Europe’s finest water polo stars set to take centre stage at World Championships in Singapore

Europe’s water polo powerhouses have taken very different paths since the Paris Olympics, both in the men’s and women’s field, meaning the World Championships in Singapore will be the first real test of their respective approaches.

The road after an Olympics has always been a bit of a crossroads for many – with several players usually announcing their retirement from the national team (or for good), and the coaches deciding to build a new team.

Or they stick with the ones that achieved a fine result.

This determines the landscape at the World Championships in Singapore in both tournaments, where the continent’s finest players are set to play leading roles once again.

Indeed, the men’s tournament still offers the unbelievable fact that Europe has claimed all the medals in the championships’ 52 year-old history. No team from the Americas or anywhere else has set foot on the podium since 1973 and it wouldn’t be a surprise if that tradition continues.

The Spanish men arrive with almost the same team that won the European title last January, but failed to make the semis at the Olympics.

However, they were brilliant during their World Cup march in the spring, and they are ready to go for gold again after 2022. The same applies to Croatia, as they field one of the oldest squads – though it’s understandable that it’s hard to look for a major change in your team when it made the final at all three majors last year and claimed the world title in Doha.

Serbia, the reigning Olympic champions and Greece, runners-up in the World Cup, will also rely on experience heavily. In contrast, the Hungarians have gone for a fresh start and named more young guns than before, though many of them are playing for Champions League winners Ferencvaros (indeed, the Magyars had 12 out of 15 players who were present in the Final Four this June).

Italy also look a fine blend of young faces and experienced aces, while in Montenegro the new Serbian head coach Dejan Savic has put his trust almost solely in youngsters.

With the new rules making their debut, speed could be a decisive factor and it’s yet to be seen if the youngsters’ fresh energy prevails, or if muscles and experience are still the key to success.

Something similar is happening among the women’s game, where the Fabulous Five from Europe are on the verge of breaking the USA’s stronghold on the world crown.

The Americans, winners in eight of the last 12 editions, have arrived with a brand new side which seems to boost the chances of ending their reign.

Spain, the Olympic title-holders, are perhaps the strongest candidates, though for personal reasons – starting a family – a couple of their greats are missing from Singapore (like Maica Garcia and Judith Forca).

Also, the mastermind behind their decade-long success story, Miki Oca opted to move on after 12 years and started coaching the Chinese side.

Still, keeping in mind how strong the Spanish are at club level too – their teams contested the Champions League Women finals in back-to-back years – they will be the team to beat.

The Dutch have also kept the core of their European winners and Olympic bronze medallists together. The Greeks, champions at this April’s World Cup, haven’t changed their line-up much either – while Hungary and Italy have decided to call on the youngsters.

The Magyars’ new side left their mark in the World Cup, grabbing the silver, while the Italians are yet to make a splash. Maybe in Singapore they will…

Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

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