In Part 2 of the conversation with Tamás Sedlmayer, Champions League winner with Ferencváros, we focus on the reality of living as a professional water polo player across different countries — from Hungary to Germany and Italy — and how club culture, travel, lifestyle and expectations shape an athlete’s career.

Tamás shares his honest impressions of the German Bundesliga, explaining why for many years the title race often came down to Hannover and Spandau, while clubs like Potsdam were starting to change the system by developing young talent. He also reflects on the Italian league, which he describes as being very close to the Hungarian level in terms of quality and competitiveness — even against teams from the lower half of the table.

A major topic is travel and professionalism:
– Why Italian teams often travel one day early
– How player recovery is protected
– And why that level of organization impressed him deeply

We then move into the lifestyle differences between Budapest, Berlin and Trieste — from city size and transportation to climate, mobility and everyday rhythm. Tamás explains why Trieste became his favorite city to live in, thanks to its compact size, Mediterranean atmosphere and quality of life.

Another important part of the episode is about mental strength and life advice for young athletes. Tamás speaks openly about setbacks, difficult moments and why it is crucial to always search for light even in the darkest situations. He emphasizes that mental toughness is just as important as physical strength for a long and successful career.

We also talk about:
– Returning to Hungary with a completely new, young team
– Leadership as one of the oldest and most experienced players
– Realistic goals for the upcoming season (Top 8 ambition)
– Building chemistry in a newly formed squad
– His personal quick-fire round: favorite city, music routines, tennis as a second sport, Italian vs. Hungarian food

Topics of this episode:
– Germany vs. Italy vs. Hungary water polo leagues
– Professional travel & recovery standards
– Lifestyle as a pro athlete in Europe
– Budapest, Berlin & Trieste compared
– Leadership in young teams
– Mental resilience & life philosophy
– Advice for young athletes
– Team building in transition seasons
– Pressure vs. privilege as a senior player

This episode is a must-listen for young players, international athletes and coaches who want to understand the real everyday life behind a professional water polo career in Europe.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Tamás Sedlmayer, Hungarian professional water polo player and Champions League winner with Ferencváros (2019), about his journey from early childhood in Budapest to the very top of European club water polo.

Tamás shares how he first entered the pool at the age of three, fell in love with water sports instantly, and started first as a swimmer before transitioning into water polo. He explains why strong swimming fundamentals became one of the biggest advantages of his entire career — and why even Olympic legends like Tibor Benedek continued working on their swimming technique late in their careers.

We follow his development through the famous BVSC youth system in Budapest, later UVSE, and the moment that changed everything: receiving his first professional contract at just 17 years old with Vasas, after being scouted at a youth World Championship.

Tamás also reflects on his international club experiences, including:
– Spandau 04 (Germany, Berlin)
– Trieste (Italy)
– His return to Hungary and Budapest clubs

The emotional highlight of the episode is his Champions League title in 2019 with Ferencváros, crowned in a dramatic penalty shootout final against Olympiacos, where Tamás himself successfully converted one of the decisive penalties.

We also discuss:
– Pressure vs. privilege of wearing the Hungarian national cap
– Why Hungary produces elite players despite a small population
– Early international success: U18 World Championship silver medal (2012, Perth)
– How to deal with setbacks, losses & negative phases
– Why discipline, patience and daily work matter more than talent
– His advice to young players: learning from pain, defeats and hard training

Topics of this episode:
– Youth development in Hungarian water polo
– Swimming as a foundation for elite performance
– First professional contract at 17
– Playing in Germany & Italy
– Champions League victory with Ferencváros
– Penalty shootout pressure
– Hungarian national team culture
– Pressure vs. privilege of the cap
– Learning from defeat & mental resilience
– Advice for young athletes

This episode is a must-listen for young players, coaches and water polo fans worldwide who want to understand how a career at the top of European water polo is built step by step.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Branislav Mitrović, former Serbian national team goalkeeper and today an internationally respected goalkeeper coach, about the true value of goalkeepers in modern water polo, long-term team building and the growing importance of mental and tactical preparation.

Branislav explains why successful teams are not built for short-term results, but through long-term development visions of five to ten years. He highlights how clubs like Barceloneta, Olympiacos and Ferencváros benefit when a large part of the national team trains together for many years — creating chemistry, tactical identity and mental stability.

A major focus of the episode is his goalkeeper coaching philosophy, which is based on three pillars:
– Physical preparation for peak performance in the most important matches
– Technical development under the new water polo rules
– Psychological stability under pressure

Branislav describes how modern goalkeepers must be trained as complete high-performance athletes, not just shot-stoppers. He explains how video analysis, opponent profiling and tactical anticipation are now essential parts of elite goalkeeper preparation.

A very powerful part of the conversation is his message to coaches working with young players. He criticizes the common mistake of placing the slowest or weakest swimmer into the goal, and instead argues that clubs should put tall, explosive and athletic players into the goalkeeper position from a young age. According to him, the goalkeeper is now the most important decision-maker in the pool.

We also talk about:
– Why modern goalkeepers can win championships almost alone
– Why salaries and transfer priorities must change
– The importance of loving the goalkeeper position
– Why fear of the ball has no place in elite performance
– His legendary teammates like Duško Pijetlović and Miloš Ćuk
– Underrated goalkeepers in today’s international game

Topics of this episode:
– Long-term team building in water polo
– Modern goalkeeper coaching philosophy
– Psychology & mental strength of goalkeepers
– New rules & their impact on the goalie position
– Youth development & correct role assignment
– Goalkeeper vs. shooter salaries & transfers
– Pressure handling at elite level
– Championship-winning performances
– Serbian school of water polo

This episode is a must-listen for goalkeepers, coaches, youth trainers and water polo fans worldwide who want to understand why the goalkeeper position is now the most decisive factor in modern water polo.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In Part 1 of this in-depth conversation with Branislav Mitrović, two-time Olympic champion, former Serbian national team goalkeeper and today an elite goalkeeper coach, we explore his early life, mindset, discipline and the foundations of a world-class career that began in Novi Sad and led all the way to Olympic gold.

Branislav shares how his childhood was shaped by structure, responsibility and discipline, and why he believes that sport is the most powerful school for life. He explains how daily discipline in training later became the mental foundation for handling pressure at the biggest stages in world sport.

We talk about his engineering background, how analytical thinking influenced his development as a goalkeeper, and why reading the game, studying shooters and understanding tactics became just as important as physical ability in the water.

A major focus of this episode is his early playing career:
– Growing up in Novi Sad
– Youth development in the Serbian system
– First professional experiences
– Learning to compete under pressure

Branislav also explains how the goalkeeper position started to transform during his career — from pure shot-stopper to tactical leader and defensive organizer — long before today’s modern rule changes.

We also talk about:
– Why discipline beats talent in the long run
– How young goalkeepers should be developed
– Why fear has no place in elite performance
– Responsibility vs. enjoyment in sport
– When he realized that Olympic gold was truly possible

Topics of this episode (Part 1):
– Childhood & youth development in Serbia
– Discipline as the foundation of success
– Engineering mindset & game intelligence
– Early career of a professional goalkeeper
– Talent vs. daily work
– Evolution of the goalkeeper role (early phase)
– Dreaming of the Olympic Games
– Mental preparation in youth sport

This episode is a must-listen for young goalkeepers, players, coaches and parents worldwide who want to understand how a champion’s mindset is shaped long before medals are won.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In Part 2 of the conversation with Vince Vigvári, Hungarian national team player and CN Barceloneta professional, we go deep into the mental side of elite performance, dealing with penalty pressure at the Olympic Games, World Championship success and the challenges of staying present while planning the future.

Vince openly reflects on missing a decisive penalty at the Olympic bronze medal match and explains why he still sees it as a moment of courage, execution and trust rather than fear. He shares why a clear plan and full commitment matter more than the final outcome — and how goalkeepers can sometimes simply be better in that moment.

We compare the Olympic Games and the World Championships, especially his experiences at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, which marked his first senior world tournament. Vince talks about scoring in the semifinal against Spain, limited playing minutes, and how that goal gave him the confidence that he truly belongs at the world level.

Another key topic is the hosting of major tournaments outside Europe. Vince explains the two-sided challenge: developing the sport globally while still keeping its strong European fan base connected. We discuss Asia, Paris, Chengdu, Podgorica and Singapore as event locations.

A special highlight is his historic 2023 summer, where Hungary won both the Junior World Championship and the Senior World Championship within one month — a rare double success that marked his biggest personal breakthrough so far.

We also talk about his current Champions League campaign with CN Barceloneta, including:
– The crucial match against Oradea
– The ambition to reach the Final Four
– Why the Final Four comes down to three perfect days
– Physical vs. mental freshness at the highest level

Finally, Vince shares his advice for young players:
– Enjoy the game first
– Respect yourself and your sport
– Work harder than anyone else
– Trust yourself when the pressure comes

Topics of this episode (Part 2):
– Olympic penalty pressure
– Execution vs. outcome
– World Championships vs. Olympic Games
– Fukuoka 2023 semifinal goal
– Hosting tournaments outside Europe
– Junior & Senior World Championship double title
– Champions League mindset with Barceloneta
– Final Four pressure
– Living in the present vs. planning the future
– Advice for young athletes

This episode is a must-listen for young players, coaches and elite sport fans worldwide who want to understand how mental strength, pressure and confidence shape careers at the very top of international water polo.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Vince Vigvári, a 21-year-old Hungarian national team player and current Champions League contender with CN Barceloneta, about his rapid rise from Hungarian youth water polo to the Olympic stage and one of Europe’s top clubs.

Vince shares how his journey began at the age of eight, influenced strongly by his father, who was also a water polo player. Water polo was a family decision from the start, while his older sister went into tennis. Together with his brother, who is also a Hungarian national team player, Vince grew up in a highly competitive, sporty environment that shaped his mindset early on.

He talks about his development in one of Hungary’s strongest youth programs, UVSE, and his first professional years at OSC Budapest, where he played three seasons in the Hungarian league and two Champions League campaigns before making the big international move to CN Barceloneta in Spain.

A central topic is his experience at the Paris Olympic Games, including the unique Olympic atmosphere, playing in front of 17,000 spectators, and the special pressure of penalty shootouts in medal matches. Vince explains how he never viewed these moments as fear — but as honor, trust and opportunity.

We also talk about the differences between:
– Hungarian and Spanish water polo training philosophies
– Club water polo vs. national team water polo
– The step from a strong domestic league to a Champions League title contender
– Living alone abroad for the first time
– Why he loves challenges and personal growth

Vince shares his perspective on what it truly means to wear the Hungarian cap, why national pride plays such a huge role in Hungarian water polo, and why making the national team is the childhood dream of almost every young player in Hungary.

Topics of this episode:
– Youth development in Hungarian water polo
– Growing up in a water polo family
– UVSE & OSC Budapest development pathway
– Moving to CN Barceloneta
– Hungarian vs. Spanish water polo styles
– Olympic Games experience in Paris
– Penalty shootout pressure
– Wearing the Hungarian national cap
– Life as a young professional abroad
– Talent, discipline & growth mindset

This episode is a must-listen for young players, parents, coaches and water polo fans worldwide who want to understand how a modern elite water polo career is built from youth level to the Olympic Games and the Champions League.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In Part 2 of the conversation with Unai Biel, professional player at CN Barceloneta and Spanish national team member, we dive deep into the mentality of elite athletes, the Olympic dream, how to handle big defeats, and why constant self-reflection and improvement are the keys to long-term success in modern water polo.

Unai reflects on two of the biggest moments of his career so far: the historic European Championship title with Spain and his first appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris. While the European gold medal was a once-in-a-lifetime national achievement, the Olympics fulfilled a childhood dream that had shaped his motivation from a very young age.

We then move into the reality of elite competition with CN Barceloneta in the Champions League, including the heavy defeat against Ferencváros in Budapest. Unai explains why such losses are painful — but also essential for growth, motivation and tactical evolution. He describes in detail how professional teams analyze these games through video sessions, tactical corrections and individual responsibility.

A central theme of this episode is the process of learning through defeat:
– How to internalize emotions after a loss
– How to turn frustration into training motivation
– Why winning all the time can actually block development
– Why adaptation is the core of modern water polo

Unai also gives powerful advice for young players:
– Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses
– Actively seek feedback from experienced players
– Write down concrete improvement goals
– Turn every training session into a step forward

We also talk about:
– The constant evolution of water polo through rule changes
– Why today’s game looks completely different from just a few years ago
– Why elite players must evolve every season to survive at the top
– Why communication inside the team is more important than ever

Topics of this episode (Part 2):
– European Championship gold with Spain
– First Olympic appearance in Paris
– Champions League reality with CN Barceloneta
– Heavy defeats & how to grow from them
– Match analysis & video feedback
– Winning vs. improving
– Adaptation to new rules
– Mindset of constant evolution
– Honest self-reflection in elite sport
– Advice for young water polo players

This episode is a must-listen for young athletes, coaches and high-performance sport fans worldwide who want to understand how elite players turn pressure, defeats and criticism into long-term success.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In this international episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Unai Biel, Spanish national team player and professional athlete at CN Barceloneta, about his journey from a young talent in Catalonia to competing at the highest level of European club water polo — surrounded by Olympic champions and world-class stars.

Unai shares how he started his water polo journey in a small local club near Barcelona, first as a swimmer before switching to water polo at the age of six. When his youth club faced financial problems, he made the crucial move to CN Barceloneta as a teenager — a step that would completely change his development path.

A central focus of the episode is the unique training and development environment in Barcelona and Catalonia. Unai explains why 90% of Spain’s elite water polo is concentrated in this region, how that creates daily high-level competition, and why easy access to top-level matches raises the ambition and standards of young players.

He gives deep insight into what it feels like to enter one of Europe’s strongest clubs as a young player:
– Starting as the 14th man in the squad
– Earning minutes through rotation in the Spanish league
– Training daily with Olympic champions and world stars
– Learning position-specific details from experienced teammates

Unai explains how senior players like Felipe Perrone, Álvaro Granados, Alberto Munarriz and Blai Mallarach shaped his development — not just through example, but through direct communication, daily feedback and personal mentorship.

We also talk about:
– The Catalan high-performance school system with twice-daily training
– How young talents are selected at ages 14–15
– The difference between Spanish and other European youth systems
– Why older players must actively guide the next generation
– His role today as a mentor for younger teammates
– Why elite success is built through cycles of learning and leadership

Topics of this episode:
– Youth development in Catalonia
– Growing up at CN Barceloneta
– Mentorship from Olympic champions
– High-performance school system in Spain
– Entering an elite team as a teenager
– Learning through daily competition
– Role models & leadership in sport
– Transition from youth to professional level
– Building confidence in elite environments
– The cycle of giving knowledge back

This episode is a must-listen for young players, parents, coaches and talent developers worldwide who want to understand how elite environments, mentorship and daily competition shape professional water polo careers.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In Part 2 with Alex Bowen, Olympic bronze medalist and key player of Team USA, we go deep inside the most brutal moments of Olympic pressure — the penalty shootout, the emotional semifinal loss, and the dramatic bronze medal match against Hungary.

Alex explains why an Olympic shootout is the most extreme pressure situation in sport: complete silence inside your head, full trust in your preparation, and absolute belief in your teammates. He describes how team confidence and mutual trust become the deciding factors when everything is on the line.

We talk about the heartbreaking semifinal loss against Serbia, later the Olympic champions, and the emotional challenge of having to reset mentally within hours for the bronze medal match. Alex shares how the team supported each other emotionally to be ready again.

A powerful part of the episode is the third-place match against Hungary, including a coach’s challenge decision, the rare moment when a challenge actually changed the outcome, and how Team USA forced the game into a shootout once again under maximum pressure.

Alex also talks about personal redemption:
– Missing a decisive six-on-five opportunity earlier at the World Championships in Fukuoka
– Getting the exact same situation at the Olympics
– Making the right decision this time
– And later converting the final penalty for the Olympic bronze medal

We also discuss:
– Playing in front of sold-out Olympic crowds in Paris
– The difference between group stage and medal weekend atmosphere
– Why water polo athletes experience the full opening-to-closing Olympic journey
– The long-term rebuilding process of Team USA since 2013
– How constant roster changes shape Olympic cycles

Topics of this episode (Part 2):
– Olympic penalty shootout pressure
– Trust & confidence inside elite teams
– Semifinal heartbreak vs. bronze medal focus
– Coach’s challenge that changed the game
– Redemption after past mistakes
– Fukuoka World Championships lessons
– Bronze medal shootout vs. Hungary
– Playing in sold-out Olympic arenas
– Team USA’s long-term rebuilding process
– Olympic mindset & emotional control

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches and fans worldwide who want to understand what real Olympic pressure feels like — and how champions respond when everything is on the line.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

In this emotional and wide-ranging episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Alex Bowen, Olympic medalist and key player of Team USA, about a year that completely changed his life — Olympic Games, an Olympic medal, a wedding, a move to Spain, and becoming a father. Alex describes this period as “truly positive crazy” — a perfect mix of pressure, happiness and life-changing moments.

We talk about the challenge of preparing for fatherhood while playing professional water polo in Europe, the difficult reality of being far away from his pregnant wife, and how communication, trust and emotional strength help survive that distance. Alex speaks openly about the unique emotional mix of excitement, responsibility and fear before becoming a parent.

A major part of the episode focuses on the Olympic Games journey with Team USA:
– The tough opening match against Italy
– The must-win games versus Romania and Montenegro
– Tactical adjustments on the six-on-five defense
– The dramatic quarterfinal against Australia
– The decisive penalty shootout that sent Team USA into the Olympic semifinals for the first time since 2008

The episode also covers the massive life changes within just six weeks:
– Winning an Olympic medal
– Returning home for the wedding
– Honeymoon in Mexico
– Immediately moving to Spain to start a new professional chapter

We go deep into Alex’s club move from France to Spain, joining CN Sabadell, adapting to the Spanish league, daily battles against clubs like CN Barceloneta, and how playing in Spain sharpened his game for international competitions.

Topics of this episode:
– Olympic pressure & knockout matches
– Penalty shootouts at the Olympics
– Winning under extreme mental stress
– Life changes after Olympic success
– Wedding, honeymoon & immediate club transfer
– Long-distance relationship during pregnancy
– Becoming a father as a professional athlete
– Moving from France to Spain
– Playing in the Spanish top division
– Balancing elite sport & personal life

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches and families who want to understand how elite performance, personal happiness and major life changes collide at the highest level of international sport.

🔗 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de