Belgrade 2026, Groups B and D: Three powerhouses in battle for two semi final tickets

Groups A and C are the stronger half of the field at the 36th European Men’s Championships, but there are serious medal contenders in Groups B and D, too. The top three teams from each of these groups will form a new Group F.

Croatia, Greece (Group B), and Italy (Group D) are, as usual, coming to a big competition with high ambitions and big chances to reach the podium.

It’s almost certain that two of these three teams will secure two semifinal spots from the future Group F.

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36th European Men’s Water Polo Championships, Belgrade

B Group B: Croatia, Greece, Georgia, Slovenia

CROATIA

Best results in the history of the history: two golds (2010 and 2022), three silver and two bronze medals. Croatia won 12 medals as part of SFR Yugoslavia (1, 7, 4)

Last five editions – 2024: 2^nd place; 2022: 1^st place; 2020: 4^th place; 2018: 3^rd place; 2016: 7^th place.

All-time statistics at the Europeans (16 appearances): 114 games (68 wins, 13 draws, 33 loses).

Head coach: Ivica Tucak

The year 2024 was unique in the history of water polo. Three big competitions were held within seven months – the European Championships, the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Croatia is the only team that reached the semifinals in all three tournaments. Moreover, the Croats have played in all three finals, winning gold at the World Championships in Doha and securing silver at the European Championships in Zagreb and the Paris Games.

Last year, Croatia performed well at major tournaments, but didn’t win a medal, finishing in 4th place at the World Cup and 5th at the World Championships. The Croats had an almost perfect record in Singapore, going 5-1, but lost in the crucial quarterfinals game, a phase that has been scrapped from the programme in the new European Championships’ format.

. The team has undergone slight changes over the past two years. Head coach Tucak relies on experienced players, all of whom are multiple-time medalists. Along with quality and experience, continuity remains Croatia’s strength.

Croatia is probably the oldest team in the tournament, with the youngest player, Zuvela, at 24, and the oldest center-forward, Vrlic, who will turn 40 in a few months. It’s very possible that several players will compete in the Europeans for the last time in their careers, which has fueled a strong desire to say goodbye with a medal.

GREECE

Best result in the history of the ECH: 4th place (1999 and 2016)

Last five editions – 2024: 5^th place; 2022: 5^th place; 2020: 7^th place; 2018: 5^th place; 2016: 4^th place

All-time statistics (20 appearances): 143 games (60 W, 13 D, 70 L)

Head coach: Theodoros Vlachos.

Greece has achieved success at the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, and the World League, winning medals.

However, the nation has yet to secure a medal at the European Men’s Championships, despite participating 20 times.

In recent years, Greece has consistently been a medal contender, arriving at the European Championships to break this disappointing streak. Greece has a strong team featuring outstanding players across every position, led by Theodoros Vlachos, their coach for 13 consecutive years. This year, they are once again considered a top favorite.

Last season, Greece showcased its quality by earning medals in both major competitions, finishing with silver at the World Cup and bronze at the World Championships. Belgrade has proven to be a fortunate city for them, as Greece last reached the semifinals at the 2016 Championships held at the Belgrade Arena.

Can they take at least one step further this time?

GEORGIA

Best result in the history of the ECH: 8^th place (2022). As part of the USSR, Georgia won ten medals (5, 3, 2),

Last five editions – 2024: 10th place; 2022: 8^th place; 2020: 10^th place; 2018: 13^th place; 2016: 14^th place.

All-time statistics at the Europeans (6 appearances): 38 games (8 W, 1 D, 29 L).

Head coach: Athanasios Kechagias.

Georgia made its European Championships debut in 2014, and since then, it has never missed the continental championships.

It is a team that is somewhere in the middle of European water polo. Georgia isn’t a favorite, but it can easily beat the teams from the “lower house”.

Georgia has several players who have a lot of experience playing in the best European leagues – Shusiashvili, Vasic, Dadvani, Pjesivac. Undoubtedly, it’s a team that can cause trouble to Croatia and Greece, but winning points in the duels with the two powerhouses would be a surprise.

SLOVENIA

Best result in the ECH history: 11^th place (1999). Slovenia won 12 medals as part of SFR Yugoslavia (1, 7, 4)

Last five editions – 2024: 14^th place; 2022: 16^th place, 2016 – 2020: didn’t qualify

All time statistics (5 appearances): 29 games (3 W, 0 D, 26 L)

Head coach: Mirko Vicevic.

Historically, Slovenia won a lot of medals as part of Yugoslavia. However, Slovenian clubs and players were far from the top in the former country.

Slovenia, under the guidance of successful SFRY player Mirko Vicevic, qualified for the European Championships for the 6th time. The Slovenians are seeking their 4^th win at the Europeans, but it will be hard to achieve in Group Phase I with Croatia, Greece, and Georgia

Group B, Round 1

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D Group D: Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Turkiye

ITALY

Best results in the ECH history: three gold medals (1947, 1993, 1995), two silver and seven bronze medals.

Last five editions – 2024: 3^rd place; 2022: 4^th place; 2020: 6^th place; 2018: 4^th place; 2016: 6^th place.

All time statistics (34 appearances): 225 games (128 W, 18 D, 79 L)

Head coach: Alessandro Campagna.

Italy underwent significant changes to its national team this winter and is heading to the Europeans without several players who have been key contributors in recent years, such as Di Fulvio, Cannella, and Velotto. Only three players from Pro Recco are included in the roster.

This shift, made by the Italian Federation and head coach Alessandro Campagna—who has been at the helm for almost two decades—may prove risky for achieving significant results.

The current squad comprises several experienced players, such as Del Lungo and Di Somma, who have demonstrated their outstanding abilities for a long time, as well as younger players. But most of the younger players have already won significant trophies with the national teams or clubs.

This winter, the team performed well, remaining undefeated in their preparations by defeating strong opponents, Hungary (twice), Montenegro, Spain, and Serbia. While the outcomes of friendly matches may not be indicative of future success, the team demonstrated strong determination and motivation in these games.

In Group D, the “Settebello” will face relatively easier opponents, which may help them enhance their performance and prepare for crucial matches against Croatia and Greece in Group Phase II

ROMANIA

Best result in the history of the ECH: 4th place (1993 and 2006)

Last five editions – 2024: 8^th place; 2022: 10^th place; 2020: 11^th place; 2018: 11^th place; 2016: 10^th place.

All-time statistics at the Europeans (26 appearances): 172 matches (56 W, 19 D, 97 L)

Head coach: Bogdan Rath.

Romania holds the record for the most participations in continental championships without winning a medal. The national team has competed in the Europeans 26 times, reaching the semifinals only twice.

In the past two years, Romania has become a consistent participant in World Championships, achieving a tenth-place finish in both the 2024 and 2025 events, but unfortunately finishing last at the Paris Olympics.

The participation of Romanian clubs, Steaua and Oradea, on the European stage in recent years has positively influenced the progress of the national team, which is cabaple to battle for a spot in the Top 8 in Belgrade

SLOVAKIA

Best result in the history of the ECH: 7^th place (2003)

Last five editions – 2024: 13^th place; 2022: 15^th place; 2020: 14^th place; 2018: 14^th place; 2016: 13^th place.

All-time statistics (12 appearances): 78 games (20 W, 5 D, 53 L)

Head coach: Roman Polacik.

Since gaining independence, Slovakia has missed only one edition of the European Championships (in 1995) but has made the top 8 only three times (7th in 2003 and 8^th in 1997 and 2001).

This year, the Slovaks have a very realistic chance of avoiding the 13^th-14^th place classification. Moreover, their clash with Romania could be very interesting, similar to the one in Dubrovnik two years ago, when Romania secured a narrow 8:7 win.

The team has matured over the last several seasons, partly because several players are at strong European clubs, including Lukas Durik, who has played for Pro Recco for a season and a half.

TURKIYE

Best result in the ECH history: 10^th place (2010)

Last five editions – 2024 and 2022: didn’t qualify; 2020: 12^th place; 2018: 15^th place; 2016: 16^th place.

All-time statistics (7 appearances): 46 games (3 W, 3 D, 40 L).

Head coach: Konstantinos Loudis.

Turkiye doesn’t have a great water polo tradition and big water polo names on the roster. It has achieved only three wins since its European Championships debut in 1970.

But, Romania and Slovakia can’t count on easy points against the Turks. Last summer, Slovakia narrowly defeated Turkey (13:12) in the qualifications for the Belgrade tournament. But, at the same tournament,  Turkey managed to beat Germany (17:16), which failed to qualify for the European Championships for the first time ever due to that and a loss to Slovakia.

Group D, Round 1

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