In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, two-time Olympian and World Championship top scorer Alex Bowen shares deep insights into player development, mental skills, coachability and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level of international water polo.

Alex begins by introducing his personal journey. Growing up in San Diego, water polo was part of everyday life. With his father working as a high school coach, the pool became a second home from an early age. Homework on the pool deck, swimming during team practice and constant exposure to the sport shaped not only his technical skills but also his understanding of team culture and responsibility.

A central theme of the episode is the American water polo system. Alex explains the close connection between school and sport in the United States, with clearly separated high school and club seasons. While this structure keeps many kids engaged, it also creates a major gap after college. Once NCAA eligibility ends, players must either move abroad or step away from elite competition.

Alex highlights recent positive developments, such as the introduction of water polo as an official high school sport in Texas, which instantly created hundreds of new teams and thousands of new players. Access to school funding and infrastructure, he explains, is a game changer for the long-term growth of the sport in the US.

One of the most important messages of the episode comes directly from Alex’s upbringing and experiences with many different coaches:
besides all the talent, you have to be coachable.
For Alex, coachability means being able to listen, accept criticism, adapt to different philosophies and constantly learn. Every coach, he says, offers at least one valuable lesson – and elite players are those who can absorb and combine these lessons instead of resisting them.

The conversation then turns to playing in Europe, something Alex considers indispensable for American players. After graduating from Stanford, he played professionally in Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Greece, Serbia and France. Competing against older, stronger and more experienced professionals accelerated his development far beyond what would have been possible at home. Playing for contracts, bonuses and careers creates a level of pressure that fundamentally changes how players approach the game.

Alex explains the tactical and stylistic differences between countries. Greek teams emphasize positioning and quick release shots, Serbian teams rely heavily on physicality and verticality, while other nations bring their own unique focus depending on coaching philosophy and tradition. Over time, Alex learned to combine these influences, gradually building his own “puzzle” as a player.

A particularly insightful part of the episode focuses on mental preparation. Alex openly discusses nervousness before major tournaments such as the Olympic Games and World Championships. Working with a mental skills coach helped him understand that nervousness and excitement are closely related. By reframing nerves as excitement, he learned to channel emotions instead of fighting them.

His personal pre-game rituals reflect this mindset. Instead of loud music or hype, Alex prefers calm preparation, often listening to comedy podcasts before matches to stay relaxed and focused. Finding the right balance on the arousal scale, he explains, is highly individual – and one of the most important skills elite athletes must develop.

The episode concludes with reflections on team dynamics. Successful teams, Alex says, are built from very different personalities – quiet leaders, emotional motivators, jokers and fighters. The key is that individual behaviors always serve the team, never undermine it.

This episode is a deep, honest and highly practical conversation about coachability, mental strength and why long-term development in water polo – and in sport in general – depends far more on mindset than raw talent.

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In dieser Episode des Waterpolo Expert Talk spricht Hannes Schulz, Bundesligaspieler und Nachwuchstrainer beim OSC Potsdam, sehr offen über eine der grundlegendsten Wahrheiten im Leistungssport: Sport ist gnadenlos ehrlich. Ergebnisse lassen sich nicht herbeireden, Fortschritt entsteht nicht über Nacht – und echte Entwicklung braucht Zeit, Geduld und Konsequenz.

Hannes knüpft direkt an die aktuelle Situation der deutschen Nationalmannschaft an. Nach Turnieren oder verpassten Qualifikationen sei die erste Reaktion oft Frust, Kritik oder sogar Resignation. Er selbst kennt diese Gedanken – betont aber, wie wichtig es ist, einen Schritt zurückzutreten und den größeren Zusammenhang zu sehen. Eine junge Mannschaft kann Ergebnisse kurzfristig nicht liefern, wenn internationale Erfahrung, Automatismen und gemeinsame Spielzeit fehlen.

Besonders deutlich wird Hannes, wenn es um Zeithorizonte im Leistungssport geht. Statt in klassischen Vierjahres-Olympiazyklen zu denken, plädiert er für Entwicklungsphasen von sechs bis acht Jahren. Andere Nationen hätten diesen Weg längst beschritten – und davon profitiert. Wer nur kurzfristige Ergebnisse fordert, zerstöre oft langfristiges Potenzial.

Ein zentrales Leitmotiv des Gesprächs lautet:
Sport gibt dir exakt das zurück, was du investierst.
Kritik sei wichtig und notwendig – müsse aber immer konstruktiv bleiben. Spielerleistungen, Turnierergebnisse und Mannschaftsentwicklung dürften nicht losgelöst von Kontext, Erfahrung und Belastung betrachtet werden. Wer zum ersten Mal auf internationalem Topniveau spielt, wird Fehler machen. Diese Lernprozesse seien unvermeidlich – und essenziell.

Hannes spricht außerdem über die Bedeutung der Nationalmannschaft als Aushängeschild des Sports. Für Kinder, Eltern, Sponsoren und Öffentlichkeit sei sie oft der erste Kontaktpunkt mit Wasserball. Entsprechend wichtig sei es, dass alle Beteiligten – Vereine, Verband, Trainer und Spieler – an einem Tisch sitzen und gemeinsame Ziele definieren.

Auch die Bundesliga wird intensiv diskutiert. Hannes analysiert offen die aktuelle Struktur mit A- und B-Gruppe, Leistungsunterschieden und finanziellen Rahmenbedingungen. Eine einfache Erweiterung der Liga hält er für unrealistisch, solange infrastrukturelle Voraussetzungen wie Wasserzeiten, Hallengröße, Zuschauerbereiche und Organisation nicht erfüllt sind. Gleichzeitig sieht er zwischen den Plätzen drei bis acht eine überraschend große Ausgeglichenheit – an guten Tagen könne nahezu jedes Team jedes andere schlagen.

Besonders positiv hebt Hannes Vereine hervor, die auf ehemalige Spieler in Führungspositionen setzen. Menschen mit sportlicher Erfahrung verstünden die Bedürfnisse von Athleten besser und könnten langfristig stabilere Strukturen schaffen. Beispiele wie Duisburg oder Potsdam zeigten, welches Potenzial in dieser Herangehensweise stecke.

Zum Ende des Gesprächs wird es persönlicher. Hannes spricht über seinen eigenen Übergang vom Leistungssport in den Beruf. Heute arbeitet er als Gymnasiallehrer für Sport und Geografie – ein Schritt, vor dem er zunächst großen Respekt hatte. Der Abschied vom aktiven Spitzensport sei emotional schwierig gewesen, doch er habe gelernt, die nächste Lebensphase genauso bewusst anzunehmen wie den Sport.

Diese Episode ist ein ruhiger, reflektierter und sehr ehrlicher Blick auf Leistungssport, Erwartungshaltungen, Geduld und die Frage, wie nachhaltige Entwicklung im deutschen Wasserball aussehen kann.

🎧 Mehr zum Podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

🤽‍♂️ Eine Pflichtfolge für alle, die Sport realistisch, langfristig und menschlich betrachten wollen

In dieser Episode des Waterpolo Expert Talk spricht Hannes Schulz, langjähriger Bundesligaspieler des OSC Potsdam und ehemaliger Nationalspieler, sehr offen über eines der größten Probleme des deutschen Wasserballs: den fehlenden Übergang zwischen Nachwuchs, Bundesliga und Nationalmannschaft.

Hannes blickt zunächst auf seinen eigenen Werdegang zurück. Über den Leistungsschwimmsport kam er eher zufällig zum Wasserball, nachdem ihm das reine Schwimmen irgendwann zu eintönig wurde. Die vorhandene Grundausbildung im Wasser erwies sich jedoch als enormer Vorteil. Schnelligkeit, Wassergefühl und Antizipation halfen ihm, sich schnell im Mannschaftssport zurechtzufinden. Gleichzeitig betont er, wie wichtig das taktische Verständnis und das frühzeitige Spielen mit Ball für eine langfristige Entwicklung sind.

Ein zentrales Thema des Gesprächs ist die Bedeutung von Spielpraxis. Für Hannes ist klar: Man lernt Wasserball nicht im Training allein, sondern vor allem im Spiel. Junge Spieler müssen Fehler machen dürfen, Verantwortung übernehmen und echte Minuten bekommen – auch wenn das kurzfristig Ergebnisse kosten kann. Genau hier sieht er eine der größten Schwächen des Systems: Viele Talente trainieren gut, bekommen aber nie die Gelegenheit, sich im Wettkampf zu beweisen.

Besonders kritisch spricht Hannes über die Altersphase zwischen 18 und 25 Jahren. In diesem Zeitraum gehen in Deutschland besonders viele Spieler verloren. Schule ist beendet, Studium oder Beruf beginnen, der Trainingsaufwand bleibt hoch – und gleichzeitig fehlt oft eine klare Perspektive. Wer es nicht sofort in die erste Mannschaft oder das Nationalteam schafft, fällt häufig komplett durchs Raster. Für Hannes ist das fatal, denn Leistungssport braucht Zeit, Geduld und individuelle Entwicklungsverläufe.

Seine zentrale Forderung lautet daher: Die Bundesliga muss mit jungen Spielern „geflutet“ werden. Nicht nur zwei oder drei Ausnahmetalente pro Jahrgang, sondern eine breite Masse an Spielern, die regelmäßig auf hohem Niveau trainieren und spielen. Nur so entsteht Wettbewerb, nur so können sich Leistungssprünge entwickeln – und nur so bleibt genügend Spielermaterial erhalten, um langfristig konkurrenzfähig zu sein.

Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt ist die Rolle von Kooperationen zwischen Vereinen. Hannes sieht sie grundsätzlich positiv, warnt aber davor, junge Spieler lediglich als Trainingspartner für Topteams zu nutzen. Kooperationen müssen echte Perspektiven bieten, klare Absprachen enthalten und vor allem sicherstellen, dass Spieler weiterhin Spielzeit in ihren Heimatvereinen bekommen. Entwicklung entsteht nicht auf der Bank, sondern im Wasser.

Auch die Nationalmannschaft kommt zur Sprache. Hannes unterstützt den aktuellen Umbruch und betont, dass junge Spieler zwar früh integriert werden sollten, aber nicht unvorbereitet „ins kalte Wasser“ geworfen werden dürfen. Übergangsteams, Perspektivkader oder zweite Nationalmannschaften könnten helfen, die Lücke zwischen U19 und A-Nationalteam zu schließen.

Trotz aller Kritik bleibt Hannes optimistisch. Er sieht viel Talent in den aktuellen Jahrgängen und ist überzeugt, dass der deutsche Wasserball eine bessere Zukunft haben kann – wenn es gelingt, mehr Spieler im System zu halten, ihnen Perspektiven zu geben und nicht zu früh auszusortieren.

Diese Episode ist ein ehrlicher, praxisnaher und konstruktiver Blick auf Nachwuchsarbeit, Bundesliga-Strukturen und die Frage, wie man Spieler langfristig im Leistungssport halten kann.

🎧 Mehr zum Podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

🤽‍♂️ Pflichtfolge für Trainer, Funktionäre, Spieler und Eltern im Wasserball.

In the second part of his in-depth conversation on the Waterpolo Expert Talk, legendary coach Dejan Udovičić explains one of the most decisive strategic choices he made as head coach of the United States men’s national team: sending his top players to Europe to accelerate their development.

Udovičić openly describes the structural limitations of the American system. Despite the enormous participation numbers created by high school, college and youth programs, the United States cannot offer a professional domestic league comparable to Europe. Conflicts between the NCAA season and national team preparation, limited international exposure and calendar overlaps made it impossible to develop elite players exclusively at home.

Faced with these realities, Udovičić made a bold decision: export the national team. Instead of waiting for structural changes in the US, he actively encouraged players to move abroad. What started with a handful of athletes quickly became a cornerstone of the program. Before COVID-19, seven or eight American players competed in Europe. During and after the pandemic, that number rose to nearly twenty.

Udovičić explains why this step was non-negotiable. Playing in Europe exposes athletes to daily competition against world-class opponents, tactical complexity, physical intensity and pressure situations that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. Step by step, American players integrated into top leagues in Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Croatia, learning how to survive and succeed at the highest level.

He highlights examples such as Ben Hallock, Champions League winner and national team captain, Alex Bowen, World Championship top scorer, and a new generation of younger players who are now establishing themselves across Europe. Over time, the culture shifted: players no longer needed convincing. Those already abroad became the strongest advocates, motivating the next generation to follow.

Udovičić also addresses the challenges this approach creates for a national coach. With players spread across multiple countries, training camps become harder to organize and direct daily supervision is impossible. Still, from his perspective, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Europe provides something the US system cannot: continuous elite pressure.

Beyond player development, the conversation expands to broader themes: long-term planning for Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, the importance of early calendar clarity from World Aquatics and LEN, financial realities of international travel, and why federations must fully support coaches during system rebuilds.

Udovičić draws parallels to the situation in Germany under Petar Porobić, emphasizing that successful rebuilds require patience, trust and a shared language between federation, coaches and players. Resetting a system is painful, but unavoidable if long-term success is the goal.

The episode closes with Udovičić’s trademark realism and optimism: critical situations always start long before they become visible, but with courage, structure and belief in the process, medals will eventually follow.

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

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, legendary coach Dejan Udovičić offers deep and honest insights into his journey from elite player to one of the most influential coaches in modern water polo. Having grown up and developed within the legendary Partizan Belgrade system, coached Serbia, Montenegro and later the United States, Udovičić reflects on culture, coaching philosophy, long-term planning and what truly defines success at the highest level.

Dejan begins by recalling his childhood in Belgrade, where water polo was not just a sport but a defining part of everyday life. Introduced to the pool at a very young age through his father and the Partizan environment, he experienced elite standards from the very first training sessions. Multiple sports shaped his early years, but water polo ultimately became the discipline that demanded the most structure, focus and commitment.

A pivotal moment in the conversation centers on the transition from player to coach. Udovičić openly admits that coaching was never part of his original plan. That changed when his lifelong mentor Nikola Stamenić gave him advice that would shape his entire coaching career:
to forget everything he thought he knew about water polo.

For Udovičić, this was a mental reset. Being a great player does not automatically make someone a great coach. Coaching requires a completely different perspective – understanding people, planning processes, reading development over years instead of moments, and seeing the game not from inside the water but from the outside. This “factory reset,” as he describes it, forced him to relearn water polo from zero, stripping away ego and assumptions.

The episode then explores Udovičić’s experiences across different cultures. Coming from Serbia, where winning is expected and pressure is constant, he later encountered very different environments in the United States. Rather than seeing cultural differences as obstacles, Udovičić recognized immense potential. He explains why the U.S. system, with its high school and college structure, guarantees participation numbers unmatched in Europe – while at the same time lacking the single-minded Olympic focus seen in traditional water polo nations.

Udovičić explains how his coaching philosophy evolved: long-term planning, talent identification at young ages, and the courage to make unpopular decisions. When he took over responsibility, he reduced squad sizes, cut experienced players in favor of high-potential athletes, and built a pipeline starting with players born in 1997 and younger. At the time, these decisions were criticized. Years later, they form the backbone of one of the youngest and most promising national teams in the world.

A key theme throughout the conversation is thinking ahead. Udovičić emphasizes that elite coaching is not about reacting to today’s results, but about anticipating how the game will look in two, four or eight years. In an era where data, video and scouting are globally accessible, the real advantage lies in staying one step ahead – tactically, physically and mentally.

He also addresses the challenge of convincing players, federations and entire communities to trust a long-term vision. Change, he explains, is always uncomfortable. But without courage, clarity and patience, no system can succeed sustainably.

The episode concludes with a clear statement of ambition: building teams capable of competing for medals at Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. For Udovičić, medals are not the starting point, but the result of years of structured work, cultural alignment and belief in the process.

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, coaching mindset and system building, offering valuable lessons far beyond water polo.

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

In the second part of his conversation on the Waterpolo Expert Talk, international player Lucas Gielen goes deep into one of the most defining chapters of his career: his move to Serbia and his time at Partizan Belgrade. What began as a sporting challenge quickly turned into a complete transformation – not only as a player, but also as a person.

Lucas describes his arrival in Belgrade as a true culture shock. Coming from the Netherlands, where sport is structured, safe and balanced with everyday life, Serbia represented the opposite extreme. In Belgrade, water polo was not just a sport – it was a way of survival, a daily fight for places, respect and minutes in the water. For Lucas, this was exactly why he chose Serbia: he wanted to test himself in the hardest possible environment.

Initially arriving to play for Banjiča, Lucas quickly caught the attention of Vlado Vujasinović, who offered him a very clear role at Partizan: play defender, stay strong, take exclusions and help the team. Playing time was not guaranteed. For the first months, Lucas barely played at all. Training, however, was relentless. Long hours in the pool, extra leg work after practice, gym sessions, tactical drills and constant evaluation became the new normal.

A crucial moment came when teammates made something very clear to him:
as a foreign player, he had two options – either be the “easy target” everyone wanted to score against, or become the defender everyone feared playing against. Lucas chose the second path. That decision changed how he trained, how he prepared for games and how he approached every duel in the water.

The Serbian mentality demanded total commitment. Distractions, nightlife and excuses had no place. Training, recovery, nutrition and mental focus were non-negotiable. Lucas explains how this environment steadily broke down mental barriers. Again and again, he was pushed beyond limits he thought he could not cross – only to discover that he could.

By February of his first season, the work began to pay off. Lucas made his Champions League debut for Partizan and later played minutes at the Final Six, including the famous victory over Pro Recco. What seemed impossible six months earlier became reality through discipline, humility and persistence.

Beyond tactics and physical development, Serbia reshaped Lucas’s mindset. Winning was not an option – it was an expectation. Preparation became a daily obsession. Teammates and coaches demanded excellence in every detail. As Lucas puts it, after one year in Belgrade, even his family noticed that he had become a different person.

The conversation also touches on what defines a top coach. For Lucas, elite coaching is the balance between tactical knowledge and human understanding. A great coach knows the game deeply but also understands people, moods and timing. He highlights coaches like Vlado Vujasinović and Petar Kovacević as rare examples who combined both qualities at the highest level.

In the final part of the episode, Lucas reflects on life beyond the pool. Water polo, he says, is not only about titles or medals. It is about relationships, networks, cultures and shared experiences. His current involvement in the United States, connections in Europe and career opportunities after water polo all stem from the relationships built through the sport.

This episode is a powerful insight into elite mentality, personal transformation and why true development only happens when comfort disappears.

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

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.

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

Im zweiten Teil des Gesprächs mit Moritz Schenkel, Nationalspieler von Waspo Hannover, geht es noch tiefer in die strukturellen Probleme des deutschen Wasserballs. Offen, kritisch und zugleich konstruktiv spricht Schenkel über eine der größten Schwachstellen des Systems: den Verlust von Talenten, die den Sport verlassen, weil sie über Jahre hinweg keine echte Perspektive erhalten.

Moritz beschreibt eindrücklich die Lücke zwischen Jugend- und Männerbereich, insbesondere im Alter zwischen 18 und 23 Jahren. In genau dieser Phase entscheiden sich Karrieren – oder enden. Viele Spieler trainieren hart, investieren Zeit und Energie, bekommen aber weder konstante Spielzeit noch gezielte Förderung. Statt Verantwortung zu übernehmen, verlieren sie den Anschluss oder hören komplett auf. Für Schenkel ist klar: Das Problem liegt nicht im fehlenden Willen der Spieler, sondern in den fehlenden Übergangsstrukturen.

Ein zentraler Punkt des Gesprächs ist die Rolle ehemaliger Nationalspieler und erfahrener Akteure. Moritz plädiert dafür, diese Personen viel stärker in Verbände, Vereine und Nachwuchsarbeit einzubinden. Sie bringen nicht nur Fachwissen, sondern vor allem Glaubwürdigkeit, Vorbilder und Identifikation. Genau diese Schnittstellen seien in Deutschland oft unbesetzt – mit fatalen Folgen für die Entwicklung junger Athleten.

Kritisch äußert sich Schenkel auch zur Außendarstellung des Sports. Fehlende Medienarbeit, unübersichtliche Websites, kaum Berichterstattung über Bundesliga und Nationalmannschaft – all das erschwere es, Begeisterung zu erzeugen. Selbst nationale Spiele würden kaum beworben, wodurch wertvolle Chancen zur Sichtbarkeit ungenutzt bleiben. Für einen Nischensport wie Wasserball sei externe Wahrnehmung jedoch überlebenswichtig.

Im Gespräch über die deutsche Nationalmannschaft zeigt sich Moritz dennoch optimistisch. Der aktuelle Weg mit einem sehr jungen Team sei richtig, auch wenn kurzfristige Erfolge nicht garantiert seien. Die anstehenden Weltmeisterschaften betrachtet er als enorme Chance für die Spieler – nicht wegen der Ergebnisse, sondern wegen der Erfahrungen: Spiele vor zehntausenden Zuschauern, Duelle mit Weltklasse-Nationen und der emotionale Druck eines Großevents seien durch nichts zu ersetzen.

Besonders positiv hebt er die Arbeit von Bundestrainer Petar Porobić hervor. Im Vergleich zu früheren Ansätzen erkenne man erstmals wieder einen klaren roten Faden im Training – von der ersten Einheit bis zum Abschlussspiel. Für junge Spieler sei das extrem wertvoll, weil sie lernen, Wasserball nicht schematisch, sondern ganzheitlich und situationsbezogen zu verstehen.

Gleichzeitig bleibt Schenkel realistisch: Deutschland startet aktuell bei null. Die Generation der vergangenen Jahre ist weg, Strukturen müssen neu aufgebaut werden. Entscheidend sei nun, ob Verband, Vereine und Spieler bereit sind, gemeinsam Verantwortung zu übernehmen – oder ob man weiter über Probleme spricht, ohne sie aktiv anzugehen.

Diese Episode ist ein ehrlicher, tiefgehender und sehr relevanter Einblick in die Realität des deutschen Wasserballs – aus Sicht eines aktiven Nationalspielers, der nicht nur kritisiert, sondern Lösungen einfordert.

🎧 Mehr zum Podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de

🤽‍♂️ Für alle, die verstehen wollen, warum Talente verloren gehen – und was sich ändern muss.

In dieser Episode des Waterpolo Expert Talk spricht Moritz Schenkel, Nationalspieler und langjähriger Leistungsträger von Waspo Hannover, ausführlich über die Entwicklung des Vereins, die Rolle von Waspo in der Bundesliga und die strukturellen Herausforderungen des deutschen Wasserballs auf Vereins- und Verbandsebene.

Das Gespräch beginnt in einer besonderen Phase: Moritz befindet sich mitten in der Vorbereitung auf internationale Wettbewerbe mit der Nationalmannschaft. Trotzdem blickt er reflektiert auf seine Karriere zurück – von den Anfängen in Krefeld und Duisburg, über erfolgreiche Jahre beim ASC Duisburg, bis hin zum Wechsel nach Hannover, der sich im Nachhinein als wegweisend erwies.

Moritz beschreibt sehr eindrücklich, wie Waspo Hannover in wenigen Jahren zu einer echten Marke im deutschen Wasserball geworden ist. Nicht durch große Namen allein, sondern durch Teamgeist, klare Visionen und ein starkes Umfeld. Entscheidend war aus seiner Sicht, dass es gelungen ist, Wasserball in Hannover sichtbar zu machen – auch außerhalb der eigenen Szene. Kooperationen mit anderen Sportvereinen, Social-Media-Kampagnen, volle Tribünen bei Champions-League-Spielen und mediale Präsenz haben dazu beigetragen, neue Zielgruppen zu erreichen.

Ein zentraler Teil des Gesprächs widmet sich der Bundesliga-Struktur. Moritz kritisiert offen, dass die Liga sportlich oft wenig Spannung bietet und internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit nur schwer abzubilden ist. Einzelne Highlight-Spiele – etwa im Europapokal – seien notwendig, um Fans zu begeistern. Reine Bundesligaspiele ohne sportliche Bedeutung reichten dafür nicht aus.

Besonders deutlich wird Moritz, wenn es um die Schnittstelle zwischen Bundesliga und Nationalmannschaft geht. Er schildert konkrete Situationen, in denen Nationalspieler nach intensiven Trainingswochen zusätzliche Bundesliga-Spiele absolvieren mussten – ohne klare Priorisierung durch den Verband. Für ihn ist klar: Ohne definierte Ziele, abgestimmte Kalender und echte Unterstützung für Athleten leidet langfristig die Qualität des Sports.

Moritz knüpft dabei direkt an Aussagen von Bundestrainer Petar Porobić an und unterstreicht dessen Kernforderung: Der deutsche Wasserball braucht klare Ziele, klare Zuständigkeiten und eine gemeinsame Strategie. Besonders problematisch sei, dass junge Spieler häufig an finanziellen, organisatorischen oder strukturellen Hürden scheitern – nicht an fehlendem Talent.

Sehr kritisch äußert er sich zur Nachwuchsentwicklung zwischen 16 und 20 Jahren, wo in Deutschland besonders viele Talente verloren gehen. Fehlende Perspektiven, lange Pausen, geringe Spielzeiten und mangelnde Unterstützung führten dazu, dass leistungsbereite Jugendliche den Sport verlassen. Für Moritz ist klar: Der soziale Hintergrund eines Kindes darf niemals darüber entscheiden, ob es Nationalspieler werden kann.

Trotz aller Kritik bleibt der Ton konstruktiv. Moritz betont immer wieder, wie stolz er auf das ist, was mit Waspo Hannover entstanden ist – und dass genau solche Projekte zeigen, welches Potenzial im deutschen Wasserball steckt, wenn Vision, Mut und Zusammenarbeit vorhanden sind.

Diese Episode ist ein offenes, ehrliches und strukturell wichtiges Gespräch über Vereinsarbeit, Markenbildung, Leistungssportrealität und die dringende Notwendigkeit, den deutschen Wasserball gemeinsam weiterzuentwickeln.

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🤽‍♂️ Ein Muss für alle, die Bundesliga-Wasserball und Nationalteam besser verstehen wollen.

In the second part of his appearance on the Waterpolo Expert Talk, international referee Boris Margeta dives deeper into the recent rule changes in water polo, their impact on the game, and why they should be seen as a starting point rather than a finished solution.

Boris begins by sharing some of his most emotional memories as a referee, including his first Olympic Games in Sydney 2000, which coincided with his birthday. The experience, the atmosphere and the support from fellow referees shaped his decision to fully commit to refereeing at the highest level. Another unforgettable moment was the dramatic final in Rome between Serbia and Spain, a marathon match decided after extra time and penalties in front of a packed crowd – a perfect example of water polo as a spectacular, global sport.

The conversation then shifts to pre-game preparation and rituals. Despite decades of experience, Boris explains that fear, adrenaline and nervousness never disappear – and shouldn’t. To stay focused, he isolates himself on match day, limits communication, listens to calming music, prays, speaks with his wife and prepares mentally to enter the pool fully concentrated. For him, every final is treated like the first final.

A major topic of the episode is refereeing culture across countries. Boris strongly rejects the idea that different nations interpret the rules differently. There is only one rulebook, one referee association and one philosophy. Cultural differences may affect communication styles, but not the application of the rules. Referees must never be perceived as enemies. Clear communication, warnings, understanding advantage and feeling the rhythm of the game are far more important than rigid punishment.

One of the most quoted statements of the episode captures his philosophy perfectly:
“First learn the rulebook. Then throw it in the garbage and referee with the flow of the game.”
Knowing the rules deeply allows referees to apply advantage correctly, protect attacking play and reward movement instead of static wrestling.

When discussing the new water polo rules, Boris is clear: the direction is right. The sport had become too static, too physical and difficult to understand for spectators. The new rules protect movement, reduce holding and increase speed. Statistics prove that the game is now faster and more dynamic. However, he believes this process is not finished. He argues for even stricter punishment of two-handed holding and clearer interpretation of penalties, emphasizing that water itself already creates resistance and danger.

Boris also places water polo in a broader context, noting that all major sports are changing rules – football, handball and basketball included – to become faster, clearer and more attractive for fans and broadcasters.

A particularly critical part of the conversation focuses on the status of referees. Unlike football or handball, water polo referees remain largely amateur. Boris openly criticizes the reality that referees may officiate a Champions League final for minimal compensation or spend weeks at major tournaments without financial support from their federations. Without structural change, professional officiating at the highest level is impossible.

Reflecting on recent events like the Champions League Final Eight in Belgrade, Boris explains that the pressure of a final is no different from any other important match. Whether it is a local league final or a European final, referees must approach every game with the same professionalism, respect and emotional control.

The episode concludes with a look ahead to the World Championships, Boris’s excitement to reunite with colleagues after the pandemic, and his belief that young German players will benefit enormously from competing against the world’s best teams – regardless of short-term results.

This episode offers a rare, honest and authoritative perspective on refereeing, rule evolution and the future of water polo from one of the sport’s