Summer Olympics Water Polo

Watched the Men's Water Polo finals last night between the USA and Hungary. Was interesting, as it was a live feed via the internet, so no commercials, and no inane talking heads mucking up the soundtrack. Of course, the night owl that's in me made it easier, as it came on just after midnight CA time and ran until about two am. I see by the local NBC station's broadcast schedule that the game's going to be on this afternoon, don't know if it's worth watching again, due to the outcome. (USA lost 14 - 10, but it was a GREAT match for the first 3 quarters!)

Anyway, the one thing I'd forgotten about water polo, especially at this level, is how incredibly FAST the game is played. And I remember my daughter making the same comment, after she and her cousin got to watch a Team USA game in person at the Atlanta Olympics back in 1996. It really does move quickly, and you have to pay very close attention just to keep your eye on the ball - and we're not even in the water! Even the camera crews had trouble at times keeping up.

It's really too bad that this sport doesn't get more media attention here in the States. It's a terrific team game, and once you understand it, incredibly exciting to watch - especially the battle for the "hole" position! (WP folk will understand that comment!) Gotta give NBC credit this year for at least having live feeds available of both the men's and women's games - usually all we get is a soundbite.

To think that water polo is the OLDEST team sport at the Olympics, and it still doesn't get any real respect or prime-time TV coverage - at least with the USA's drive-by media, that is.

Sad, really. . .