In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, international water polo player Lucas Gielen shares deep insights into player development, elite training environments and the structural differences between German and Dutch water polo. Having played at top clubs such as Partizan Belgrade and Spandau 04, and representing both the Netherlands and later Germany, Gielen brings a rare multi-national perspective to the discussion.

Lucas begins by telling his personal story. Born and raised in the Netherlands, water polo was a true family sport for him. Parents, siblings and relatives all played at a high level, creating an environment where competition, learning and ambition were part of everyday life. His ultimate childhood dream was clear: reaching the Olympic Games.

A turning point in his career came relatively late. Invited to the youth national team at the age of 16, Lucas suddenly found himself surrounded by players who were faster, stronger and more advanced. Instead of being discouraged, this environment shaped his mindset. This is where his guiding principle was born:
“When you’re the smartest in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
From that moment on, his goal became simple: always train and compete with people who were better than him.

His move to Partizan Belgrade was a defining experience. Training under legendary coach Vlado Vujasinović and alongside world-class players exposed him to an entirely new level of professionalism, intensity and tactical understanding. Later, his five years at Spandau 04 further shaped his career. In Berlin, Lucas experienced a club culture where winning the Bundesliga was the baseline expectation and the real focus lay on Champions League performance.

A central part of the conversation compares the Dutch league with the German Bundesliga. Lucas explains that in the Netherlands the league is extremely balanced: almost every team can beat each other, making every weekend decisive. In Germany, however, the focus for top teams like Spandau and Waspo Hannover was long centered on Champions League success, with domestic matches often serving as preparation rather than true competition.

Lucas highlights the importance of elite environments for young players. At Spandau, a clear development philosophy existed: alongside international stars and national team players, young talents trained daily at the highest level. This pipeline helped prepare players for international competition and ultimately benefited the German national team. He contrasts this with the Dutch model, where national team players train centrally in Zeist, but lack the daily exposure to multiple Olympic-level foreign players in club training.

The discussion then shifts to the current situation of the German national team. Lucas follows the team closely and emphasizes that the ongoing restructuring requires patience. With many experienced players retired, Germany is building a young squad that will naturally experience ups and downs. Short-term results, he argues, should not overshadow long-term development.

He praises the mentality of German teams and players, describing them as resilient, disciplined and never giving up – qualities he experienced firsthand when representing Germany himself. According to Lucas, if these values are combined with patience, high-level environments and long-term planning, German water polo has strong potential to grow again.

This episode is a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about development, ambition and why true progress in water polo – and in life – only happens when you deliberately step into rooms where you are no longer the best.

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