The 2026 Men's European Water Polo Championship final was the final match of the 2026 Men's European Water Polo Championship, the 37th edition of the biannual continental tournament in men's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The match was played at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, on 25 January 2026, and was contested by hosts Serbia and Hungary.
The tournament comprised hosts Serbia and 15 other teams. The 16 teams competed in a group stage, from which 12 teams qualified for the main round and 4 later advanced to the semifinals.
For Serbia, it is their seventh final (as Serbia) and it is the 21st final for the Hungarians. This is the third time they have met each other in a European Championship final after 2006 and 2014, with the Serbians winning both times. Both sides had already met each other earlier in the tournament, with the Serbs winning 15–14. Their last appearances for Serbia and Hungary in the final were in 2016 and 2022 respectively.
Serbia won their ninth title after beating the Hungarians 10–7 in the final.
Background The 2026 Men's European Water Polo Championship is the 37th edition of the biannual continental tournament in men's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The tournament takes place from 10 to 25 January 2026. This edition marks the 100 year anniversary of the championships. This edition is the first one ever to have a 25 meter swimming pool, down from 30 meters.
The competition was held in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, for the third time. This was the second edition to have different hosts for both genders after European Aquatics made the change permanent in March 2025. This edition will also witness a new format, introducing a second group stage.
Route to the final Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first. Round Opponent Result Preliminary round Opponent Result 18–16 PSO Match 1 15–7 12–11 Match 2 13–10 19–9 Match 3 21–6 Group C placement Final standings Group A placement Opponent Result Main round Opponent Result 14–10 Match 4 16–11 15–14 Match 5 14–15 13–15 Match 6 15–14 PSO Group E placement Final standings Group E placement Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result 17–13 Semifinals 15–12
Venue
The Belgrade Arena hosted the final. This will be the second time they host the final after 2016.
BelgradeBelgrade ArenaCapacity: 18,386
Match
Sources:
+PlayerGoals2Dušan Mandić4/820:5013Strahinja Rašović0/210:1314Sava Ranđelović0/17:2305Miloš Ćuk6Đorđe Lazić1/212:1207Radomir Drašović1/23:4108Nikola Jakšić0/227:2119Nemanja Vico1/19:51010Nikola Dedović0/29:52011Petar Jakšić06:42012Viktor Rašović0/122:57114Vasilije Martinović1/429:5611/415Nikola Lukić2/726:391GoalkeepersPlayerGoals1Radoslav Filipović13Milan Glušac11/18 (61.1%)32:000Head coachUroš Stevanović
Statistics10/32Goals7/346Assists51/4Sprints3/4
+TimeoutsTeam01010011
+PlayerGoals2Dániel Angyal3Krisztián Manhercz0/623:0904Nagy Ákos1/411:1205Vince Vigvári0/119:1636Ádám Nagy0/519:0317Gergő Fekete1/318:2518Tátrai Dávid0/212:3609Péter Kovács013:02010Vigvári Vendel3/419:1903/311Szilárd Jansik1/519:46012Benedek Batizi14Vismeg Zsombor0/19:07015Vince Varga1/319:0600/1GoalkeepersPlayerGoals1Csoma Kristóf13Soma Vogel6/16 (37.5%)31:210Head coachZsolt Varga
Assistant referees: Alexander de Raffaele Peter de Jong Video assistant referee: Eurico Silva Timekeepers: Raffaele Colombo Mihai Balanescu TWPC Delegates: Filippo Gomez Milivoj BebićMatch rules Four quarters of eight minutes (32 minutes in total). Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Squads NameDate of birthPos.ClubRadoslav Filipović Radnički KragujevacDušan Mandić FTC-TelekomStrahinja Rašović Radnički KragujevacSava Ranđelović Radnički KragujevacMiloš Ćuk VK Novi BeogradĐorđe Lazić Jadran m:tel Herceg NoviRadomir Drašović CN MarseilleNikola Jakšić (C) Radnički KragujevacNemanja Vico VK Primorac KotorNikola Dedović Radnički KragujevacPetar Jakšić Radnički KragujevacViktor Rašović Radnički KragujevacMilan Glusac VK Novi BeogradVasilije Martinović VK Novi BeogradNikola Lukić VK Novi Beograd
NameDate of birthPos.ClubCsoma Kristóf Budapesti Honvéd SEDániel Angyal Olympiacos PiraeusKrisztián Manhercz (C) FTC-TelekomNagy Ákos FTC-TelekomVince Vigvári CN BarcelonaÁdám Nagy CN MarseilleGergő Fekete FTC-TelekomTátrai Dávid BVSC Manna ABCPéter Kovács BVSC Manna ABCVigvári Vendel FTC-TelekomSzilárd Jansik FTC-TelekomBenedek Batizi BVSC Manna ABCSoma Vogel FTC-TelekomVismeg Zsombor FTC-TelekomVince Varga FTC-Telekom
References
External links
Official website Second official website in Serbian