Serbia are European champions once again.
The hosts defeated Hungary 10:7 in the final of the 37th European Championships at a packed Belgrade Arena, reclaiming continental gold in front of a raucous home crowd.
It is Serbia’s sixth European title as an independent nation and tenth overall, including championships won under the Yugoslav banner, further cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in European water polo history.
Defensive mastery decides the final
The gold-medal match was tight, physical, and fiercely contested throughout. Neither side managed to establish early control, but Serbia’s defensive solidity and composure in the closing minutes ultimately proved decisive.
The key moment came late in the fourth quarter. Between the 28th and 31st minute, Serbia produced a crucial 3:0 run, stretching their narrow 7:6 advantage to 10:6 and effectively sealing the title. Hungary could respond with only a late consolation goal.
Dušan Mandić led the way with four goals, while also contributing defensively with steals and drawn exclusions. Goalkeeper Milan Glušac delivered a standout performance, particularly in the final period, but this was very much a collective triumph, built on discipline, structure, and patience.
As expected, the final was played in an electric atmosphere, with nearly 13,000 spectators inside the Belgrade Arena, including around 1,000 Hungarian supporters.
Match details
2026 European Championships – Belgrade
Day 16 | Final
Score by quarters: 3:2, 2:3, 2:1, 3:1
Serbia:
Mandić 4, Lukić 2, Drašković 1, Vico 1, Martinović 1, Lazić 1
Hungary:
V. Vigvári 3, Á. Nagy 1, Fekete 1, Jansik 1, Varga 1
First-half balance
The opening half was defined by defensive intensity and momentum swings, with neither team able to establish a two-goal cushion.
Vendel Vigvári opened the scoring by converting Hungary’s first man-up opportunity. Nikola Lukić responded for Serbia with a rare 6-on-6 goal, before Radomir Drašković capitalised on a double-man advantage to put the hosts ahead. The sides traded goals through the remainder of the quarter, Serbia edging it 3:2 after eight minutes.
Hungary started the second period strongly. Vigvári struck again—this time from open play—to give Hungary a 4:3 lead, their first even-strength goal of the match. The Hungarians tightened defensively, forcing Serbia into low-percentage perimeter shots, and the hosts endured a prolonged scoring drought.
Dušan Mandić finally broke it from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, and Nemanja Vico restored Serbia’s lead on the power play. Vince Varga answered immediately for Hungary, leaving the score finely poised at 5:5 at halftime.
Serbia take control
Serbia emerged from the long break with renewed purpose. Mandić converted a free throw before Vasilije Martinović finished a man-up to stretch the lead to 7:5, Serbia’s first two-goal advantage of the night.
Hungary responded through Gergo Fekete on the power play, trimming the deficit to one, but Serbia maintained their edge through the closing minutes of the third quarter.
Hungary threatened early in the final period, creating high-quality chances, but Milan Glušac was outstanding, producing three saves in the opening three minutes, including a close-range 6-on-5 effort from Szilárd Jansik.
Mandić then converted another penalty to make it 8:6—Serbia’s first goal in nine minutes of play. Hungary challenged the decision, but the review was rejected. Moments later, Glušac denied Manhercz on the extra player, and Serbia capitalised at the other end.
Centre-forward Đorđe Lazić finished clinically to make it 9:6 with three minutes remaining—a decisive moment in a final dominated by defensive discipline. At 1:46 on the clock, Mandić stole possession in Hungary’s attack and completed his four-goal night to extend the lead to 10:6, effectively ending the contest.
Vendel Vigvári scored once more in the closing seconds, but Serbia’s victory was already assured.
On a historic night in Belgrade, Serbia climbed back to the summit of European water polo—champions once again, on home soil.
European Championships 2026 Homepage
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X