OLYMPIC HISTORY

Waterpolo and football were the first two team sports to be played at the Olympic Games, neither sport dating back to ancient times. They were introduced at the second modern Olympiad and have had a place at the Games ever since.

Early winners: the British water-polo team

Britain won four out of the first five titles but long ago slipped back into the second or third leagues in world terms. From 1932 until 1956, Hungary took four out of five titles and remains a medal-winning force alongside its arch-enemy Russia, Italy, Croatia (Yugoslavia as was) and Spain.

The most infamous of games was played between Hungary and Russia in 1956, less than three weeks after Soviet troops invaded Hungarian soil. The enemies played their semi-final in thunderous mood and fighting broke out so frequently that the match was called off before the end. Hungary were 4-0 ahead at that stage and were declared winners. Riot police were called in to ensure that the fighting did not spill out beyond the pool as the mood among the crowd of 5,500 got ever more hostile towards the Russians. The Hungarians went on to defeat Yugoslavia in the final and half of the winning delegation sought asylum and refused to return to Budapest.

Ervin Zardor, one of the Hungarian team, said after the match with Russia: "We felt we were playing not just for ourselves but for every Hungarian. This game was the only way we could fight back."

Hungary, with six titles, have been the most successful water polo nation at the Games, its dominance helping to ensure that Britain's early successes make it the second most-titled nation in a game in which it no longer makes the grade. Italy has three titles to its credit, while Spain is defending champion.

Women will make their Olympic debut in Sydney to bring the first significant change in the sport at the Games since 1900. The Netherlands, Australia, Russia and Italy are favourites to play for the title. the getting there could be quite spectacular; the women's game is no less brutal than the men's.