The coronavirus spread stopped water polo competitions in Hungary, although it seemed that the leagues would be continued, but with restrictions because of the protection measures.
On Wednesday, the Hungarian Water Polo Federation decided to continue its competitions, with some restrictions, despite the Hungarian Government declared the state of emergency,
On Friday, OSC and Eger faced off in front of the empty stands. However, a few hours later, the Hungarian Water Polo federation issued a new statement and suspended all competitions until further notice.
The Hungarian Water Polo Federation announced:
“After the Prime Minister’s briefing and consultation with other federations this evening, the Executive Board made the decision, that from midnight on March 13, 2020, all sporting events in the Hungarian Water Polo Association’s competition system will be postponed.”
Regardless of this decision, there were no planned matches in the First Hungarian Male Water Polo League in the second half of March (the next round is scheduled for April 1st). But, there were a lot of games in the Women’s League and other competitions that were supposed to be played this weekend and the upcoming weeks.
All water polo competitions in Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, France, Portugal and Germany have already been suspended before the Hungarian League was stopped. There are no matches scheduled for the next two weeks in the male league in Romania because the national team started the preparations for the Olympic Qualifications in Rotterdam (FINA postponed the competition).
The Water Polo Federation of Serbia suspended all the competitions for the junior and youth players, while the games of the senior leagues scheduled for this weekend haven’t been postponed. But the matches will be played with no spectators.
