Great Britain signed off their campaign at the Women’s 2026 European Water Polo Championships in dramatic fashion on Monday night, edging a breathless 10–9 win over Serbia to secure ninth place in Funchal.
It took resilience, composure, and a moment of late brilliance. After Serbia clawed their way back to level the score at 9–9, Katy Cutler delivered the decisive blow with just 23 seconds remaining — smashing home a six-on-five finish that sparked wild celebrations in the pool and stands alike.
Classification finals – Day 8 (Monday, February 2)
9th/10th place
Serbia 9–10 Great Britain
(1–1, 3–3, 2–3, 3–3)
11th/12th place
Germany 13–12 Portugal
(5–3, 3–2, 1–5, 4–2)
13th/14th place
Türkiye 19–8 Switzerland
(4–4, 7–1, 2–0, 6–3)
15th/16th place
Slovakia 16–12 Romania
(4–2, 5–4, 3–2, 4–4)
GB dig deep in end-to-end classic
This may not have been the classification final Great Britain hoped to be contesting — after finishing seventh in Eindhoven two years ago — but there was no doubting their determination to finish on a high.
The opening exchanges were frantic. GB squandered their first two six-on-fives, while Serbia punished theirs, Hristina Ilić firing past Cassidy Ball to open the scoring. Captain Kathy Rogers soon replied with a smart tap-in on extra, before Katie Brown thought she had given the Brits the lead — only for VAR to rule the ball had not crossed the line.
Lily Turner converted a penalty early in the second period, but drama followed when Cutler appeared to make it 3–1, only for VAR to spot a foul in the build-up. Izzy Howe was excluded for four minutes, the goal disallowed, and Serbia levelled from the resulting penalty.
Turner restored the lead moments later from the spot, then produced one of the goals of the tournament — a helicopter shot from six metres that clipped the post and needed VAR confirmation. With the teams already swapping ends, the final seconds of the half were replayed, allowing Ana Milicevic to equalise for 4–4 just before the break.
Cutler finally got on the scoresheet early in the third, converting on extra as GB returned to full strength. Goals from Lucy Blenkinship and Harriet Dickens opened up a two-goal cushion, but Serbia stayed in touch and trailed by just one heading into the final quarter.
The tension peaked late on. Serbia equalised twice, the second coming with under two minutes left, before Cutler delivered the moment that decided it — a fierce, skipping shot from the left that flew into the roof of the net. Serbia had no reply.
Lily Turner finished with four goals, taking her tournament tally to 16.
Germany edge hosts as Portugal captain bows out
Germany claimed 11th place with a narrow 13–12 win over hosts Portugal, denying the home crowd a fairy-tale ending. After Portugal surged back to lead late in the third, the Deike sisters proved decisive — Gesa striking late, before Aylin Fry sealed the win with 19 seconds remaining.
The evening ended with an emotional moment as Portugal captain Inês Nunes confirmed her retirement during the post-match presentation, receiving special gifts to mark her international career.
Türkiye dominant, Slovakia avoid last place
Türkiye were in complete control against Switzerland, blowing the game open with a devastating second quarter and cruising to a 19–8 victory. Milana Molnar led the way with four goals, while captain Dilara Burali and Kubra Kus added three apiece.
Earlier in the day, Slovakia claimed their first win of the tournament by beating Romania 16–12. Captain Monika Sedláková was unstoppable, scoring nine times to take her tournament total to 19 — equalling the highest individual match tally recorded in Funchal.
For Great Britain, ninth place may not have been the original target — but the manner of this victory, forged under pressure and sealed at the death, ensured they left Funchal with momentum, belief, and a statement finish.
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