Istanbul is ready to welcome the continent’s rising stars for the Women’s U16 European Water Polo Championships, the first of four elite youth tournaments taking place this summer under the banner of European Aquatics. The competition kicks off on Friday, 27 June, and will run through to 3 July, marking the beginning of a packed summer calendar for age-group aquatics.
This year’s tournament will once again feature a two-division format, ensuring intense competition from the opening whistle. With familiar powerhouses entering the fray, the title race is expected to be fierce—but surprises cannot be ruled out.
One of the standout stories from last year’s U16 World Championships saw Croatia’s young women’s team defy expectations by reaching the semifinals, knocking out the Netherlands en route. While Croatia’s men’s teams are historically expected to challenge at the highest level, the performance of the women’s squad was a refreshing statement—and many of those standout players remain eligible to compete in Istanbul.
The top contenders heading into this year’s competition include Spain, Hungary, and Greece. Spain arrive as reigning U16 World Champions, having defeated Hungary in last year’s final, and will be aiming to build on their U15 European title from 2023. Hungary, no strangers to finals themselves, will be looking for revenge, while Greece hope to capitalize on their recent youth development success.
Italy and the Netherlands also remain strong contenders for a place on the podium, and the resurgent Croatians could again shake up the traditional hierarchy.
Tournament Format
The competition is split into four groups. The top two teams from Groups A and B—the top-tier pools—will qualify directly for the quarterfinals. The third and fourth placed teams in those groups will face qualifiers from Groups C and D in cross-over playoff matches.
Women’s U16 European Water Polo Championships
Istanbul, Türkiye | 27 June – 3 July 2025
Group A: Spain, Hungary, Netherlands, Serbia
Group B: Greece, Italy, Croatia, Germany
Group C: Türkiye, Czechia, Slovakia, France
Group D: Romania, Ukraine, Malta
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