beaming alongside Spanish team members near Long Beach Airport following the final game. Her excitement captured the spirit of international camaraderie that defined the series.
Local social media lit up with highlights, praise for the high level of play, and appreciation for hosting such a globally competitive event in Southern California. Coaches and players from nearby water polo clubs attended both matches, citing the inspiration it brought to the next generation of athletes in the region. The hashtag #IrvineWaterPolo trended locally on match night, with fans and media outlets praising the venue’s organization and the festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
For both Spain and the United States, these exhibition matches served as a barometer for readiness ahead of July’s World Championships. USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian emphasized post-game that while results are important, “these games are about building toward Singapore, sharpening our edges.” Spain’s coaching staff echoed similar sentiments, noting that the matches revealed valuable insights into match tempo, player rotations, and shot selection.
As the countdown to Singapore 2025 begins, this Southern California showcase reaffirmed both nations’ reputations as global contenders and further fueled anticipation for the battles to come on the world stage.
These games ended with the first game resulting in a 9-8 win for the USA and the second game ending in a 7-5 loss for the USA.
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