Influence to take the first ball on the partial and final score during the 2006 male Water Polo European Championship

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence to take the first ball on the partial and final score in water polo. The 44 matches disputed by the 12 teams participant in the 2006 male Water Polo European Championship, celebrated in Belgrade in 2006, were recorded. In particular, the sample were 176 actions of beginning of every game period. The observational methodology was applied. Statistically significant relation was not obtained, between to take the first ball possession and the partial and final result (p > .05). The most of the teams that obtained the first ball possession enjoy a favourable partial result throughout the periods at issue. In addition, 61.5% and 72.2% of the teams that respectively obtained the ball possession in the first and last period reached a favourable result at the end of these periods. All the teams that obtained the first ball possession in the four periods finalized winning their matches.