Elite officials meet to further enhance refereeing standards ahead of European Water Polo Championships

Europe’s leading water polo officials logged on from across the continent on Monday evening for the European Aquatics Water Polo Referees Advanced Certification Course, a major online educational event designed to further raise refereeing standards ahead of the forthcoming men’s and women’s European Championships, and the second half of the 2025/26 European club season.

Held via Zoom on 5 January 2026 and lasting more than three hours, the clinic brought together all referees and delegates appointed for the upcoming European Championships in Belgrade and Funchal, underlining European Aquatics’ continued commitment to high-quality, consistent officiating at the highest level.

The successful event – which was attended by more than 90 elite officials – marked the second edition of the Advanced Certification Course, with organisers highlighting the benefits of the programme are already visible in the improved and more consistent performances of referees across Europe.

European Aquatics President Mr Antonio Silva officially opened the clinic on Monday, welcoming participants and stressing the vital role referees and delegates play in safeguarding the fairness, flow and integrity of the sport.

This was followed by a comprehensive review of the 2025/2026 season so far, delivered by Mr Andy I.M. Hoepelman, Chairman of the European Aquatics Delegates and Referees Commission (DRC), who also led an in-depth session on impeding in water polo.

Technical and tactical aspects of the sport were explored in great detail throughout the evening.

Mr Tamas Molnar, Chairman of the World Aquatics Technical Water Polo Committee and Vice-Chairman of the EA TWPC, analysed centre forward–centre defender play, while Ms Stavroula Kozompoli, World Aquatics TWPC Secretary and EA DRC Member, focused on characteristic situations specific to women’s water polo.

Penalty fouls were addressed by EA DRC Member Mr Angel Moliner, before the clinic concluded with Mr Dejan Perisic, European Aquatics Technical Officials Manager for Water Polo, examining simulation, aggressive behaviour and violent play during games.

Now in its second year, the Advanced Certification Course has become a cornerstone of European Aquatics’ referee development pathway.

Feedback from officials has been overwhelmingly positive, with clearer interpretations, improved positioning and greater consistency evident across all competitions.

“Monday’s lectures provided all the referees and delegates with the best possible preparation for the forthcoming men’s and women’s European Championships,” stated Dejan Perisic.

“They are also important for continuing to raise standards for the second half of the continental club season, which will resume in February.

“In addition, Advanced educational clinics will be held for all participating table jury officials before the start of each European Championships in Belgrade and Funchal.

“European Aquatics will also provide more courses prior to the final stages of each club competition – all four men’s finals and all four women’s finals – in order to provide all of the officials with the very best education.

“We want to protect the integrity of all European Aquatics competitions and show the greatest respect to all participants by providing the highest level of water polo technical officials.”

From 15 January, all of the online lectures from Monday’s Advanced Certification Course will be available free of charge to all the invited participants.

Other officials will be able to access the material by registering for a fee on the EA Academy online education platform, allowing referees at all levels to study the sessions and continue raising the standard of officiating on poolsides across Europe.

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