The 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship final was the final match of the 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship, the 21st edition of the biannual continental tournament in women's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The match was played at Olympic Swimming Pool Complex in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on 5 February 2026, and was contested by Hungary and defending champions Netherlands.
The tournament comprised hosts Portugal and 15 other teams. The 16 teams competed in a group stage, from which 8 teams qualified for the main round and 4 later advanced to the semifinals.
For Hungary, it is their eleventh final and it is also the twelfth final for the Dutch. This is the sixth time they have met each other in a European Championship final after 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2016, with Hungary winning three times and the other two being won by the Netherlands. Both sides had already met each other earlier in the tournament, with the Dutch winning 5–4. Their last appearances for Hungary and Netherlands in the final were in 2016 and 2024 respectively.
Netherlands defended their title with a 15–13 penalty shootout win over Hungary.
Background The 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship is the 21st edition of the biannual continental tournament in women's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The tournament takes place from 26 January to 5 February 2026. This edition is the first one ever to have a 25 meter swimming pool, down from 30 meters.
The competition was held in Madeira's capital, Funchal, for the first 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 9–7 Match 1 14–4 28–3 Match 2 28–2 28–4 Match 3 23–6 Group B placement Final standings Group D placement Opponent Result Main round Opponent Result 4–5 Match 4 5–4 22–6 Match 5 13–16 PSO Group F placement Final standings Group F placement Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result 12–11 PSO Semifinals 8–4
Venue
The Olympic Swimming Pool Complex hosted the final. This will be the first time they host the final.
FunchalOlympic Swimming Pool ComplexCapacity: 850
Match
Sources:
+PlayerGoals2Dorottya Szilágyi0/123:0803Vanda Vályi2/323:1233/44Eszter Varró2/512:4805Dalma Dömsödi0/114:0906Nóra Sümegi0/17:4107Tekla Aubéli06:0108Rita Keszthelyi2/526:0929Dóra Leimeter0/19:53010Nataša Rybanská0/210:31011Kamilla Faragó0/225:20012Krisztina Garda2/516:09014Panna Tiba2/414:02015Kata HajdúGoalkeepersPlayerGoals1Boglárka Neszmély6/16 (37.5%)32:00013Szonja GolopenczaHead coachCseh Sándor
Statistics10/34Goals10/355Assists33/4Sprints1/4
PenaltiesGarda 1–1 L. RoggeKeszthelyi 1–2 KeuningLeimeter 2–3 Van de KraatsSzilágyi 3–4 Schaap3–5 Moolhuijzen
+TimeoutsTeam01010002
+PlayerGoals2Christina Hicks010:4303Simone van de Kraats3/925:2711/14Maxine Schaap0/211:2400/25Maartje Keuning2/625:0706Fleurien Bosveld2/210:1600/17Bente Rogge021:5218Noa de Vries0/18:3109Kitty-Lynn Joustra1/113:18010Lieke Rogge1/522:22111Lola Moolhuijzen1/417:36012Nina ten Broek016:54014Pien Gorter05:28015Linde HaksteenGoalkeepersPlayerGoals1Laura Aarts10/20 (50%)32:00013Britt van den DobbelsteenHead coach Evangelos Doudesis
Assistant referees: Joao Pinheiro Maria Barbosa Video assistant referee: Lea Saftic Timekeepers: Soraia Crespo Bruno Martins TWPC Delegates: Angel Moliner Aysem OzalpMatch rules Four quarters of eight minutes (32 minutes in total). Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Squads NameDate of birthPos.Boglárka NeszmélyDorottya SzilágyiVanda VályiEszter VarróDalma DömsödiNóra SümegiTekla AubéliRita Keszthelyi (C)Dóra LeimeterNataša RybanskáKamilla FaragóKrisztina GardaSzonja GolopenczaPanna TibaKata Hajdú
NameDate of birthPos.Laura AartsChristina HicksSimone van de KraatsMaxine SchaapMaartje Keuning (C)Fleurien BosveldBente RoggeNoa de VriesKitty-Lynn JoustraLieke RoggeLola MoolhuijzenNina ten BroekBritt van den DobbelsteenPien GorterLinde Haksteen
References
External links
Official website Second official website