KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's best water polo players have never had it this good.
Over the next seven days they will host some of the world's finest in the Southern Cross Cup, being staged in Auckland, providing an ideal preparation for the world championships in Melbourne this month.
It is the biggest water polo event to be staged in New Zealand, with world No 1 men's team Serbia the star attractions in a seven-team round robin format.
The women host the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. New Zealand captain Anna Sieprath is delighted at the chance the cup provides for both national teams, not to mention the rare chance for the public to watch high-calibre water polo.
"It's a pretty awesome opportunity for the people to see some water polo at such a high level, and in our back yard for a change instead of us having to go to Europe or North America," she said yesterday.
At the last worlds, in 2005, the New Zealand women lost 2-1 to Germany in the lowest-scoring match so far at the championships. That cut them out of a quarter-final chance and they finished 12th, so an opportunity for revenge beckons.
The men start against Canada tonight but the real treat will be on Sunday morning, when they play the Serbs.
All games are at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson, but teams will use the facilities at Sacred Heart College in Glendowie and the North Shore's Millennium Institute for training during the week.
The Serbs start the cup against Britain at 6.30 tonight. Ticket sales are going well.
Cup Guide
* Seven men's and four women's teams will contest the Southern Cross Cup, starting tonight, with world men's No 1 Serbia the star attractions.
* Games are at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson. Teams are also training at Sacred Heart and the Millennium Institute until March 14.
* The world champs start in Melbourne on March 18.
