Madeira’s capital Funchal will host the continent’s finest water polo stars from 26 January-5 February, as 16 nations battle it out for glory at the 21st women’s European Water Polo Championships. With just three months to go until the start of another captivating tournament, European Aquatics takes a look at all the qualified teams.

Netherlands

The Netherlands will arrive in Madeira as defending champions and the most decorated side in European Championships history. Their triumph on home soil in Eindhoven in 2024 – thanks to a thrilling victory against Spain in the final – reasserted their continental dominance and denied the mighty Spanish a third successive crown. The Dutch have six European titles, four silvers and three bronzes, and they are currently riding high on the world stage as well. Bronze medals at both the Paris 2024 Olympics and the 2025 World Cup were more clear demonstrations of their power. Fifth-place finishes at the past two World Championships suggest some vulnerability, but few would bet against them finishing on top of the podium once again in Funchal.

Best European finish: 1st place – six times (1985, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2018 & 2024)

Current ranking: 3rd

Hungary

No nation has appeared on the European Championships podium more often than Hungary. With 14 medals – three gold, five silver and six bronze – they always start every major tournament among the favourites, and in Funchal it will be no different. Silver medals at the 2022, 2024 and 2025 World Championships, and at the 2025 World Cup, suggest they might be on the verge of ending their decade-long gold drought. Rita Keszthelyi, who was joint top scorer in Eindhoven and MVP at the 2025 World Championships, will be one of Hungary’s key players aiming to help guide them to glory in 2026.

Best European finish: 1st place – three times (1991, 2001 & 2016)

Current ranking: 4th

Spain

After winning back-to-back European titles in 2020 and 2022, Spain fell just short of a historic hat-trick when they were narrowly defeated by the Netherlands in the 2024 final. Redemption came swiftly, however, as they claimed Olympic gold in Paris – the pinnacle of their golden generation – just a few months later. With bronze medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Championships as well, Spain have developed a habit of standing on podiums. With a strong roster, which includes several Champions League winners, and former assistant coach Jordi Valls now at the helm, they will again start as one of the favourites in 2026.

Best European finish: 1st place – three times (2014, 2020 & 2022)

Current ranking: 1st

Greece

The European crown is one major title that has so far eluded Greece. Four times runners-up, once bronze medallists, and always in the conversation, the Greeks will land in Madeira with a sense of unfinished business. Fresh from a magnificent double triumph in 2025 – sweeping the World Championships and World Cup titles by beating Hungary in both finals – Greece are flying high, full of confidence, and aiming to end their long wait for European gold.

Best European finish: 2nd place – four times (2010, 2012, 2018 & 2022)

Current ranking: 2nd

Italy

Italy’s rich water polo heritage remains formidable, but their recent form hasn’t matched their high expectations. Five-time European champions and perennial contenders, they remain second only to the Netherlands in the all-time medal table. But the joys of Eindhoven 2012 – when Italy last lifted the trophy – feel a distant echo after their fourth-place finish in the very same pool in 2024. Disappointing seventh-place finishes at both the 2024 and 2025 World Championships, coupled with sixth at the Olympics and World Cup, have raised questions, yet Italy are still a team that’s capable of causing any side problems.

Best European finish: 1st place – five times (1995, 1997, 1999, 2003 & 2012)

Current ranking: 5th

France

The steady upward curve of French women’s water polo has been one of the quieter success stories of the past decade. Their sixth-place finish in Eindhoven in 2024 improved on a long streak of sevenths (2014-2022), and was a cause for optimism ahead of the Paris Olympics. A memorable win over Italy there was another positive, even though they failed to make the knockout phase. Results at global level – 13th and 12th at the recent World Championships – show their progress remains gradual, for now, and a return to the French glory days of the late Eighties still seems a way off.

Best European finish: 3rd place – twice (1987 & 1989)

Current ranking: 7th

Great Britain

Great Britain’s return to the elite tier has re-energised the sport domestically. Seventh in Eindhoven, their best finish in over a decade, saw them earn a World Championships berth for the first time in 11 years. Consecutive 11th-place finishes followed on the global stage, and the signs remain promising they’re here to stay this time. Their core of Lily Turner, Kathy Rogers and Toula Falvey have benefited from experience at top European clubs and brought a sharper edge to the national side. Confidence and cohesion continues to grow and another top-eight finish could be within their grasp.

Best European finish: 6th place (1985)

Current ranking: 11th

Croatia

Long overshadowed by their celebrated men’s team, Croatia’s women have begun carving out a reputation of their own. Successive eighth-place finishes at the last two European Championships matched their best-ever result (in 2010) and hints at further potential. The Butić sisters – Jelana, Ivana and Magdalena – alongside the impressive Iva Rozić, are leading a talented, emerging generation. Competitive and improving all the time, Croatia will aim to take another step up in Madeira.

Best European finish: 8th place – three times (2010, 2022 & 2024)

Current ranking: 6th

Portugal

Portugal’s qualification felt timely even before Funchal was confirmed as host city for 2026. Convincing victories over Romania (13-7) and Czechia (18-12) in Setúbal in the summer ensured their return to the European stage for the first time since 2016, when they finished 10th. This will be only their fourth appearance, but home advantage – and a buoyant crowd – could make them awkward opponents. Win or lose, Portugal’s games will provide plenty of entertainment in and out of the pool.

Best European finish: 10th place (2016)

Current ranking: 20th

Romania

Romania’s gradual consolidation at continental level continues. After finishing 11th in 2022 and 14th in 2024, they clinched qualification for a third successive time with a dramatic 12–11 victory over Czechia in Setubal. It was a huge achievement, especially as they were missing their attacking talisman Alina-Ioana Olteanu, who was joint top scorer in Eindhoven. Still a developing side, Romania have the capacity to trouble more established nations when their offence clicks.

Best European finish: 11th place (2022)

Current ranking: 13th

Germany

Germany are familiar faces at the European Championships, having featured in almost every edition since the tournament began – the sole exception coming in 2014 when they fell short behind France and Spain in qualifying. Bronze medallists at the very first edition in Oslo 1985, they were once a model of consistency, racking up 16 top-eight finishes. But the past few years have seen their levels dip. An 11th-place showing in Eindhoven and 10th in Split tell their own story of a side searching for its old rhythm. But, under the new stewardship of former Waspo 98 coach Karsten Seehafer, Germany comfortably qualified for Funchal – dispatching Türkiye and Malta in Hannover without fuss, and with Gesa Deike expertly leading the team alongside Bélen Vosseberg, the joint top scorer at the last Euros, they have the firepower to revive the nation’s fortunes. Seehafer has also already tasted success with his squad after guiding the young Germans to the gold at the 2025 World University Games in Duisburg.

Best European finish: 3rd place (1985)

Current ranking: 10th

Türkiye

This will be Türkiye’s fourth European appearance, which reflects the nation’s steady growth in the women’s game. Their 13th-place finish in Eindhoven came with bright individual displays from Dilara Burali and prolific scorer Kübra Kuş, who netted 20 goals to rank among the tournament’s top four scorers. Strong domestic competition – notably between İzmir Büyükşehir SK and Galatasaray Zena, finalists in last season’s Challenger Cup – is also helping to raise standards. Türkiye comfortably finished second in their qualification group behind Germany and will look to climb the rankings in Madeira.

Best European finish: 12th place – twice (2016 & 2018)

Current ranking: 14th

Serbia

Serbia’s women have spent years striving to emerge from the shadows of their illustrious men’s team, and signs of progress are clear. They stormed through qualification in Novi Sad, thrashing Finland, Ukraine and Switzerland by wide margins to book their spot in Funchal with ease. Ana Milicevic was again their standout performer, firing in 15 goals in three games after also ranking among the top scorers at the 2024 Europeans. A repeat of their best-ever finish – eighth in 2006 – could be an achievable goal in 2026.

Best European finish: 8th place (2006)

Current ranking: 9th

Switzerland

After three decades away, Switzerland’s return to the European Championships is a story of quiet determination. Their second-place finish in the Novi Sad qualifiers, behind Serbia, but ahead of Ukraine and Finland, marked a triumphant return to the top table. Having last appeared in 1995, the Swiss will bring fresh enthusiasm to Funchal. The task now is to translate that energy into competitiveness against Europe’s elite.

Best European finish: 10th place (1993)

Current ranking: 18th

Israel

Israel’s steady rise since debuting in 2018 has served as a great source of inspiration for other developing nations. Their breakthrough came in 2022, when they finished sixth in Split, and Funchal will mark their fifth successive appearance at the European Championships. Ninth place in Eindhoven, after a penalty-shootout defeat to Great Britain, left them frustrated, especially after the suspension of star player Alma Yaacobi before that crucial crossover. Comprehensive qualification victories over Slovakia and Sweden in the summer show their progress remains on track.

Best European finish: 6th place (2022)

Current ranking: 8th

Slovakia

Slovakia’s perseverance continues to pay dividends. After a 27-year absence from the competition, they’ve now qualified for four straight editions. Their eighth-place finish in 2020 remains the high point, though they fell to 15th in Eindhoven. Hosting their qualification group in Nováky proved successful, with a 16–7 win over Sweden securing their place in Funchal behind Israel. Slovakia will arrive aiming to be competitive and an improvement on their 2024 finish should be deemed a success.

Best European finish: 8th place (2020)

Current ranking: 12th

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics