Seventeen spots are already taken, the remaining fifteen are to be filled this weekend when the qualification tournaments for the 2024 European Water Polo Championships take place at eight venues. Seven male and eight female teams can go through.
Seven spots are to be filled in the men’s qualification tournaments for the 2024 Europeans as host Israel have been added to the eight already qualified sides (teams finished 1-8th last September). It means that the four group-winners and the three best second-ranked teams will advance to the final tournament (based on the points gained, and in case of equality, the goal-difference will determine who can play in Israel in 2024).
Group C shall feature a barely seen participant, the Olympic title-holder Serbian team, which failed to reach the best eight in Split in 2022, thus they have to play for a championship berth. In that respect, Slovakia and Turkiye may be considered the unluckiest entrants as they have to face the top team and, most probably, only one of them can make the cut for January 2024.
As for the other groups, Netherlands will play at home and should have no headaches to go through and the Germans should also enjoy some easy cruising in Malta (first of all in the pool). Besides the biggest battle of the Turks and the Slovaks, Romania’s clash with the host Slovenians might promise some extra excitements.
As for the women’s competition, Israel managed to make the top eight, so here eight berths are available – as for the first time ever, 16 teams will play for the women’s title. Those sides playing in split, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Germany are the top favourites, the games played for the remaining four spots should offer some thrilling moments.
Follow all the action on our website: europeanaquatics.org
2024 European Water Polo Championships, Qualifications – 23-25 June
Men
Group A (in Netherlands): Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal
Group B (in Malta): Germany, Malta, Ukraine, Bulgaria
Group C (in Turkiye): Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, Great Britain
Group D (host Slovenia): Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Finland
Group winners and the three best ranked teams shall qualify.
Qualified teams for the Championships in Netanya (3-16 January):
Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Montenegro, Georgia, Israel (Organiser)
Women
Group A (in Bulgaria): Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria
Group B (in Romania): Romania, Switzerland, Turkiye, Sweden
Group C (in Serbia): Serbia, Ukraine, Czech Republic
Group D (in Portugal): Germany, Portugal, Finland, Great Britain
The top two ranked teams from each group shall qualify.
Qualified teams for the Championships in Netanya (3-16 January):
Spain, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Israel, France, Croatia
