Eight years ago, Spain’s men’s water polo team stood in the shadow of the game’s historic powers. Hungary, Italy and the Balkan nations set the standards, and Spain were chasing. Today, under head coach David Martín, the tables have turned. His side’s 15–13 win over Hungary in last month’s World Championship final in Singapore did more than secure a fourth world title—it cemented a style of play that others now seek to emulate.

For Martín, the victory was a perfect storm: the end of a season, the culmination of years of work, and the grand farewell of Felipe Perrone—captain, talisman and one of the sport’s most decorated players. “Don’t f*** with me,” Martín laughs, recalling the moment Perrone scored the decisive goal in the final match of his career. “This is how it’s going to end?”

A coach at ease with success

When the call from La Vanguardia came, Martín was in Ourense, enjoying a rare stretch of holiday calm. “When you win, there’s a release,” he says. “After Paris last year, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I should have done differently. In Singapore, everything went smoothly. We needed to get back to winning ways.”

The Spaniards’ ambition is unashamedly lofty. “Our internal pressure is gold,” Martín admits. “Yes, we can take bronze, but only if we’ve given it absolutely everything. This gold reaffirms us. There have been tournaments where we’ve medalled but walked away unsatisfied.”

The fine margins of championship sport

The semi-final against Greece was decided by the thinnest of margins: a last-second equaliser to force penalties. “It was a miracle,” Martín concedes. “But every champion gets that one lucky moment. We’ve been on the other side of it too. The key is believing until the end—and we showed that in the group stage, in the semis, in the final.”

Greece, he notes, were outstanding. “They overwhelmed Italy for bronze. They’re one of the hardest teams to play against.”

Farewell to a friend

Bringing Perrone to Singapore was not an obvious decision. Three separate meetings took place before he committed. “At first, neither of us was sure,” Martín says. “The team was doing very well. We didn’t want to disrupt it. But eventually, I told him: you can give us something at the World Cup. When he finally said yes, I was relieved. As a friend, I’d never have held it against him if he’d decided otherwise. But as a coach, I was grateful.”

In his final years, Perrone’s minutes were fewer but his influence profound. “He helped the team grow. Munárriz took on the captaincy, Granados stepped up, Tahull, Larumbe, Sanahuja—all benefited from Felipe’s humility and leadership. He was a father and a teacher.”

Building a new model

Since taking the reins in 2017, Martín’s stated aim was modest: restore Spain to the medal conversation. They have not left it since. “Now, we’re European and world champions,” he says. “But more important than the medals is our identity. You can see it in the juniors, in the seniors. That’s the hardest part. Before, we looked to Hungary, Italy, the Balkans. Now, they look to us.”

Challenges beyond the pool

Martín is also outspoken on the state of Spanish water polo. “Clubs are our source of talent,” he says. “They need more support from institutions. Instead, public spaces go to private companies, while clubs that keep kids healthy and teach values struggle. It’s short-sighted.”

He warns against an over-reliance on foreign players in the domestic league. “Our juniors get valuable minutes in the top division. Yet we often look abroad while other countries call me to sign Spanish players. We need to protect our talent. Too many are heading to the US or Europe. That’s what we should be safeguarding.”

From Singapore to Ourense, from tactical innovation to talent protection, Martín’s voice carries the authority of a man who has redefined what Spanish water polo can be. Eight years on, his team not only wins—they set the standard.

Disclaimer: This article is adapted from an interview originally published by La Vanguardia and authored by Alberto Martínez. All credit for the original interview and reporting belongs to La Vanguardia and Alberto Martínez.

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