Water polo players earn ticket for European Championship with a big win over Turkey

The Dutch water polo men have assured themselves of participating in the European Championship in Croatia in September. The Orange squad won 18-10 at the qualifying tournament in Turkey’s Netanya, Israel. After the win over host country Israel on Friday (10-4), the victory over the Turks was enough for a ticket to the European Championship.

The Dutch team still struggled to break away from Turkey in the first two periods, but the gap was closed with 6-1 in the third period. In the fourth period, the team was able to finish the game with a comfortable lead.

Kas te Riele and Jesse Koopman each scored four times. Thomas Lucas was good for three hits. Jorn Muller and Pascal Janssen each scored two goals. Guus van Yperen, Tim de Mey and Jesse Nispeling also scored a goal.

At the Netherlands, national coach Harry van der Meer was missing from the side because he is quarantined at home due to corona. Branko Mitrovic replaced him.