The water polo competition at the 2009 Mediterranean Games took place between June 30 and July 5, 2009 and was contested by 9 teams.Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Gameplay involves swimming, treading water, players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a net defended by a goalie. Water polo, therefore, has strong similarities to the land-based game of team handball. The frequency of 'man-up' (or 'power play') situations also draws comparisons with ice hockey.
