The Netherlands men’s national water polo team is set for a demanding build-up to the European Championship, combining public-friendly internationals with a high-level international tournament in Rotterdam before heading to Belgrade.
TeamNL Men will play two open friendly matches as part of their pre-tournament preparation. On Sunday, December 21 (20:00), the Netherlands face France at the Rotterdam Swimming Center, followed by a second test against Georgia on Saturday, January 3 (20:00) at the Amerena Sports Complex in Amersfoort.
Water Polo Cup Rotterdam (27–29 December)
A key part of the preparation programme is the Water Polo Cup Rotterdam, where Branko Mitrović’s squad will measure itself against elite European opposition. The tournament features Hungary, Croatia and Turkey, providing a valuable competitive environment just weeks before the continental championship.
Match schedule
- December 27
18:00 – Croatia vs Turkey
20:00 – Netherlands vs Hungary - December 28
18:00 – Hungary vs Turkey
20:00 – Netherlands vs Croatia - December 29
18:00 – Hungary vs Croatia
20:00 – Netherlands vs Turkey
Ticket sales for the Water Polo Cup Rotterdam are now open.
Following the tournament, TeamNL Men will depart for Belgrade on January 8, where the European Championship gets underway. The Netherlands open their campaign on January 10 against hosts Serbia, before meeting Israel on January 12 and Spain on January 14, in what promises to be one of the most challenging groups of the competition.
Pre-selection TeamNL Men
- Miki Buitenhuis (UZSC) (GK)
- Jelto Spijker (Spandau) (GK)
- Pim Steenbrink (ZV De Zaan) (GK)
- Zeppe Caboort (ZVL 1886) (GK)
- Joris Geurts (ASC Duisburg) (GK)
- Bilal Gbadamassi (CN Marseille)
- Sebastian Hessels (OSC)
- Benjamin Hessels (OSC)
- Marnick Snel (Primorje)
- Sam van den Burg (Waspo Hannover)
- Max van der Werve (CN Rubí)
- Tim de Mey (RN Florentia)
- Niels Hofmeijer (RN Florentia)
- Jeroen Rouwenhorst (RN Florentia)
- Tom de Weerd (Tenerife Echeyde)
- Mart van der Weijden (CN Barcelona)
- Lars ten Broek (CN Terrassa)
- Kas te Riele (Vouliagmeni)
- Kenai Heitink (KPK Korčula)
- Daan Bakker (ZV De Zaan)
- Jorrit van der Weijden (GZC Donk)
- Fabio Jukić (PSV)
- Imme van der Schaaf (Santa Clara University)
Context and ambitions
While the Dutch men do not carry the same recent medal record as their women’s counterparts, the programme has been steadily rebuilding, with an increasing number of players gaining experience in top European leagues across Italy, Spain, Germany and Croatia. The Water Polo Cup Rotterdam, combined with early championship tests against Serbia and Spain, will offer a clear benchmark of where TeamNL stands against the continent’s elite.
Under Mitrović, the emphasis remains on physical resilience, tactical discipline and narrowing the gap to Europe’s top eight. With a deep pre-selection and exposure to high-pressure matches before arriving in Belgrade, the Netherlands will be aiming to convert preparation into progress on the European stage.
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