2022 European Water Polo Championship Odds for the Men’s and Women’s Tournaments

Split hosts the 2022 European Water Polo Championship where the best men’s and women’s water polo teams will compete for the trophy. The women’s tournament starts tomorrow, on the 27th of August. While the men’s event begins two days later, on the 29th. The 2022 European Water Polo Championship odds favor the Spanish team in both competitions. But there are several challengers in both events from countries like Italy, Hungary and Greece. 

Following the multisport and swimming European Championship, now it’s time for water polo teams to compete for the continental title. 16 men and 12 women teams will start their tournaments in the Spaladium Arena in Split. The Croatian city will host the event for the second time following the 1981 Championship. Hungary are the defending champions and the most successful nation in the men’s event with 13 victories.

And their team is among the favorites again. Along with the world championship winner Spain and the runner-up, Italy. In the women’s event, the Netherlands and Italy are head-to-head in the medal table with 5-5 wins. But the Spanish team is the defending champion after defeating Russia in the final two years ago. 

2022 European Water Polo Championship odds favor the reigning women champions

The Spanish women’s team won their second European Championship title in the previous tournament in Budapest. And even though they only finished fifth in the 2022 World Championship, they are favored to win now. Online sportsbooks in Croatia offer the smallest odds, 2.40 for their victory.

Their team has such great players like the team captain Pili Pena. Or the top scorers of this year’s World Championship, Judith Forca and Beatriz Ortiz. Ortiz was also voted as the MVP in the previous European Championship and can be a key player again. 

The 2022 European Water Polo Championship odds mention the silver medalist of this year’s World Championship, Hungary as Spain’s biggest rival. Attila Biro’s team played superbly at home. And only lost by two goals against the Olympic champion US team in the final.

They will miss two key players in Split though. After both Rita Keszthelyi and Natasa Rybanska pulled out. But we can still find some very talented players like Greta Gurisatti and Dora Leimeter in the squad. Hungary has won the European Championship three times so far. Their odds to win again are 3.90. 

Former Champions are also Among the Favorites

Three teams follow the top favorites with the same odds (6.50): Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Probably the Dutch team can be the strongest from them after winning this tournament five times so far. They also won the bronze medal in the World Championship after defeating Italy.

Eva Doudesis’ team will play along Hungary in Group A, just like the Greek team. Greece has never won the European title in spite of featuring three times in the final. Most of their players play in top Greek clubs, Olympiacos and Ethnikos which won the LEN Euro League and the LEN Trophy last season. With a strong group stage performance, Greece might fight for the gold again. 

Spain Can also Win the Men’s Tournament

We can find the same nation, Spain as the biggest favorite for the gold in the men’s event. After winning the World Championship this year online gambling sites in Croatia favor them with the odds of 3.50. In spite of never winning the European Championship before.

But David Martin’s team was very convincing in Budapest and won the country’s third world title. They finished fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after losing the bronze match against Hungary. This year they were unstoppable though and can go all the way again. Just like the runners-up in Budapest, Italy. 

Alessandro Campagna’s team only lost the final on penalties and can be optimistic ahead of another big tournament. As they also won the World League final this summer, Italy’s first gold medal in that event. Now their odds to win their fourth European title are 5.50. Same odds are offered for the victory of Serbia, another big water polo powerhouse.

The five-time European champions will have 11 debutants in their team, but they can still perform well. We can find three Olympic champions in the squad including the team’s captain Sava Randjelovic. While their younger players are promising talents of the sport who have already finished fifth in the World Championships. 

Chances of Other Top Teams 

Home fans will hope for a good performance from their team, Croatia who has the odds of 5.95 on 22Bet to win the gold. They only have one European Championship title so far. From 2010 when another Croatian town, Zagreb hosted the tournament. Playing at home again can be a good sign for Ivica Tucak’s team that was 4th in Budapest. Croatia will  miss a key player, Ante Vukicevic due to injury. But the rest of the squad will surely be extra motivated for a good result in front of the home fans. 

The defending champions, Hungary is also likely to be supported by great number of fans. Following the departure of head coach Tamas Marcz, another former Olympic champion, Zsolt Varga guides the team. Hungary had a disappointing World Championship at home after finishing only in 7th place.

Now their odds to finish on top are 8.50. Greece have been offered the same odds for the tournament’s win. They won the bronze medal in June which was another good result from the runners-up at the 2020 Olympics. Interestingly just like the women’s team, they haven’t won the European title yet. But it can easily change in Croatia now.

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