Hungary defeated Russia 12-9 in Budapest ©FINA

Hungary and Spain won their International Swimming Federation (FINA) Women’s Water Polo World League matches to cement their places at the top of the rankings.

The Hungarians beat Russia in home water in Budapest after a dominant start gave them a 4-1 victory in the first quarter.

They then kept this momentum up in the second with a 3-2 victory, however, Russia added tension to proceedings in the third quarter with a 4-3 victory.

Unfortunately for them, their 2-2 draw in the final quarter was not enough to stop the Hungarians coming out on top by a 12-9 scoreline.

Spain beat The Netherlands in their latest Women’s Water Polo World League match ©Getty Images
Spain beat The Netherlands in their latest Women’s Water Polo World League match ©Getty Images

Spain also kept up their good form with an away victory against The Netherlands in Ede.

The Dutch started the match well and won the first quarter 3-2, but Spain then wrestled back control of the game to eventually run out 11-8 winners by the end of the match.

These results mean that Hungary and Spain currently top the rankings on six points with Russia and The Netherlands third and fourth respectively on three points each.

The fourth round of the Women's World League is due to be played on February 27 with the men's European preliminaries set to resume earlier on February 12.