Title-holder Hungary and Olympic
champion Serbia clash already in the prelims, while host Croatia takes on
Olympic silver medallist Greece in the group stage of the men’s tournament –
just to highlight a couple of the outstanding clashes the draw for the 2022
European Water Polo Championships set up this evening in Split.
The draw took place amidst
spectacular settings, at Diocletian’s Place in the old town of Split, the host
city of the 2022 European Water Polo Championships. 1800 years after the palace
was built, the continent – the aquatics family for sure – set its eyes on the
former Roman emperors’ magnificent fortress once more.
The Europeans are set to return to
Croatia for the third time: in 1983 the water polo competition was part of the
‘big Europeans’ held in Split, while in 2010 Zagreb hosted the event. At the
end of the summer, Europe’s best national teams will play in the mighty
Spaladium Arena, the multisport-venue constructed in 2008 to host the men’s
handball World Championships and it has been site for a series of major sport
events and concerts ever since. It can accommodate more than 10,000 fans so the
players can get ready for some noise.
Before the draw, LEN First
Vice-President Josip Varvodic, Croatian WP Federation President Mladen Drnasin
and the legendary goalie, Olympic and world champion Josip Pavic – also member
of the golden Croatian side in Zagreb 2010 – welcomed the audience, then LEN
TWPC Chair Angel Moliner and LEN Operation Manager Marco Birri took the stage
to conduct the draw.
Josip Pavic rejoined them in the
company of a Croatian handball legend, Olympic and world champion Petar
Metlicic, two-time Olympic champion water polo legend Deni Lusic and Olympic
medallist high-jumper Blanka Vasic to pick the balls from the pots which were
somewhat reshuffled after the Russian teams were banned from both the men’s and
women’s tournaments.
As for the outcome of the draw, the
highlight of the men’s tournament’s prelims is definitely the clash of Olympic
champion Serbia and title-holder Hungary, just as the battle of world champion
Italy and Montenegro, and host Croatia has also a tough challenge while facing
Olympic silver medallist Greece. The upcoming French team may also give these
two a tough time, while newcomer Israel is to see some hard moments against the
Serbs and the Hungarians. 2020 runner-up Spain might have an easier run but the
fight for the other ranks shall be exciting among Romania, Netherlands and
Germany.
In the women’s competition the
Mediterranean derby of Italy and Spain offer a mouth-watering match-up – just
like previously in Budapest. In the other group Hungary and the Netherlands are
to replay the bronze medal game of the previous edition. Greece is also in this
group to face the Magyars once more after 2020.
The championships kick off on 27
August, the women’s final is on 9 September, while the men’s title is to be
decided on 10 September.
Women’s tournament
Group A: Hungary, Netherlands,
Greece, Germany, Croatia, Romania
Group B: Spain, Italy, France,
Serbia, Israel, Slovakia
Men’s tournament
Group A: Montenegro, Italy, Georgia,
Slovakia
Group B: Croatia, Greece, France,
Malta
Group C: Spain, Romania, Netherlands,
Germany
Group D: Hungary, Serbia, Israel,
Slovenia
The schedule shall be released after
consultations of the TV broadcasters.
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