London: Hosts Great Britain has been handed out a tough draw in the men's water polo event for the 2012 London Olympics.

Britain has been clubbed with Olympic champions Hungary, Beijing Games silver medallist US and bronze medallist Serbia in Group B. The other teams in the group are Montenegro and Romania.

Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Australia and Croatia are in Group A. The four highest-ranked teams in each group will qualify for the quarter final round.

In the women's competition, Britain have been clubbed in Group B with Beijing Games bronze medallist Australia, Italy and Russia. Australia were also crowned winners of the Visa Water Polo International tournament at the Water Polo Arena this weekend, part of the final group of London Prepares Series test events to take place in the Olympic Park.

This summer, the men's tournament will feature 12 teams while the women's will feature eight. The competition takes place at the Water Polo Arena in the Olympic Park from July 29 to August 12.

The draw was held at the world body FINA headquarters in Lausanne, Sunday. The draw was attended and conducted by the FINA executive body.

London 2012 Organising Committee Director of Sport Debbie Jevans said the Water Polo Arena was ready for the Olympics.

"This week we've tested our brand new water polo arena with thousands of fans cheering on some of the world's best players. We will now be fine tuning our preparations and working closely with FINA to get ready to stage spectacular matches this summer," Debbie said.

All places in the women's competition were confirmed in the World Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Italy in April, while the men's participants were finalised in the same tournament in Canada earlier in the month.

Men's Competition:

Group A: Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Australia, Croatia
Group B: Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Great Britain, USA, Serbia

Women's Competition:
Group A: Hungary, Spain, China, USA,
Group B: Italy , Great Britain, Russia, Australia

(IANS)