Andres “Bandy” Zolyomy (HUN, ITA, ESP)

Honor Water Polo (2010)

“Bandy” was a man of vision and passion for water polo, setting the foundations for both Italy and Spain to excel in the sport and to win Olympic gold medals. Hungarian by birth, he coached in each country on two separate occasions from 1934 to 1973 and in seven Olympic Games – four for Spain (’48, ’52, ’68, ’72) and three for Italy (’56, ’60, ’64). With young players, his 1960 Italian team won the Olympic gold medal. Italian water polo legend Eraldo Pizzo said “Zolyomy created an exceptional spirit of affection for water polo in Italy”. He returned to Spain in 1968 becoming Spain’s first full-time national team coach, enlarging the water polo base and putting emphasis on a young generation of players. Deceased in 1992, it was his efforts and influence that helped lead Italy and Spain to Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996 respectively.