The uncertainty is nearly resolved – the European Water Polo Championship is set for early 2024 and will take place in Croatia.

This continental championship was initially scheduled for January 3 to 17, 2024, in Netanya but was called off due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Berlin emerged as a potential venue, followed by Zagreb, and today the Croatian Government has officially approved hosting the event.

The Croatian Government stated, “Financial resources for co-financing the organizational expenses of the European Water Polo Championship in 2024 will be allocated with a total of two million euros by reallocating funds within the 2023 State Budget and projections for 2024 and 2025, specifically from the budget of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.”

We are now awaiting the official confirmation from the European Swimming Federation (LEN).

Furthermore, the European Championship serves as a qualifier for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris next summer.

The European champion or the best-placed team in the tournament, following Hungary, Greece, and France—who have already secured spots—will qualify for the Olympics.

The top three national teams from the European Championship will qualify for the World Championship in Doha, scheduled from February 2 to 18 next year, where teams like Hungary, Greece, Spain, Serbia, Italy, and France have already earned their berths through European selections.

This is particularly significant for the Montenegrin national team, which will compete in Group A at the European Championship.

The “Sharks” will face off against Spain, France, and Croatia.

The leading two teams will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while those finishing third and fourth will encounter the top two teams from Division 2 groups in the round of 16.

The group that Montenegro is in during the round of 16 will meet the teams from Group A of Division B, which includes Serbia, Germany, Israel, and Malta.

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