Final results for the water polo tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics played at Finchley Lido:
In the first round each team in a group played each other team in the same group. The placings were determined on points. If the points were equal, then the better goal average decided. The first two teams of each group were qualified for the second round, while the third placed team was eliminated.
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
In the second round each team in a group played each other team in the same group unless they had met in a previous round. In this case the previous result stood and was carried forward to this group. So in each group only three matches had to be played. The placings were determined on points. If the points were equal, then the better goal average decided. The first two teams of each group were qualified for the semi-finals, while the third placed team was eliminated.
The results which are carried forward from the first round are shown in italics.
Group G
Group H
Group I
Group J
As in the second round each team in a group played each other team in the same group unless they had met in a previous round. In this case the previous result stood and was carried forward to this group. So in each group only three matches had to be played. The placings were determined on points. If the points were equal, then the better goal average decided. The first two teams of each group were qualified for the final round, while the third and fourth placed team were eliminated and took part in a consolation tournament.
The results which are carried forward from the previous rounds are shown in italics.
Group K
Group L
As in all other rounds each team in the final played each other team unless they had met in a previous round. In this case the previous result stood and was carried forward to the final. So in the final only four matches had to be played. The placings were determined on points. If the points were equal, then the better goal average decided.
The results which are carried forward from the previous rounds are shown in italics.
Final Group
Group for fifth to eighth places - consolation tournament
Each country was allowed to enter a team of 11 players and they all were eligible for participation.
A total of 155(*) water polo players from 18 nations competed at the London Games:
(*) NOTE: There are only players counted, which participated in one game at least.
Not all reserve players are known.