Marton Benczur is the head coach of UVSE, one of Hungary’s most successful clubs in recent years.
Since taking over as the head coach in 2016, Benczur has won six major titles, including the Hungarian Championship in 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Benczur also guided his team to a 2020/21 Euro League bronze medal.
When away from club duties, Marton is the head coach of the junior national teams for Hungary. With him at the helm, his U19 squad won silver at the European Championships and bronze at the U18 World Championships last summer.
Marton Benczur’s Top 5 of 2022
“Thank you for asking me again; it’s a real honour to write my opinions about the top five players from last season.
This year, I would like to turn the spotlight on the future stars of water polo who have already made their mark on senior competitions.
My list contains only five U20 players, but I also must mention: Stefania Santa and Foteini Tricha from Greece; Paula Prats from Spain; Sienna Green from Australia; Lola Moolhuijzen from the Netherlands; and Kata Hajdú and Dalma Dömsödi from Hungary. There are no goalkeepers on my list, but there are many promising young goalkeepers who also play in this age group.
Of course, there are many better players than these youngsters, but I’m also sure these players will be the best in the years after the 2024 Olympic games.”
1. Elena Ruiz (ESP)
Spain National Team Player/Club: Sabadell /Position: Driver
Many people had said nearly everything about her before me, making it difficult to tell something new. Absolute lethal shots, supreme confidence in taking responsibility for a shot, even in a critical situation of the game(s). As a coach, it makes me very happy to see how she moves in the water and how she sees the game all the time, smart and anticipatory. To become a key member of Spain's magnificent senior team at the age of 18 proves everything, and one reason (among many) why I put her first is that as an opponent coach (or simply a fan in the crowd), I never saw any disrespectful or overconfident gesture from her, and my experience is that this is extremely important for a young, talented player.
2. Panni Szegedi (HUN)
Hungary National Team Player/Club: UVSE/ Position: Driver
Obviously, I have a partial opinion about her, but this summer (and the whole season) she proved that maybe I am not so partial. As Total Waterpolo describes her as the ‘work horse’ of team Hungary, I could only agree with that opinion. She puts all into team performance a very balanced offence and defence also, and she is the leader of teams of Hungary also inside and outside of the pool.
3. Jenna Flynn (USA)
United States National Team Player/Club: Stanford/ Position: Driver
One of the best players of the U18 World Championship has a really enjoyable style of play. intelligent, smart, fast, and balanced play by her. Really creative play on the offensive side, deadly shots and beautiful assists many times in Belgrade. One of the most dynamic players I saw this summer was a real rough (or already not so rough) diamond of USA’s water polo school.
4. Sofia Giustini (ITA)
Italy National Team Player/Club: SIS Roma/ Position: Wing
Unfortunately (lucky for the opponents.) she didn't play in Netanya, U19 European Championship (all participants could enjoy how she plays) but she had good reason for that because she has nearly become a key player for the senior team of Italy. Medals and great performances showed her quality, great anticipation skill, good shooting, and balanced performances.
