A look at the three games played on Day 1 of the women's water polo competition at the Paris Olympics.

(This story will be updated throughout the day.)

RESULTS

The Netherlands jumped out to a 3-1 lead, and was up 4-2 at the end of the first quarter. But the team was never able to grow the lead to larger than two as the offense stalled in the second and third quarters. Hungary battled back, eventually tying the score at 6-6 at the end of the third. 

The two teams were tied again, 8-8, with three minutes remaining, and neither was able to find the back of the net for more than two minutes. Lola Moolhuijzen finally broke the tie and put the Netherlands on top with the game-winning goal with 40 seconds remaining. 

Hungary's final shot attempt with 11 seconds left hit the crossbar and bounced out as Netherlands held on for the win.

Bente Rogge gave the Netherlands its final goal as time expired, throwing it in from deep after Hungary pulled their keeper. 

Rogge led Netherlands with three goals. Simone van de Kraats added two. Keeper Laura Aaarts saved eight of Hungary's 16 shots.

Vanda Valyi led Hungary with three goals. Dorottya Szilagyi added two, and Alda Magyari had six saves in goal.

On Monday, July 29, Netherlands (1-0) will play China at 12:30 p.m. ET., and Hungary (0-1) will face Canada at 2:05 p.m. ET. 

Spain scored six goals in the first quarter and rolled from there to a big opening-game win over France.

RESULTS

The Spanish squad held France to just one goal in each of the second, third, and fourth quarters, while scoring three goals in each of the frames.

Elena Ruiz led Spain with four goals. Isabel Piralkova added three, and Pilar Penya and Beatriz Ortiz had two each.

“We were very aggressive from the very beginning and in defense we didn't let France take their chances," said Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet. "We started very well and managed to get a good lead in the first quarter and that was the key to us winning the game.

“It was a very exciting game with all the crowd and the special atmosphere inside the arena.”

France, which earned automatic berth into the Olympics as the host country, was playing its first Olympic water polo game.

A first quarter goal by Ema Vernoux was the first Olympic point for France in history.

"I was very excited about this game, and to score the first goal in the game, it was very impressive for me. I feel so many emotions," Vernoux said. “When I woke up this morning, I was very excited about our first game of the Olympics, and I was ready for the game. I was excited about it all through the day."

Despite the loss, the stadium with filled with local French fans.

“It was very impressive during the game. There were so many spectators there. It was very loud, and we were so happy to see so many of them," Vernoux said. “It was incredible, and I was very excited, so I hope we have the same support and the same kind of number of spectators for the next game.”

Spain (1-0) came into the Paris Games as the defending Tokyo silver medalists. 

Speaking of gold medal matches, the Spanish squad will play a rematch of the Tokyo finals when they next take on the U.S. on the second day of pool play on Monday, July 29. The game will begin at 9:35 a.m. ET.

“It's going to be a good game as they are a team we know really well," Espar said. "I think we have worked very well this summer, and we're ready to play against them... This tournament is going to be very close and there are a number of teams that could challenge them for the title, like us, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Australia, and Greece.”

France (0-1) will next take on Italy on Monday at 8 a.m. ET.

Australia opened its Olympics with a win, holding off a late China charge on the way to victory.

The Australian squad led 5-3 at the half. Neither team scored in the third, and both teams notched two goals each in the fourth.

Abby Andrews had three goals to lead Australia. Alice Williams added two, and Bronte Halligan and Zoe Arancini had one each.

Australia came into this year’s Olympics after earning a berth following a win in the 2023 Oceania Olympic Qualifier. 

The Aussies will next take a day off on Day 2 of competition, and return to the pool on Wednesday, July 31, to take on the Netherlands at 8 a.m. ET. 

China comes into Paris looking for the team’s first worldwide tournament podium since 2011. The Chinese team had its best world championships finish since 2015 this year when it came home 10th. 

They'll next face the Netherlands on Monday, July 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET.

RESULTS