Belgrade — The 2026 Men’s European Water Polo Championships in Belgrade move into an important stage on Day 8, with reigning heavyweights Italy aiming to preserve their unbeaten run, while several teams contest crucial classification matches that will determine final rankings.
The spotlight fixture of the day sees Italy face Georgia in Group F, a matchup that underlines the contrasting trajectories of the two sides. Italy have been one of the standout teams of the tournament so far, combining defensive discipline with attacking efficiency. According to European Aquatics, Italy have never lost to Georgia at a European Championship since the latter’s debut in 2014, winning all nine previous encounters. “The Italians are looking sharp and methodical, with their depth proving decisive at this stage of the competition,” the tournament preview noted (European Aquatics).
Georgia, however, will view the contest as an opportunity to challenge one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses and gain valuable experience against elite opposition. While the odds favour Italy, the Caucasian side will hope to disrupt the rhythm of a team already eyeing the knockout rounds.
Away from the group spotlight, classification matches for 13th–16th places add further intrigue to the day’s schedule. Slovenia take on Israel in a clash shaped by contrasting recent form. Slovenia enter with renewed confidence after recent improvements, while Israel are still searching for consistency in Belgrade. As highlighted by European Aquatics, Israel won their only previous major-tournament meeting against Slovenia in 2022, a result Slovenia will be keen to avenge.
The other classification encounter features Slovakia against Malta, a matchup with an increasingly competitive edge. Although Slovakia have traditionally dominated this fixture at European level, Malta’s recent narrow win over Slovakia in the 2024 World Cup Division II suggests a far closer contest. “Recent results indicate that the gap between the two teams has narrowed significantly,” European Aquatics observed in its Day 8 preview.
With group standings tightening and final placements at stake, Day 8 in Belgrade promises intensity across the board — from Italy’s pursuit of perfection to hard-fought battles for pride and ranking lower down the table.
(Source: European Aquatics)
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