Belgrade 2026: European Water Polo Championships Day 13 match previews
Men’s European Water Polo Championships, Belgrade 2026
Match previews, Day 13 – Thursday 22 January
(local times shown)
11th-12th Classification
12:45 Netherlands v Türkiye
• After almost beating Serbia on the opening day (and still gaining a point), playing this match should be an obvious disappointment for the Dutch team. It seems they were unable to keep a fine level of defending, conceding at least 14 goals in each match they played (with the exception of the only match they won against Israel in the group).
• Türkiye also have to bounce back from disappointment and they have had less than 24 hours for that, as they played a day later in the afternoon on Wednesday and despite leading for three periods against Georgia, they were blown away by their rivals. At the end, after their big win over Slovakia, which sent them to the top 12, they remained the only side in the field finishing Group Stage II with zero points.
• These two teams have met once before at the European Championships, when the Netherlands won 22-5 in 2018. Besides that, they played twice in the qualifications, in 2019, it was tied 8-8, then in 2022, when the Dutch were too strong again, 18-10. Their most recent encounter, however, was a thriller in the Division II tournament in the World Cup when the Dutch beat the Turks 16-15.
9th-10th Classification
15:15 France v Georgia
• With no chance to tie their best efforts at the recent editions, this match is more about prestige and finishing the tournament on a high. France were 6th in 2022, then they managed to finish 9th two years ago, and also here in Belgrade in 2016 – these are the second-best results for them in the new millenium.
• Georgia also came up with their finest result in Split 2022, when they clinched the 8th place – otherwise their final placement was always in double digits. A 9th place finish here would also be their second best ever.
• These two teams have faced off at the Europeans in four matches, France lead 3-1: 2014: 10-6, 2020: 7-9, 2022: 7-5, 2024: 12-6. Besides that, they’ve also met on three other occasions (qualification, World League, preps), with France winning all those matches.
7th-8th Classification
18:00 Montenegro v Romania
• Montenegro need to win to avoid setting a new low at the Europeans. Their worst-ever result was a 7th place in 2022. After making the semis five times in the first seven editions they entered since 2008, they have now missed the top four for the third straight occasion. They finished 6th two years ago.
• For the Romanians, to clinch the fourth place in this stage was the top target as this may be enough to make the cut for the 2027 World Championships – and they can play this game with a nothing-to-lose approach.
• Indeed, Romania have nothing to lose as they have had only losses against Montenegro. Their head-to-head stands at 15-0 since 2009.
• At the Europeans, they had the following results – 2014: 13-8, 2018: 15-5, 2022: 13-8, 2024: 18-11.
• Following their clash at the previous Europeans in 2024, they also played at the Worlds in Doha (12-9) and then at the Olympics (10-7) – which was their last match to date.
5th-6th Classification
20:30 Spain v Croatia
• What a difference two years can make – back in 2024, on 16 January, these two teams clashed in the European final in Zagreb where the title and the Olympic berth was at stake. Spain then egded out the Croats 11-10 in a thriller (and also took revenge for their shootout loss on the opening day).
• Now this is a contest for the two most disappointed teams in Belgrade, as both were one win away to make the semis, but both lost their do-or-die clash in the last round of Group Stage II. It’s yet to be seen which loss will be harder to recover from – Spain’s agonising defeat from Hungary in a penalty shootout, or Croatia’s fall to Italy, and they have had only 24 hours to leave that bitterness behind.
• The Croats were unable to get rid of their bad luck in Belgrade – they have missed the top four now at all three editions here – back in 2006 and 2016 they finished 7th. Also, after their glorious 2024 season with three straight finals (Europeans, Worlds, Olympics), they failed to make the podium in the 2025 World Cup (4th), the World Championships (5th) and here in Belgrade.
• Spain also saw a big run come to an end on Wednesday. After making the podium at the last 11 major events since 2018 (with the exceptions of the two Olympics), including reaching the final in eight events (2 Worlds, 3 Europeans, 2 World Cups), now they will leave Belgrade empty-handed.
• At the Europeans, they have met on 10 occasions, Croatia lead 6-3 with one game finishing in a draw. Their grand total is more balanced: 68 matches, 30-31 to Spain with 7 draws.
• Recently, they have clashed only in high-stake matches – the Croats took their revenge for the Zagreb loss later at the Paris Olympics where they upset the Spaniards in the quarter-finals, 10-8.
• Last year, Spain beat them in the World Cup knockout stages twice – first in the quarters of the Division One tournament in Otopeni, 15-14, then in April in the semis of the World Cup finals, winning 19-14.
• Other big-time matches included three semi-finals at majors, all won by Spain: 2022 Worlds: 10-5, 2020 Europeans: 9-8, 2019 Worlds: 6-5.
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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics
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