Water polo: U.S. and Romania clash Sunday

NEWPORT BEACH - The United States men’s water polo team begins its

final tuneup before the Sydney Olympics with a three-game series with

Romania. Game 1 is Sunday evening at 5 at Newport Harbor High.

The three exhibition contests were scheduled after the U.S. was

forced to pull out of its last pre-Olympic tournament.

The U.S. which is coached by Corona del Mar High Coach John Vargas,

canceled a trip to Belgrade, Yugoslavia for security reasons.

That tournament featured teams from the host country, Greece, Croatia,

Italy, Slovakia and Romania.

“Circumstances forced us to find an alternative to the tournament in

Belgrade and we were very fortunate that with the financial support of

the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Romanians have agreed to extend their

season and come to the U.S. for common training,” said Bruce Wigo, the

U.S. Water Polo executive director, in a press release.

The second game with Romania will take place Aug. 31 at El Toro High

at 7:15 p.m. The time and location for the third game on Sept. 2 has yet

to be determined.

The U.S., led by captain Chris Oeding, a product of Corona del Mar

High, heads for Sydney on Sept. 4.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. For information, call

(719) 634-0699.