The reigning world, European, and World Cup champion Spain will face host and Olympic champion Serbia in the group stage of the 2026 Men’s European Championships in Belgrade, it was decided at today’s draw in Belgrade. So, the two teams that are current gold-medal holders in all major competitions will play one of the most interesting matches in the first phase of the tournament.
Some of the other derbies of the first stage will be clashes Montenegro vs. Hungary and Greece vs. Croatia in groups A and C, respectively. There is only one favorite in Group D – it’s Italy.
The draw for the Championships took place in Belgrade this evening. The representatives of many participating national federations attended the ceremony along with European Aquatics and the Water Polo Federation’s officials. Viktor Jelenic, the WPF of Serbia President, and Antonio Silva, EA President, welcomed the guests. Two of Serbia’s former aces and Olympic champions, FIlip Filipovic and Milan Aleksic, assisted in drawing the balls from the pots..
2026 Men’s European Championships (January 10 – 25)
Group A: Malta, France, Montenegro, Hungary
Group B: Slovenia, Greece, Croatia, Georgia.
Group C: Netherlands, Israel, Serbia, Spain
Group D: Turkiye, Romania, Italy, Slovakia
After the first phase, the top three teams from groups A and C will form a new Group E, while the top three teams from groups B and D, go to new Group F.
So, it’s sure that the finalists of the World Championships, Spain and Hungary, will play before the semifinals, in Group E.
Preliminary schedule
January 10: Groups A and C, Round 1
January 11: Groups B and D, Round 1
January 12: Groups A and C, Round 2
January 13: Groups B and D, Round 2
January 14: Groups A and C, Round 3
January 15: Groups B and D, Round 3
The top three teams from groups A and C will advance to Group E, while the top three teams from groups B and D will advance to Group F.
January 16: Group E, Round 1 and 13th-16th place group, Round 1
January 17: Group F, Round 1 and 13th-16th place group, Round 1
January 18: Group E, Round 2 and 13th-16th place group, Round 2
January 19: Group F, Round 2
January 20: Group E, Round 3
January 21: Group F, Round 3
January 22: Matches for 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th place
January 23: Semifinals (E1 – F2, E2 – F1)
January 24: Rest day
January 25: Final and bronze medal game
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