Belgrade 2026 Water Polo: Day 1 Match Previews & Predictions! (2026)

Belgrade 2026: Day 1 Match Previews

Men's European Water Polo Championships, Belgrade 2026

Match Previews, Day 1 - Saturday, January 10 (local times shown)

Group A:

1. 15:15 Hungary vs. France:

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   • Hungary, the all-time medal leader with 13 titles and 26 medals, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of their first European title in 1926. They've had a strong run in recent years, missing the semis only once in 16 editions and claiming 13 medals.
   • France, who achieved their best result with a silver medal in 1927, has been improving, finishing in the top 8 until 1958 and 6th in Split in 2022. However, they dropped to 9th place two years ago.
   • The teams met twice in the recent prep season, with Hungary winning both games, including a shootout victory.
   • Their last European encounter was in 2014, with Hungary winning 12-7.
   • The coaches, Zsolt Varga of Hungary and Vjekoslav Kobescak of France, have a long-standing friendship, having played together in Mladost Zagreb in the late 1990s.

2. 18:00 Malta vs. Montenegro:

   • Malta, making their sixth European Championships appearance, typically finishes in 15th or 16th place, with a best finish of 14th in 2022.
   • Montenegro, who debuted in 2008, won the European title in Malaga immediately. They've reached the semis four times and won silver in 2012 and 2016. In recent years, they finished 6th in 2024.
   • The teams met once in 2018, with Montenegro winning 17-5.
   • Montenegro's coach, Dejan Savic, led Serbia to European triumph in 2016 in the Belgrade Arena.

Group C:

1. 12:45 Israel vs. Spain:

   • Israel, making their fourth European Championships appearance, finished 12th in Split and 16th in Zagreb/Dubrovnik in the last two editions.
   • Spain, who finally won the European Championship in 2024, has been consistent, making the podium in 11 of the last 12 major events, except for the Olympics.
   • This is the first match between the two teams.
   • Spain has only one regular-time loss in the last four European Championships, to Hungary in the 2022 semi-finals.

2. 20:30 Netherlands vs. Serbia:

   • The Netherlands, who won bronze in 1938, struggled until 1993 but has improved, finishing in the top 8 since then. Their best finish was 9th in 1997.
   • Serbia, the host nation, has five titles since gaining independence and eight European golds since 2001. They had a remarkable run from 2001 to 2018, winning seven golds.
   • However, Serbia has struggled in recent years, missing the semis in the last three editions and finishing without medals in the last five World Championships and World Cups.
   • The teams have met in three straight European Championships, with Serbia winning each time. However, the Netherlands managed to beat Croatia 13-12 in Rotterdam, while Serbia struggled to win matches.
   • When Serbia won gold in 2006 as hosts, it triggered a strong run by host nations in subsequent championships, with eight wins or finals appearances in the last 10 editions.