Spain gunning for second U16 women's water polo crown

Overview

Zagreb has taken on the daunting task to stage and eye-boggling 84 matches over seven days, utilising two pools with a heavy 12-match schedule each day. It allows the teams maximum matches in a true international furnace.

Historical Note

This is the third edition of the U16 grade with the first played in Volos, Greece in 2022 when 13 teams participated and the second in 2024 with a huge 22-team field. This year it is 24 teams, so “cadet” women are exploding worldwide.

Hungary and Spain are the only teams to be placed on both medal dais, with Hungary winning in Volos in 2022 and taking silver in Manisa. Spain won last time out and was third in the first year. Australia collected bronze last time out and Greece the silver in 2022.

24 Nations, One Group

A total of 24 nations qualified for this year's championship with all teams loaded into Group A. There will be four days of group competition where teams will play a mixture of potentially strong and weaker opposition. Wins and losses will be determined by a percentage system that allocates points on the performances of each team. As this is relative, it means you can stage such a large competition and come out with a ranking of one to 24.

The top eight teams will then go straight to quarterfinals en route to the medal rounds. The middle third and the bottom third will also conduct their quarterfinals/finals/classifications to determine the final placings. That means there will be seven days of competition with a stunning 84 matches played over two pools.

Opening-Day Draw

10:00, Group A Canada v Zimbabwe
11.30, Group A, Spain v Serbia
13:00, Group A, Italy v Russia
14:30, Group A, Israel v South Africa
16:00, Group A, Greece v Mexico
16:05, Group A, Hungary v Romania
15:30, Group A, China v Brazil
15:35, Group A, Netherlands v Germany
19:00, Group A, Croatia v Turkiye
19:05, Group A, Australia v Ukraine
20:30, Group A, United States of America v Peru
20:35, Group A, New Zealand v Czechia