On Sunday, August 21, the first-ever World Water Polo Championship among youth under 16 will start in Greece. Oleksandr Svishchov, president of the Water Polo Federation of Ukraine, gave his optimistic assessment of the upcoming performances of our national team.
“The group in which our young water polo players got into is difficult,”
Svishchov said. “Italy are the 2021 European under-16 champions, Egypt are the South African champions, so the boys will need to show character and Cossack spirit to win.”
“I am sure that our boys can beat Egypt and leave the group from the second place. In general, it is difficult to predict anything here, at such an age – 16 years – there is no definite favorite in the game, because water polo players are very unstable, they can burn out banally and not show anything . And vice versa – to go out to demonstrate character and please us with a victory.”
This youth national team of Ukraine is only the second men’s team in the country’s history to take part in such a tournament.
“Everything will be shown by the game in the pool, which we are looking forward to. I want to note that it is a great honor for us that the boys will perform at the World Water Polo Championship.”
“During the entire history of independence, only one Ukrainian men’s water polo team participated in the World Championship – it was back in 1999. Therefore, of course, even the very fact that our young men are at the 2022 World Water Polo Championship is already a certain feat and unique competitions for young water polo players.”
Oleksandr Svishchov also shared the expectations and goals that were set for the national team.
“First of all, we want the boys to get experience and enjoy the game. The leadership of FVPU always sets maximum goals for every tournament where our water polo players participate. 25 teams will compete in Greece, our boys should be among the TOP 10 teams in the world.” .
He noted that coach Yevhen Naumchyk should help the national team in completing the task. But even if this does not happen, no one will blame anyone, because the war did not allow the young men to prepare properly.
“Yes, if this does not happen, no one will criticize them and say that the task has not been completed. In the conditions of the war, the boys did not have the opportunity to hold a full-fledged meeting and did not see each other for a long time. I hope that he will be able to unite the team and find the right words of motivation our coach is Yevhen Naumchyk.”
“He is a very qualified specialist who works well with young players. Therefore, I am sure that his coaching experience, young character and passion for fighting will bring us the desired result. I believe in our young men, good luck to you in the pool. Represent our country well on the international stage. Glory to Ukraine!”
The U16 World Water Polo Championship will be held in Greece from August 21 to 27. 25 teams will participate in the tournament, divided into 8 groups (only in group D, where there is a host team of the tournament, there are 4 national teams).
Source of the article: https://isport.ua/ua/other/aquatics/6847456-aleksandr-svischev-vysoko-otsenil-shansy-molodezhnoj-sbornoj-ukrainy-na-chempionate-mira-po-vodnomu-polo
