NETANYA, Israel, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first Israel International Water Polo Tournament will kick off Thursday in the Wingate Institute of Sport, close to Netanya.
The spokesman of Wingate Institute said that eight nations will compete in the four-day tournament, including European champion Serbia and Russia, which won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Israel has been grouped with Russia, Romania, and Australia in Group A, while Group B includes France, the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece.
All of the teams apart from the Israelis have competed in the Olympics.
Despite fielding the team with the least experience, Israel captain Amit Seker said he has high hopes for the Israel International Water Polo Tournament.
"Our biggest competition is Russia, within the teams that we are playing," Seker said.
The 30-year-old veteran of the Israel team believes the tournament will act as a significant boost for Israeli water polo.
"It will be great exposure for the public to water polo," Seker said.
Itzik Koren, president of the Israel Water Polo Association, added that Israel will progress and improve hugely by playing against these stronger teams.
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