Brigitte Sleeking has officially drawn the curtain on a glittering international career.
After more than eight years at the heart of the Dutch women’s national water polo team, the 27-year-old announced her retirement from international competition, stepping away from the sport that brought her world titles, Olympic bronze, and countless unforgettable memories.
“It’s time,” she shared on Instagram. “How beautiful it was… you can only see that at the end—or right after.”
Sleeking, who made her debut in 2017 in a World Cup match against Greece, leaves behind a legacy few can match. Since pulling on the orange cap for the first time, she has played in four European Championships, four World Championships, and two Olympic Games. Her career has been packed with silverware: gold at the 2018 and 2024 European Championships, a world title in 2023, and an Olympic bronze from Paris in 2024.
But after the Games, Sleeking stepped back—and realised something had changed.
“After Paris, I took a long break and skipped the first round of the World Cup in January,” she explained. “I did return to training in Rotterdam, but I quickly noticed the joy and motivation were no longer there. At that point, you have to be honest—with yourself, your teammates, and the staff.”
Her decision, though difficult, comes at a natural moment of transition. Sleeking leaves the team at the top of her game. The final chapters of her international story—bronze in Paris, world gold in Fukuoka, and a home European title in front of a sea of orange fans in Eindhoven—are moments she’ll cherish forever.
“Winning in a sold-out pool in Eindhoven was truly unforgettable,” she said. “And the bronze medal match against the United States in Paris… playing in front of friends, family, and loved ones, then turning the game around in the final seconds—those are moments you can’t match.”
Sleeking famously converted the decisive fifth penalty in the shootout against Spain in the World Championship final in Fukuoka—a moment symbolic of her nerve and class under pressure.
A remarkable club career
At club level, Sleeking’s journey has been equally dynamic. Starting at MNC Dordrecht and ZVL-1886, she took her talents abroad, playing for CN Sant Andreu in Spain and later for Greek giants Olympiakos and Vouliagmeni. Between her overseas stints, she returned to GZC Donk in her hometown of Gouda—a club she still represents today.
Going forward, Sleeking plans to take a step back from elite competition and focus on her personal and professional life. “First, I need to switch off from top-level sport,” she said. “Right now, I’m ready for more freedom and to spend time on other things.”
Tributes pour in
The announcement sparked an outpouring of praise from former coaches and teammates.
Arno Havenga, who gave Sleeking her debut, called her “one of the best players in Oranje and in the world,” describing her as a joy to coach and a “fantastic person.”
Evangelos Doudedis, the current national coach, was equally admiring: “Brigitte was the conductor of a fantastic orchestra—a role model for young girls in water polo. She’s humble, hard-working, and always put the team first. We will miss her deeply, but I respect her decision. She’s ready for a new chapter, and we must now learn to play without her.”
A farewell full of gratitude
In a heartfelt statement, Sleeking thanked those who supported her throughout her journey—from family to friends, teammates to coaches.
“I can never thank everyone enough,” she wrote. “Especially my mother, my siblings, grandparents, partner, and friends—everyone who has always been there in one way or another. And of course, all my wonderful teammates and coaches from around the world. Thank you for the memories—they’ll stay with me forever.”