πŸ›’ Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! β†’
πŸ€‘ 10% off on selected briefs & merch πŸ€‘
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • Results

    National

    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Women
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Women
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Women
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Women
      • Italian League 2324 – Men
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League 23/24
    • Austria
      • Women’s Bundesliga 2023

    International

    • LEN Champions League
      • Season 23/24
        • Women
        • Men
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Nordic League
      • Season 23/24
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020
    • World Championships
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • BIWPA
      • Next Generation 2023 – Women
      • Next Generation 2023 – Men
    • Masters Tournaments
      • VAL League
      • Herceg Novi MNE
        • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 β€œ40+”
        • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 β€œ30+”

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

    Contact Us
    • International
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • LEN CHL
        • 2023/24
          • Women
          • Men
        • 2022/23
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
    • National
      • Hungary
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Women
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • France
        • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spain
        • Spanish League 2023 – Women
        • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italy
        • Italian League 2023 – Women
        • Italian League 2023 – Men
      • Nordic League
      • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • Amateur & Junior
      • VAL League
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpoloβ„’ 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 ’23
✕
  • News
  • Results
    • International
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • LEN CHL
        • 2023/24
          • Women
          • Men
        • 2022/23
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
    • National
      • Hungary
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Women
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • France
        • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spain
        • Spanish League 2023 – Women
        • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italy
        • Italian League 2023 – Women
        • Italian League 2023 – Men
      • Nordic League
      • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • Amateur & Junior
      • VAL League
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player ’23
CroMasters '24
Support Us

Timeless Centre Backs – Total Player Award 2020

December 4, 2020

Timeless Talents - Total Player 2020

They are often neglected because their main focus is defense. But every water polo player appreciates a great centre back, who allows them to “rest” a bit more while defending. If they are also able to score some long-range shots, then they become an essential part of any team. These are the candidates for our Timeless Centre Back position:

Women

Evgeniia Soboleva

National team: Russia

Soboleva’s row of medals with Russia’s national team started in 2006, with the bronze in the World Cup. She won one Olympic bronze (2016), three consecutive bronze medals at the World Championships (2007, 2009, 2011), two titles of the European championships (2008 and 2010), and 2nd place at this year’s continental championship. VOTE

 

Evangelia Moraitidou

National team: Greece

In the early 2000s, Greece became one of the leading countries in women’s water polo. One of the Greek team’s key players at the beginning of the 21st century was Evangelia Moraitidou. She won the Olympic silver in 2004, the title of the World Champion in 2005, and the bronze in 2007. She was part of Vouliagmeni, which won the 2010 LEN Euro League and 2003 LEN Trophy. VOTE

 

Blanca Gil

National team: Spain

Blanca Gil Sorli didn’t win many medals at the major competitions for the national teams. She was the silver-medalist at the 2008 European Championship. Gil has several 4th, 5th, and 6th places at FINA and LEN tournaments. But, she left her mark in three strong national leagues, playing for Mediterrani, Sabadell (Spain), Orizzonte Catania, ASD Rome (Italy), Olympiacos (Greece), etc. She won two titles in the Euroleague with Orizzonte (2005, 2006), and the 2007 LEN Trophy (ASD Rome). She received several awards for the best scorer and MVP of the big competitions and the national leagues. VOTE

 

Lauren Wenger

National team: USA

Lauren Wenger helped Team USA win two Olympic medals (bronze in 2008 and silver in 2008). She climbed the podium at the World Championships (gold – 2007 and 2009, and silver – 2005). Wenger has two golds at the Pan American Games (2007 and 2011), and several gold medals won in the World League. VOTE

 

Melissa Seidemann

National team: USA

Mellissa Seidemann has been playing for the Team USA since 2010. She has collected 18 medals in the last ten years. Just one of these 18 isn’t gold. She is a two-time Olympic champion (2012 and 2016), has three gold medals at the World Championships (2015, 2017, 2019), three at the Pan American Games (2011, 2019), two in the FINA World Cup (2010 and 2014). Seidemann has captured and nine gold and one bronze medal in the World League. VOTE

 

Yasemin Smit

National team: Netherlands

Yasemin Smit was the captain of the Dutch team, which achieved the most significant success in the history of the Netherlands’ water polo by winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. Besides the Olympic title, she captured the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships, three medals at the European Championships (silver – 2014 and 2016, bronze – 2010), and one bronze in the World League (2015). Smit was named the MVP of the 2016 European Championship. VOTE

 

Hannah Buckling

National team: Australia

Shortly after leaving the junior team, Hannah Buckling became a regular member of Australia’s senior national team. She has clinched two medals at the World Championships (silver – 2013, bronze – 2019), and has one Olympic appearance (Rio 2016) so far. VOTE

 

Rowena Webster

National team: Australia

Rowena “Rowie” Webster, the current Australian team captain, has played more than 300 games for the “Stringers”. She has won the bronze at the 2012 Olympics. Webster has two medals won at the World Championships (silver – 2013, bronze – 2019), two in the World League (silver-2010, bronze – 2009), and the bronze medal from the 2010 World Cup. VOTE

Men

Attila Vari

National team: Hungary

Attila Vari climbed the highest step of the Olympic podium twice. He won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. Vari played for the national team of Hungary for more than ten years and has 16 medals at FINA, LEN, and IOC competitions. Besides two Olympic golds, he won the World title (2003), two gold medals at the European championships (1997 and 1999), two in the World League (2003 and 2004), and one in the FINA World Cup (1999). In 2004, he was part of the team of Honved, which won the Euro League (Champions League). VOTE

 

Andro Buslje

National team: Croatia

Buslje is the only water polo player who has won seven medals at the FINA World Championships (two golds in 2007 and 2017, one silver and four bronze medals). Buslje was the Olympic champion in 2012, and the runner-up in 2016. Besides mentioned nine, he has eight medals at major competitions, including the title of the European Champion (2010) and the World League gold (2012). He has been Croatia captain since 2017. At club level, Andro Buslje lifted two winning trophies in the Champions League – in 2006 with Jug, and in 2018 with Olympiacos. VOTE

 

Barnabas Steinmetz

National team: Hungary

Barnabas Steinmetz won two Olympic gold medals playing for Hungary (2000, 2004), the title at the 2003 World Championships, and two European golds (1997 and 1999). In total, he has nine medals with Hungary. He took two trophies in the Cup Winners’ Cup (with Ferencvaros in 1998 and Posillipo five years later). VOTE

 

Dejan Savic
National teams: Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro/Serbia
Dejan Savic is the most capped player in the history of the national teams of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro and Serbia. He represented his countries in 444 matches. Savic won three Olympic medals (silver in 2004, and bronze medals in 2000 and 2008). He has 19 medals with the national team, nine of them gold (2005 World Championships, 2001, 2003 and 2006 European Championships, 2006 World Cup and three titles in World Leagues). Savic clinched two LEN Cup trophies (with Partizan and Sintez Kazan). VOTE

 

Maurizio Felugo

National team: Italy

Felugo is one of the most successful water polo players in the history of European cups. He clinched six trophies in the Champions League in 11 years, with two clubs: Posillipo (2004) and Pro Recco (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015). Playing for Italy, he took the gold medal at the 2011 World Championships and the Olympic silver a year later. Felugo has a total of nine trophies with the national team. VOTE

 

Vanja Udovicic

National teams: Serbia and Montenegro/Serbia

Udovicic’s most significant achievements are three Olympic medals (silver in 2004, bronzes in 2008 and 2012), two titles of the World champion (2005, 2009), three gold medals at the European Championships (2003, 2006, 2012), seven golds in World League and two winning trophies in the FINA World Cup (2006 and 2010). He won 24 medals at major competitions. Playing for Pro Recco, Udovicic won two Champions Leagues – 2008 and 2010.Β  In 2010, he was the best water polo player in the world by FINA and the best in Europe by LEN. He was voted the MVP of several tournaments – 2009 World Championships, 2010 Champions League F4, 2010 European Championships, 2010 World Cup. VOTE

 

Vladimir Vujasinovic

National teams: Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro/Serbia

Vladimir Vujasinovic captured 17 medals representing Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia. He climbed the Olympic podium three times (silver in Athens 2004, and two bronze medals in 2000 and 2008). He has one title of the World Champion (2005) and three gold medals at the European Championships (2001, 2003, 2006). At club level, Vujasinovic won more than 40 trophies, including four Champions League trophies (Pro Recco 2003, 2007, 2008 and Partizan 2011), two LEN Cups, etc. He led Serbia and Montenegro/Serbia as a captain from 2003 to 2008. He was named the best athlete of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003 and the MVP of the 2001 European Championships. VOTE

 

Aleksandar Ivovic

National team: Montenegro

Playing for Montenegro, Aleksandar Ivovic has won seven trophies. The series started with the title of the European champion in 2008. After that, he won two more gold medals, both in the World League. He has three Olympic appearances. Ivovic has three Champions League trophies in his treasury (2010, 2012, 2015 with Pro Recco). The Swimming World Magazine elected him as the best water polo player in the world in 2015. He was the top scorer at the 2013 (along with Sandro Sukno) and 2019 World Championships. Ivovic was elected as the best athlete of Montenegro two times in a row (2015 and 2016). VOTE

 

TW Press
TW Press

Related posts

December 7, 2023

[CONFIRMED] Daniel Varga to step down; Robert Kovacs to lead OSC


Read more

France's training Photo by Philippe Fretault/ WP inside

December 7, 2023

France’s 22-player roster for preparations: Bodegas’ new comeback


Read more

Edoardo Di Somma Photo by Slobodan Sandic

December 7, 2023

No big upsets in Champions League first stage; What’s next in two European cups?


Read more

Featured Projects

01 - 06 July, 2024 - Limited Availability

Book NowLearn 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

Learn More

Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

βœ•
  • 0
    [CONFIRMED] Daniel Varga to step down; Robert Kovacs to lead OSC
    December 7, 2023
  • 0
    France’s 22-player roster for preparations: Bodegas’ new comeback
    December 7, 2023
  • 0
    No big upsets in Champions League first stage; What’s next in two European cups?
    December 7, 2023
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Β© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
Total Waterpolo Arena
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • Results
    • International
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • LEN CHL
        • 2023/24
          • Women
          • Men
        • 2022/23
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
    • National
      • Hungary
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Women
        • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • France
        • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spain
        • Spanish League 2023 – Women
        • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italy
        • Italian League 2023 – Women
        • Italian League 2023 – Men
      • Nordic League
      • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • Amateur & Junior
      • VAL League
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player ’23

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