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European Water Polo Championships in Budapest – 23 teams are ready to rock!
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For a record fifth time, Budapest will stage the European Water Polo Championships from Sunday. The two-week spectacle takes place in the renowned Duna Arena and it’s going to see tremendous battles as one Olympic berth apiece is at stake in the men’s and the women’s tournament.
“We are always happy to come to Budapest, it’s a true home of water polo where great atmosphere and successful events are guaranteed” said LEN Vice-‐President Fernando Carpena who, on behalf of the LEN Family and President Paolo Barelli, welcomed the attendees at the opening press conference of the 34th European Water Polo Championships.
“With the Olympic qualification is at stake, this event is one of the most important tournaments this year and we are delighted that our teams can play in such a terrific venue as the Duna Arena” Mr Carpena added.
Budapest welcomes the best water polo teams for the fifth time after 1926, 1958, 2001 and 2014, which is a record in the history of the event (until 1997 water polo was part of the ‘big Europeans’). Though this is going to be the first time when the event is held indoors in the Hungarian capital after memorable editions staged in the legendary Alfred Hajos complex on the Margaret Island.
“Thanks to ten months of dedicated work, it’s going to be a successful meet and hopefully one of the best-‐ever European Championships” said Attila Vári, President of the Hungarian Water Polo Federation.
“We hope our guests will be satisfied what we can offer here. Ee are kind of obliged to do our very best, based on our traditions and the experiences we gained in the recent years while organising one big event after the other.”
The press conference offered a rare scene, as LEN Operational Manager Marco Birri highlighted it, since five Olympic champion of different ages sat next to each other: LEN Bureau Liaison Aleksandar Sostar (Seoul 1988 with Yugoslavia), LEN TWPC Chairman Gianni Lonzi (Rome 1960 with Italy), HWPF President Attila Vari (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 with Hungary), Hungary’s head coach Tamas Marcz (Sydney 2000) and team captain Denes Varga (Beijing 2008). “This demonstrates the strength of our sport and the quality and appreciation of our champions” Mr Birri added. He also noted that both the expansion of the event to feature 28 teams (16 men, 12 women) and to hold the Olympic-‐year editions in January proved to be an enormous success.
