European Water Polo Championship Officially Opens in Belgrade

The European Water Polo Championship was ceremonially opened in Belgrade. The competition officially begins with first-round matches in Groups A and C at the Arena and concludes with the final on January 25.

10.01.2026. 15:14

European Water Polo Championship Officially Opens in Belgrade
Foto: Tanjug/Miloš Milivojević

The opening ceremony of the 37th European Championship was attended by the President of the European Aquatics Federation (EA) Antonio Jose Silva, EA Vice President Vanja Udovicic, President of World Aquatics Husain Al Musallam, Serbian Minister of Sports Zoran Gajic, State Secretary Marko Keselj, President of the Serbian Olympic Committee Dejan Tomasevic, and President of the Serbian Water Polo Federation Viktor Jelenic, among others.

Following 2006 and 2016, this marks the third time that Serbia’s capital has hosted the continental championship.
Addresses were delivered by Husain Al Musallam, Antonio Jose Silva, Minister Zoran Gajic, Viktor Jelenic, and former water polo player Igor Milanovic.

The national anthem of Serbia was performed by the children’s choir Carolija.

This was followed by a ceremonial parade of the flags of all participating teams in the European Championship.

During the ceremony, the official ball to be used at the championship was presented, as well as the medals that will be awarded at this continental tournament in Belgrade.

EA First Vice President Josip Varvodic presented Spaniard Alvaro Granados with the award for Europe’s Best Water Polo Player of 2025.

Serbia’s water polo team will compete in Group C alongside title holders Spain, as well as the Netherlands and Israel. Group A includes Malta, France, Montenegro, and Hungary. Group B consists of Slovenia, Greece, Croatia, and Georgia. Group D features Turkey, Romania, Italy, and Slovakia.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the semifinal groups, with Groups A and C crossing over, as well as Groups B and D. Results from the preliminary groups will be carried over, and from the semifinal groups, the top two teams will advance to the semifinals.

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