For the first time since the inaugural 1926 European Championships, the German men’s water polo team will be missing from the grand stage after they lost their final qualification game on Wednesday. The defeat came in Istanbul, where hosts Türkiye downed them 17-16 in the decisive match. As the 2026 European Championships qualifiers came to a close across the continent, Slovakia, Netherlands, Georgia and France finished first in their respective groups.

European Water Polo Championships
Men’s Qualifications, Day 4
Wednesday 11 June 2025

Group A (Kranj)

Czechia 10-17 Poland
Slovenia 9-19 Netherlands

Standings: 1. Netherlands 12pts, 2. Slovenia 9pts, 3. Great Britain 6pts, 4. Poland 3pts, 5. Czechia 0pts

Group B (Istanbul)

Slovakia 23-8 Finland
Türkiye 17-16 Germany

Standings: 1. Slovakia 12pts, 2. Türkiye 9pts, 3. Germany 6pts, 4. Sweden 3pts, 5. Finland 0pts

Group C (Tbilisi)

Bulgaria 14-13 Switzerland
Georgia 19-9 Israel

Standings: 1. Georgia 9pts, 2. Israel 6pts, 3. Bulgaria 3pts, 4. Switzerland 0pts

Group D (Gzira)

Ukraine 14-13 Portugal
Malta 14-15 France

Standings: 1. France 8pts, 2. Malta 7pts, 3. Ukraine 3pts, 4. Portugal 0pts

Germany have always had a presence at the European Championships, sometimes as strong contenders, sometimes as the underdogs, and they’ve (almost) been at the top table every time. When they were not, like in 1947 and in 1950, it was only for political reasons (their entry was denied). Also in 1962, the West Germany team refused to take part at the Europeans in Leipzig, though East Germany played in that tournament. So, to be clear, when they were eligible, and politics didn’t intervene, they have always lined up at the start of the Europeans.

One hundred years after playing at the first European Championships – and grabbing the bronze medal – they now won’t go to Belgrade after losing their decisive qualification match to Türkiye in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Indeed, the writing was already on the wall after their devastating five-goal loss to Slovakia on the opening day. Because of that, it all came down to this last match against the hosts. And the Türks, enjoying all the advantages of playing at home, managed to take the upper hand in a game of several twists and turns.

The lead was changing hands constantly, as the Germans led 2-3, then the home side responded with three connecting goals, then came a German 0-3 rush for 5-6, but at half-time, Türkiye were 8-7 ahead.

Early in the third, after burying two penalties in 56 seconds, the hosts jumped to 11-8 and sat comfortably in the driving seat… Only to see the Germans catching a wave and hitting four goals in a row.

Denis Strelezkij stepped up, as he fired in a hat-trick in 1:43 minutes and Mark Gansen also converted a penalty to make it 11-12 with 1:05 remaining.

The Germans then killed two man-downs and had a six on five to take a two-goal advantage for the first time in the match, but they missed it, which was crucial, as Engin Colak then equalised from the centre.

Just 55 seconds later, Efe Naipoglu scored from action, then, with 3:50 on the clock, Fatih Acar sent the ball home from the penalty line for 14-12.

From that point, it was a back-and-forth game, as Strelezkij pulled one back twice, but the Germans were unable to prevent the Türks from scoring from three connecting possessions.

And once they failed to respond, Atakan Destici’s man-up goal put the Türks into a winning position at 17-14 with 1:27 to play.

Strelezkij tried to create a miracle single-handedly, hitting two goals in 41 seconds for 17-16 – his eigth and ninth of the game – but only 29 seconds remained.

And then it was all over when a red card was given to Zoran Bozic with 11 seconds to go and the Türks celebrated their eighth qualification since 1966 and their first since 2021.

The Germans, after participating in 33 editions, will have to watch the Belgrade action from home.

Also in Istanbul, Slovakia completed their brilliant set of results with a 23-8 thrashing of Finland, after kicking off with a powerful 7-0 opening period.

Elsewhere, in the other three groups, the two qualifying spots had already been booked the day before, but the top ranks were still to be decided.

Georgia beat Israel with ease in Tbilisi, while the Netherlands did the same against Slovenia in Kranj – with both matches ending with the same scoreline – 19-9.

A bit unexpectedly, the showdown between France and Malta went all the way to penalties, as the favourites France found it surprisingly tough to overcome the hosts.

Malta were 7-3 up early in the third, which was remarkable since many of the French players had returned to Gzira two weeks after playing there for Marseille in the Champions League Final Four (the home players could only dream of reaching similar heights).

The evening clash was an epic battle and one the home supporters will remember for some time, especially as the Maltese were superior for three periods – they were leading 8-6 with eight minutes remaining.

Steven Camilleri’s 6m shot even put them 9-6 ahead with 5:30 on the clock, but the French stepped up in the last few minutes and with 1:17 to go, Thomas Vernoux finally equalised at 9-9.

The hosts weren’t done, though, as Sam Gialanze took back the lead from action with 47 seconds remaining, but Enzo Nardon made it even again, with just 0:25 to play.

Malta earned a late man-up, but they missed it, so the decision was left to the penalties.

In the end, one save made the difference, as Arshak Hovhannisyan made a stop in the second round of the shootout to deny Liam Galea, which was enough for the French to clinch the top spot after a game where they never led in regular time.