After watching Canada defeat Hungary 4:0 and Australia come in with only 1 goal behind (2:1) in the match against Austria in the ladies division, I’d like to expand the Star Wars-reference. There are clear differences between the nations based on the background and culture of the game and it can be observed in the style they play.

If I’d have to draw the Empire, I’d say it’s something like this:
– The powerhouses of UWR, Germany and the Scandinavians, they play a physical game in tight pools, the German-style very much locks up the ball.
– Australia, Asia and Oceania, quite many countries coming from the world of underwater hockey, sometimes freediving.

 While the rebel scum would be:
– Russia. The heart of the Euroleague beats with Betta. 
– Colombia and the Americas. Colombia managed to export UWR the same way Hungary exports water polo. These countries play in the definitive fast and playful Colombian-style, using many tricks and passes to get beyond the defense of their opponents.  

Neutral territories like Takodana:
– 2nd generational European countries from Great Britain to Turkey are trying to catch up, doing decades’ work in years, often with quite a success. Some you see following the German-style, some seem more like the Colombians. Interesting enough, the style of the play tends to match the ways of UWR’s development in the country.