Santa Barbara water polo fans will get a preview of Olympic competition before this summer’s London Games on Thursday night.
The United States men’s national team is playing reigning world champion Italy in an exhibition match at the Elings Aquatic Center at Dos Pueblos High. Game time is 7 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the door. The prices are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students.
The U.S. and Italy have both qualified for the London Olympic Games in late July. The teams played last week in the Four Nations Tournament at Cal Lutheran University, and the Americans pulled out a thrilling 9-8 victory. Layne Beaubien of Coronado scored the game-winning goal with 17 seconds left in regulation.
Tony Azevedo, who will be playing in his fourth Olympics, and two-time Olympian Jeff Powers lead the U.S. attack. The team includes former UCSB star Brian Alexander and Jansen Wigo, the younger brother of UCSB men’s water polo coach Wolf Wigo, a three-time Olympian and a U.S. team captain Wolf Wigo.
The U.S. is coming off a good performance at the Four Nations Tournament. Besides beating Italy, the team topped Germany 12-10 and played Montenegro to an 8-8 tie.
The U.S. team is coached by San Marcos High alum Terry Schroeder, a four-time Olympian and coach of the men’s silver-medal winning team at the 2008 Olympics.
