January 30, 2026 | Funchal
The race for a top-10 finish at the Women’s European Water Polo Championships intensified on Friday, as Türkiye claimed their first victory in Funchal with a dramatic shootout win over Germany. It was the first match of the tournament to end level after regular time, and Türkiye goalkeeper Elif Dilara Aydinlik proved decisive, saving three penalties despite not featuring during the four quarters.
Elsewhere in the 9th–16th classification groups, Serbia, Portugal and Great Britain all recorded convincing victories to maintain their momentum heading into the final round of matches.
Group G (9th–16th classification)
Germany 12–12 (2–3 pens) Türkiye
(3–4, 3–1, 1–4, 5–3, pens 2–3)
The classification phase got under way with a thriller, as Germany and Türkiye required penalties to be separated after an absorbing contest.
Türkiye appeared on course for victory when they surged into a 10–7 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Germany responded with a late 4–0 run, helped by a crucial penalty save from Darja Heinbichner, to edge ahead with just over three minutes remaining.
Yelizaveta Ivanova, who finished with four goals, quickly levelled for Türkiye before Ira Deike restored Germany’s advantage with a composed finish. Inside the final minute, Türkiye captain Dilara Burali redeemed an earlier missed penalty by converting a vital six-on-five to force a shootout.
Introduced specifically for penalties, Aydinlik emerged as the hero, saving efforts from Geisa Deike, Jana Stuewe and Belen Vosseberg to secure two points for Türkiye.
Despite the defeat, Germany — who carried three points into Group G — remain firmly in contention for the 9th/10th place playoff, with their clash against Serbia on Sunday set to decide their fate. Türkiye, meanwhile, can still reach the 11th/12th final with victory over Slovakia.
Serbia 12–4 Slovakia
(2–2, 5–0, 2–2, 3–0)
Serbia moved into control of Group G with a comfortable win over Slovakia. After an even opening quarter, the Serbians took charge in the second period, with Jovana Radonjic converting a penalty before completing her hat-trick moments later on the counter.
Slovakia struggled to stem the flow as Serbia built a commanding half-time lead and never looked back, closing the contest with a dominant final quarter to move two points clear at the top of the group. Serbia now need just a draw against Germany to advance to the 9th/10th place final.
Group H (9th–16th classification)
Portugal 17–10 Switzerland
(5–2, 3–3, 6–1, 3–4)
Portugal continued their strong run in Funchal with a second successive victory, gradually asserting control against Switzerland.
The hosts established an early three-goal advantage and, after a balanced second quarter, pulled clear decisively in the third. Alice Rodrigues and Maria Machado both capitalised on extra-player situations, while Beatriz Jardim delighted the home crowd with a perfectly weighted lob.
Switzerland showed flashes of quality — notably through a long-range strike from Jacqueline Kholi — but were unable to contain Portugal’s depth and tempo. The result sets up a decisive meeting with Great Britain on Sunday, with a place in the 9th/10th playoff on the line.=
Great Britain 20–2 Romania
(3–0, 6–0, 5–1, 6–1)
Great Britain produced the most emphatic result of the day, overwhelming Romania with a dominant all-round display to register their second consecutive victory.
After adapting well to Romania’s defensive focus on the centre, the British found space across the pool, with Katie Brown opening the scoring before Lily Turner and Katy Cutler extended the lead. Strong defensive work limited Romania to speculative efforts, while Cassidy Ball remained largely untroubled in goal.
By half-time, Great Britain had built a commanding 9–0 advantage, and the pressure continued after the break as the gap widened further. Romania eventually broke their scoring drought late in the third quarter, but six more British goals followed to complete a comprehensive win.
Great Britain now face hosts Portugal on Sunday in a decisive Group H showdown, with the winners advancing to the 9th/10th place final.
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