Three Ex-Cal Stars Help U.S. Take Bronze in Weird Water Polo World Cup Game

Three former Cal water polo stars helped Team USA capture a bronze medal in the 2023 Men’s Water Polo World Cup as the Americans captured a bizarre third-place game against Hungary that included an apparent loss by the U.S., a two-hour delay and an eventual victory for the USA.

Cal alumni Johnny Hooper and Luca Cupido combined for six goals over three matches in the event that took place over the weekend at USC, while Adrian Weinberg, Cal’s current goalkeeper, was masterful, averaging nine saves per game and coming up big in the bronze medal games.

In Sunday's wild bronze medal match against Hungary, Hooper and Cupido scored two goals apiece and Weinberg led the team in saves for the third straight game. But it appeared Team USA lost the match in a penalty shootout before an odd series of events took place causing the final 4:24 of the match to be replayed.

The Americans lodged an appeal that a Hungarian player had made an early re-entry. The appeal was successful, and after a delay of nearly two hours, the game was resumed at the 4:24 mark.

Weinberg made two critical saves late to help secure a 14-13 win. Weinberg also was outstanding in the 10-9 quarterfinal win over Serbia, holding Serbia without a goal in the final period when the Americans overcame a 9-6 deficit for a one-point victory.

Cover photo is by Catharyn Hayne

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