🛒 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

First place in the group can be crucial

January 11, 2020

Marton Benzcur, UVSE women' head coach

Marton Benczur, who coaches reigning Hungarian champion UVSE, is one of Total Waterpolo’s bloggers for the European championships.
These are his predictions about the women’s tournament in the Duna Arena in Budapest.

Group A

Greece, Hungary and Russia will fight for the top three places in the group, while Croatia, Serbia or Slovakia will be in fourth place

It will be an exciting battle between the top three teams, but it is hard to imagine that some of the other three sides could reach the first three places. It isn’t easy to predict the ranking of the top three teams, as well as which team will finish in the fourth place.

Based on the recent results, the match Hungary-Russia (January 15th) may decide the 1st place. In my opinion, the winner of this game will finish atop the group, which will give them a much easier opponent in the quarterfinals.

However, the Greek national team is a dangerous opponent, although they have not been so successful in the recent period. In spite of their poor performance in the World League, the Greeks come with excellent players (Tsoukala, Xenaki, Eleftheria Plevritou) and a great coach (Giorgos Morfesis). They have proven their quality countless times. They miss Alexandra Asimaki, and it won’t be very easy to replace her. If they manage to stabilize their defense, they could defeat both the Russian and the Hungarian team.

The Russian national team is a formidable squad with the sensational Ekaterina Prokofyeva and a great mixture of experienced stars (Karnaukh, Soboleva, Gorbunova, Simanovich, Ivanova or Timofeeva) with the dynamic and often unstoppable younger players (who have proven that they have a bright future by the results at the junior competitions). Their lightning-fast counter-attacks are their primary weapon. It is easier to stop them in the position attacks, but it’s not an easy task! Russia has featured in all of the Olympic Games so far, so it is clear that they came to Budapest to earn an Olympic berth.

Host Hungary is also a significant force and has chances to win the tournament, especially if they are not overwhelmed by the pressure of the home field. But they can draw strength from the encouragement of a fantastic Hungarian audience. There are a lot of excellent players in their ranks. One of the best teams in the world dives into the water with the indestructible Rita Keszthely, the sensationally goalkeeper Gangl Edina or the players of the younger generation Gurisatti, Vályi, Szilágyi, Rybanska. The strongest center-pair in the tournament is also likely to be in the Hungarian team with Gyöngyössy and Parkes. The Spanish team also has two centers with this ability.

We are looking forward to seeing how much more experienced players such as Garda or Matt, who have played smaller roles so far, will give the home team. The team will miss Dóra Antal, Gabriella Szücs and Dóra Tóth-Csabai, who were stable members of the national team in the past few years.

Serbia and Croatia have similar chances for fourth place.

Women’s water polo has developed a lot in these two countries, as well as in Slovakia. But, at the moment they aren’t able to reach the top three places.

Group B

The fate of the first three places is no question here. The Netherlands, Italy, and Spain will finish in the first three places for sure. A huge fight is expected here, as the group winner will almost certainly make it to the semifinals. None of these teams will have trouble to beat a fourth-placed team of Group A (Slovakia, Serbia or Croatia) in the quarterfinals.

One of the most potent teams in the world, the Netherlands, has proven its quality many times with stars Megens, Van der Sloot, or Sevenich, experienced Stomphorst, Genee, and the great youngsters Koolhaas, Voorvelt, Rogge. It is questionable how good a goalkeeper will be. The goalkeeper could have a decisive role, as their primary weapon is the defense, one of the best in the world. Their draw against the USA at the Holiday Cup in Princeton proves that they can achieve success in Budapest.

The Spanish team is the only team which arrived in Budapest with the Olympic ticket, and this is a very interesting situation. They may be less motivated, but they are more likely to present a real water polo without any burden. Spain has one of the most experienced teams in the world, with “veteran” players, regardless of age. Spain has excellent chances, as it plays with perhaps the best center in the world, the “indestructible” Maica Garcia, heavy bombers like Ortiz, Tarrago, fantastic left-handers like Forca and youngsters like Leiton.

The Italian national team is also a good mix of experienced fantastic players like Garibotti, Bianconi, Palmieri, or goalkeeper Gorlero and great youngsters like Avegno. With their incredible passion, they can reach any height in Budapest.

The French team is the closest to the fourth position, as neither the German nor the Israeli side has a talent like Geraldine Mahieu, who is also one of the best centers in one of the strongest championships in the world (Hungarian League).

Summary

The first place in the group is important for all six big teams (Greece, Hungary, Russia, Netherlands, Spain, Italy) as it can almost secure the spot in the semifinals. Being second or third is not as crucial as the encounters between these six teams can produce any result. The considerable stake (Olympic quota), the fantastic Hungarian audience (who can create a great atmosphere not only at the Hungarian games), and the stunningly beautiful venue guarantees that we will watch a tremendous European Championship!

I am curious to see who will “blow-up” from the circle of 18-22-year-old players. There are young girls in all six big teams who can decide the most important matches.

 Márton Benczur

TW Press
TW Press

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