2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship final

For the women's tournament, see 2026 Men's European Water Polo Championship final.
2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship final
The Olympic Swimming Pool Complex hosted the final.
Event2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship
Hungary Netherlands
10 10
Netherlands won 5–3 on penalties
Date5 February 2026 (2026-02-05)
VenueOlympic Swimming Pool Complex, Funchal
Player of the Match Simone van de Kraats
RefereeAurely Bouchez (FRA)
Hendrik Schopp (GER)

The 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship final was the final match of the 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship, the 21st edition of the biannual continental tournament in women's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The match was played at Olympic Swimming Pool Complex in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on 5 February 2026, and was contested by Hungary and defending champions Netherlands.[1][2]

The tournament comprised hosts Portugal and 15 other teams. The 16 teams competed in a group stage, from which 8 teams qualified for the main round and 4 later advanced to the semifinals.

For Hungary, it is their eleventh final and it is also the twelfth final for the Dutch. This is the sixth time they have met each other in a European Championship final after 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2016, with Hungary winning three times and the other two being won by the Netherlands. Both sides had already met each other earlier in the tournament, with the Dutch winning 5–4. Their last appearances for Hungary and Netherlands in the final were in 2016 and 2024 respectively.

Netherlands defended their title with a 15–13 penalty shootout win over Hungary.[3]

Background

The 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship is the 21st edition of the biannual continental tournament in women's national water polo teams, organised by Europe's governing aquatics body, European Aquatics. The tournament takes place from 26 January to 5 February 2026. This edition is the first one ever to have a 25 meter swimming pool, down from 30 meters.[4]

The competition was held in Madeira's capital, Funchal, for the first time. This was the second edition to have different hosts for both genders after European Aquatics made the change permanent in March 2025. This edition will also witness a new format, introducing a second group stage.[5]

Route to the final

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first.

 Hungary Round  Netherlands
Opponent Result Preliminary round Opponent Result
 Spain 9–7 Match 1  Great Britain 14–4
 Romania 28–3 Match 2   Switzerland 28–2
 Portugal 28–4 Match 3  Israel 23–6
Group B placement

Pos Team Pld Pts
1  Hungary 3 9
2  Spain 3 6
3  Portugal (H) 3 3
4  Romania 3 0
Source: European Aquatics
(H) Host
 Final standings Group D placement

Pos Team Pld Pts
1  Netherlands 3 9
2  Israel 3 6
3  Great Britain 3 3
4   Switzerland 3 0
Source: European Aquatics
Opponent Result Main round Opponent Result
 Netherlands 4–5 Match 4  Hungary 5–4
 Israel 22–6 Match 5  Spain 13–16 PSO
Group F placement

Pos Team Pld Pts
1  Netherlands 3 7
2  Hungary 3 6
3  Spain 3 5
4  Israel 3 0
Source: European Aquatics
 Final standings Group F placement

Pos Team Pld Pts
1  Netherlands 3 7
2  Hungary 3 6
3  Spain 3 5
4  Israel 3 0
Source: European Aquatics
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 Greece 12–11 PSO Semifinals  Italy 8–4

Venue

Main article: 2026 Women's European Water Polo Championship § Venue

The Olympic Swimming Pool Complex hosted the final. This will be the first time they host the final.

Funchal
Olympic Swimming Pool Complex
Capacity: 850

Match

5 February 2026
19:15 		Report Hungary  10–10
PSO: 3–5 		 Netherlands Olympic Pools Complex, Funchal
Referees:
Aurely Bouchez (FRA), Hendrik Schopp (GER)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 1–4, 2–2, 4–3
five players 2 Goals Van de Kraats 3

Sources:[6]

Assistant referees:
Joao Pinheiro
Maria Barbosa
Video assistant referee:
Lea Saftic
Timekeepers:
Soraia Crespo
Bruno Martins
TWPC Delegates:
Angel Moliner
Aysem Ozalp

Match rules

  • Four quarters of eight minutes (32 minutes in total).
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.

Squads

References

  1. ^ "Funchal 2026: Hungary and Netherlands to battle for gold after sensational semi-final victories | European Aquatics®". February 3, 2026.
  2. ^ "Női vízilabda Eb - A görögök legyőzésével döntős a magyar válogatott". mti.hu. February 3, 2026.
  3. ^ "Funchal 2026: Dutch delight as Netherlands secure second successive European crown with epic shootout victory | European Aquatics®". February 5, 2026.
  4. ^ Rolle, Andy (27 December 2025). "Belgrade 2026: European Water Polo Championships facts and figures".
  5. ^ "Two host cities and new format for 2026 European Water Polo Championships – European Aquatics®". 31 March 2025.
  6. ^ "SCHEDULE & RESULTS".
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