Great Britain confirms European Championship qualifiers squad

A 14-strong Great Britain Senior Men’s Water Polo squad has been named for next month’s European Qualification Tournament in Kranji, Slovenia.

Head Coach Tim Dunsbee, alongside Assistant Coach Ian MacCullum and Team Manager Terri Halstead, have selected a group mixed with experience, skill and promising young talent that will be looking to secure their spot at next year’s Championships.

The squad contains five of the players that helped the team to tenth at the World Cup Water Polo World Cup in December, including Kameron Powell, Jordan Elliot and Tom Manley.

Drawn in Group A – one of four groups in the qualification phase – Great Britain will face the Netherlands, Poland, Czechia, and hosts Slovenia over three days in the countries third-largest city.

A top-two finish is required to advance to the finals, with the leading teams from each group forming Division Two of the European Championships, set to take place in Serbia in January 2026.

Success in Slovenia would see the men’s team join the women’s squad at the major event, following their historic qualification in 2024.

Despite a challenging group, the squad has been training intensively to prepare for the task ahead. They recently secured a 13-11 victory over Sweden in an international friendly during an overseas training camp and will compete at the Danube Cup in Slovakia this week as part of their final preparations.

They’ll take on Slovakia, Isreal, Ukraine and Slovenia at the event, taking place from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June and you can watch live on YouTube here.

Speaking about the squad selection, Swim England Water Polo Talent and Inclusion Officer, Andy McGinty, who’s travelling with the team this weekend said: “This group brings together a fantastic mix of experienced leaders and young, hungry players ready to make an impact.

“As we’ve seen with the senior women’s team, the two-division format at the European Championships offers a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to gain vital international experience and compete at the highest level.

“The men’s side have been drawn in a tough group, but I know how much Tim and the team are looking forward to testing themselves at this level and we wish them all the best of luck.”