🛒 Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! →
🤑 10% off on selected briefs & merch 🤑
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • Summer Cup 2025
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpolo™ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
SINGAPORE 2025
Support Us

Budapest preview, part I: Netherlands and Italy are eyeing new record

January 11, 2020

Netherlands, 2018 European Champion

The battle for the European medals begins tomorrow.

The 34th European Water Polo Championships in the Duna Arena in Budapest will start on January 12th, with the matches of the first round of the female competition.

Twelve teams, split into two groups, will take part. After the group stage, the top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

The Netherlands arrives in Budapest as the titleholder. Two years ago, the Dutch beat Greece 6:4 in the final game in Barcelona and won their fifth title (1985, 1987, 1989,1993, 2018). They equaled Italy’s record, which also has five European golds (1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2012). So, both teams aim for a new record.

But, Italy and the Netherlands are just two of several serious medal contenders. Host Hungary, Greece, Russia, Spain also can reach the top.

European Championships is also one of the qualification tournaments for the Olympic Games. There is only one available Olympic berth, while Spain is the only European female team that has already qualified for the Games in Tokyo. The Spaniards secured an appearance at the Olympic Games by winning the silver medal at the World Championships in Gwangju.

34th European Water Polo Championships, women

Group A

Greece
Best results in the history of the ECH: three silver medals (2010, 2012, 2018)
2018 European Championships: 2nd place

Hungary
Best result in the history of the ECH: three gold medals (1991, 2001, 2016)
2018 European Championships: 4th place

Russia
Best result in the history of the ECH: three gold medals (2006, 2008, 2010)
2018 European Championships: 5th place

Serbia
Best result in the history of the ECH: 8th place (2006) , 9th place (2016, 2018)
2018 European Championships:9th place

Croatia
Best result in the history of the ECH: 8th place (2010)
2018 European Championships: 11th place

Slovakia
Best result in the history of the ECH: debutant
2018 European Championships: –

Russia, Greece and host Hungary are favorites for the first place in the group.

Host Hungary collected the most medals in the history of the European Championships for ladies- 13 (3 golds, 5 silvers and 5 bronzes). They didn’t reach the final game at the previous two major competitions played in Budapest (bronze at the 2014 Europeans and 5th place at the 2017 World Championships). Will the third time be the charm for the Hungarians, which finished 4th at the 2019 World Championships.

After three European titles in a row (2006, 2008, 2010), Russia didn’t win a medal at the next four Championships (2012 – 2018). Two years ago, the Russians finished 5th in Barcelona. They were 5th at the World Championships in Gwangju last year, too. Russia arrives in Budapest with ambitions to end a medal-less series at the European Championships.

Greece has an experienced squad, which played far from its best at the World Championships last year (8th place). For sure, the Greeks will be disappointed if they don’t reach the semifinals.

Serbia and Croatia will battle for the fourth place in the group and the quarterfinal spot. Slovakia, as the only newcomer at the Championships, has no big chance, but the Slovaks might surprise Serbia or Croatia.

Day 1 schedule: Slovakia – Russia, Greece – Serbia, Hungary – Croatia.

Group B

The Netherlands
Best result in the history of the ECH: five gold medals (1985, 1987, 1989,1993, 2018).
2018 European Championships: 1st place

Spain
Best result in the history of the ECH: gold medal (2014)
2018 European Championships: bronze medal

Italy
Best result in the history of the ECH: five gold medals (1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2012)
2018 European Championships: 6th place.

France
Best result in the history of the ECH: two bronze medals (1987, 1989)
2018 European Championships: 7th place

Germany
Best result in the history of the ECH: bronze medal (1985)
2018 European Championships: 8th place

Israel
Best result in the history of the ECH: 10th place (2018)
2018 European Championships: 10th place

Just like in Group A, three favorites and three teams that have no big chances to win a medal, are playing in Group B.

It’s hard to predict who will win first place. Reigning champion the Netherlands, the best European team at the 2019 World Championships Spain and Italy have more or less the same chances.

Spain grabbed silver at the World Championships, where Italy took 6th and the Netherlands 7th place.

Each of these teams has a glorious water polo history. The Netherlands took part in each edition of the European Championships (the only team besides Hungary) since 1985. Spain and Italy are also regular participants at all major competitions in the past decade.

Spain’s advantage might be less pressure, as the Spaniards have already qualified for the Olympic Games. Their only goal in Budapest is a medal.

Everybody expects that Germany or France will join the three big teams in the quarterfinals from this group. Israel has no long water polo tradition. The Championships in Budapest will be their second ever participation at the big competition, after 10th place at the Europeans two years ago.

Day 1 schedule: France – Spain, Germany – Italy, Netherlands – Israel

All medal winners

1985 (Oslo): Netherlands, Hungary, FR Germany
1987 (Strasburg): Netherlands, Hungary, France
1989 (Bonn): Netherlands, Hungary, France
1991 (Athens): Hungary, Netherlands, Italy
1993 (Leeds): Netherlands, Russia, Hungary
1995 (Vienna): Italy, Hungary, Netherlands
1997 (Seville): Italy, Russia, Netherlands
1999 (Prato): Italy, Netherlands, Russia
2001 (Budapest): Hungary, Italy, Russia
2003 (Ljubljana): Italy, Hungary, Russia
2006 (Belgrade): Russia, Italy, Hungary
2008 (Malaga): Russia, Spain, Hungary
2010 (Zagreb): Russia, Greece, Netherlands
2012 (Eindhoven): Italy, Greece, Hungary
2014 (Budapest): Spain, Netherlands, Hungary
2016 (Belgrade): Hungary, Netherlands, Italy
2018 (Barcelona): Netherlands, Greece, Spain

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 12, 2025

Italian and Hungarian cadets to battle for European crown


Read more

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 11, 2025

Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and Montenegro reach semifinals in Istanbul


Read more

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 10, 2025

Favorites win easily in crossover round of European U16 Championships


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • Italian and Hungarian cadets to battle for European crown
    July 12, 2025
  • Montenegro claims narrow victory in first big derby of men’s tournament in Singapore
    July 12, 2025
  • Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and Montenegro reach semifinals in Istanbul
    July 11, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT