Home comforts for Great Britain on road to U19 European Water Polo Championships

Great Britain will have home advantage as they look to qualify for the Men’s Under 19 European Water Polo Championships.

East Manchester Leisure Centre is to host the crucial qualifiers, with the British team taking on France, Germany, Lithuania, Ireland and Portugal in Group B.

They will play five matches from 2-5 April 2020, aiming to reach the final stage which takes place in the Greek city of Volos from 6-13 September.

Great Britain successfully qualified for the 2018 edition of the tournament, which took place in Minsk, finishing 16th overall after playing heavyweights Serbia, Russia and the Netherlands in the group stage.

Head coach Dean Walker said: “I’m really happy that Manchester will once again be hosting the Men’s U19 European Water Polo Championships Qualification Tournament in 2020.

“It’s always a privilege for our players to pull on the GB cap, but to have an event on home turf provides a great opportunity for the team to be cheered on by family, friends and members of the extended water polo community.

“A big thank you to British Swimming and the home nations for their continued support, with a special mention to Norman Leighton and the local organising committee for making it possible.”