Malta’s national youth water polo sides have discovered their group-stage opponents for the 2026 European Under-20 Elite Championships, following the official draws for both the women’s and men’s competitions.

Women Drawn in Group C

The Women’s Elite Under-20 Championship will take place in Oeiras, Portugal, between 1 and 7 August.

Malta have been placed in Group C, where they will face Germany and Russia.
The draw presents a challenging test for the Maltese side as they look to compete against two established nations in European youth water polo.

Men Set for Tough Group D

The Men’s Elite Under-20 Championship will be staged in Varna, Bulgaria, from 10 to 16 August.

Malta have been drawn in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Romania, and Czechia, setting up a demanding preliminary round against strong water polo countries with solid youth programmes.

Building for the Future

Participation at this level forms a key part of Malta’s long-term development pathway, giving young athletes the opportunity to gain experience against top European opposition.

Both squads will now step up their preparations in the coming months as they aim to represent Malta with distinction on the continental stage.