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No favorites among water polo teams at Olympic Games

Captain of Russia's women water polo team Sofya Konukh believes there are no favorites at the London 2012 Olympic Games

LONDON, July 31 (Itar-Tass) — Captain of Russia's women water polo team Sofya Konukh believes there are no favorites at the London 2012 Olympic Games. All the teams make it to the quarterfinals regardless of the place won at the preliminary round," Konukh told Itar-Tass after the first game with the British team which Russia won 7:6.

"It makes absolutely no sense to "choose" the opponent in the finals. Such is the level of women water polo that there is no clear favorite. We have to try and do what we practiced during our training for the Olympic Games," she said.

Commenting on the game with the Britons, Konukh said she was happy with her team's "showing character, and the skill to concentrate at crucial moments."

Sofya Konukh has been in the Russian tem for 15 years. She is the bronze medalist of Olympic Games 2000, a European champion, and medalist of world competitions.

"I feel OK in the role of a sort of instructor for younger players. I like it in London. I believe these games are organized better than all those in which I participated. And of course, I wish to return home in a good mood, i.e. with a medal," Konukh said.

In preliminary round, Russia, which is in Group B, will play vs Italy on August 1 and Australia on August 3.

Group A comprises the teams from Spain, the USA, Hungary and China.

The quarterfinals are on August 5, semifinals on August 7 and the 1st - and 3rd place games are due on August 9.

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