In dieser Episode des Waterpolo Expert Talk spricht Kevin Götz, Bundesligatorhüter von Waspo Hannover und deutscher Nationalspieler, ausführlich über die besondere Rolle des Torwarts im Wasserball, über Konkurrenz, Vertrauen und warum gesunde Rivalität ein entscheidender Faktor für Leistung und Entwicklung ist.

Kevin beginnt mit einem Rückblick auf seine Anfänge im Wasserball. Wie bei vielen Spielern war auch bei ihm der Einstieg eher zufällig. Über den Geburtstag seines Bruders und einen Besuch im Schwimmbad wurde er von einem Trainer angesprochen – und blieb dem Sport seitdem treu. Dass er schließlich im Tor landete, war ebenfalls kein langfristiger Plan, sondern entwickelte sich Schritt für Schritt aus seinen ersten sportlichen Erfahrungen.

Ein zentraler Teil des Gesprächs dreht sich um die Torwartposition. Kevin beschreibt sehr offen, warum das Zusammenspiel zwischen Torhütern besonders sensibel ist. In einer Mannschaft gibt es meist nur ein oder zwei Positionen, auf denen echte Konkurrenz herrscht – im Tor ist das besonders ausgeprägt. Trotzdem betont er, dass Rivalität nur dann leistungsfördernd ist, wenn sie von Respekt, Professionalität und Vertrauen begleitet wird. Dauerhafte Spannungen oder persönliche Konflikte würden nicht nur dem Einzelnen, sondern dem gesamten Team schaden.

Kevin spricht dabei auch über seine eigenen Vereinswechsel und Entscheidungen. Der Wechsel zu Waspo Hannover war für ihn bewusst ein Schritt in ein professionelleres Umfeld mit klaren sportlichen Zielen. Obwohl die Torhütersituation zunächst anspruchsvoll war, sieht er Konkurrenz nicht als Bedrohung, sondern als Chance, sich gemeinsam weiterzuentwickeln. Wer am Ende spielt, entscheidet die Leistung – nicht der Name.

Besonders interessant sind Kevins Einblicke in die Teamchemie außerhalb des Beckens. Gemeinsame Zeit abseits von Training und Spielbetrieb – ob in der Schule, im Internat oder im Urlaub – sei oft entscheidend dafür, ob eine Mannschaft im entscheidenden Moment füreinander kämpft. Kleine zusätzliche Wege, ein Extra-Meter im Wasser oder eine zusätzliche Parade entstehen häufig aus genau diesem Zusammenhalt.

Auch die Nachwuchsentwicklung nimmt einen großen Raum ein. Kevin schildert, wie wichtig frühe Einsätze junger Spieler in der Bundesliga sind, um den Übergang von Jugend- zu Herrenbereich abzufedern. Wer bereits mit 16 oder 17 erste Erfahrungen im Erwachsenenbereich sammelt, ist später deutlich besser vorbereitet. Gleichzeitig warnt er davor, Talente zu früh abzuschreiben. Entwicklung verlaufe nicht linear – manche Spieler brauchen einfach mehr Zeit.

Ein weiteres wichtiges Thema ist das Aufhören junger Spieler. Kevin betont, dass der Sport es sich nicht leisten kann, motivierte Jugendliche zu verlieren. Nicht jeder muss Bundesliga oder Nationalteam spielen. Auch zweite Ligen, andere Vereine oder neue Rollen wie Trainer, Schiedsrichter oder Funktionär seien wertvolle Wege, um dem Wasserball erhalten zu bleiben.

Diese Episode bietet einen ehrlichen, differenzierten und praxisnahen Einblick in die Welt der Torhüter, in Teamdynamiken und in die Herausforderungen der Nachwuchsarbeit im deutschen Wasserball.

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

🤽‍♂️ Besonders spannend für Torhüter, Trainer, Eltern und Nachwuchsspieler.

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, World Champion Alberto Munárriz shares an honest and reflective perspective on what makes the Olympic Games so unique – and why one specific moment stands out above all others: playing an Olympic semifinal.

Alberto begins by explaining why the Olympics occupy a completely different place compared to World Championships or European Championships. Held only once every four years, the Olympic Games combine sporting pressure with global attention on a scale unmatched by any other competition. For athletes in less globally visible sports like water polo, the Olympics represent the rare moment when the entire world is watching.

He vividly describes the atmosphere surrounding the Games – from the massive investment in venues and infrastructure to the intensity created by media coverage, national expectations and the sheer symbolism of competing for your country. Representing Team Spain is not just about winning a match, but about contributing to the overall medal count and national pride.

A key part of the conversation focuses on life inside the Olympic Village. Munárriz highlights how sharing everyday spaces with the best athletes in the world creates a unique sense of equality and connection. Eating together, living in the same buildings and encountering sporting icons like Rafael Nadal in elevators reinforces the feeling that, at the Olympics, everyone stands on the same level.

When asked about his most personal Olympic memory, Alberto does not hesitate:
playing the Olympic semifinal.
After missing the semifinal in Rio, stepping into that match was emotionally powerful. The day before the game, the build-up, the expectations and the collective focus made the experience unforgettable – even though Spain ultimately lost to Serbia. For Munárriz, the value of that moment goes far beyond the final score.

The episode then turns toward advice for young athletes. Alberto stresses that while dreaming big is important, enjoyment must always come first. His central message is clear: have fun. Enjoying training, games and daily routines makes long-term commitment possible and sustainable. Big goals like the Olympics should be approached step by step, through small, achievable milestones.

Munárriz shares how he personally structured his development. Rather than obsessing over the Olympic Games as a distant goal, he focused on immediate objectives: breaking into the first team, playing his first match, then becoming a regular starter. Each step brought him closer to the ultimate dream without overwhelming pressure.

Recovery and regeneration are also discussed. With many games played in short periods during major tournaments and the Champions League, Alberto emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s body. Breathing techniques, stretching, quality sleep and occasional cold baths are part of his routine, but he underlines that recovery is highly individual and must be adapted to personal needs.

The conversation closes with reflections on longevity in modern sport. Thanks to improved medical support, recovery methods and professional care, today’s athletes are able to compete at a high level for longer than previous generations. Munárriz expresses gratitude for being able to live this life, travel across Europe, play in the Champions League and continue representing his country at the highest level.

This episode is a calm, thoughtful and inspiring insight into Olympic pressure, personal fulfillment and why the journey matters just as much as the destination.

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

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Alberto Munárriz, World Champion with Spain, reflects on one of the most meaningful moments of his career: winning the World Championship after years of coming painfully close.

Alberto begins by introducing his personal journey. Raised in northern Spain, he initially played football like most children before discovering water polo through his family. His father, a former goalkeeper, and close relatives already involved in the sport influenced his early decision to switch. At the age of ten, Munárriz fully committed to water polo, later moving from Water Polo Navarra to CN Barceloneta, where he has been playing since 2013 while also becoming a core player of the Spanish national team.

A major focus of the conversation is Spain’s path to the world title. Munárriz explains how important the group stage draw was and how tactical planning, recovery and mental preparation shaped the tournament. With limited preparation time after the Champions League Final Eight, the team’s first priority was recovery, followed by sharpening defensive structure and match readiness.

Alberto describes how Spain gradually grew into the tournament. Early games were marked by nervousness and adjustment to new conditions, but from the quarterfinals onward the team found its rhythm. The quarterfinal against Montenegro was physical and tight, decided by a single goal, while the semifinal showcased Spain’s defensive solidity and tactical control.

The emotional heart of the episode centers on the final. Munárriz openly discusses the mental burden Spain carried into the match. Over the previous years, Spain had lost major finals – including the 2018 European Championship final against Serbia, the World Championship final against Italy, and the 2020 European Championship final against Hungary – often by penalties. Each loss added pressure, but also experience.

According to Munárriz, winning the final was a form of liberation. Spain had learned how to play decisive matches, how to manage pressure, and how to trust the process. While acknowledging Italy’s outstanding tournament, he firmly believes Spain played the better water polo in the final and deserved the title.

He emphasizes that finals are not only about tactics and physical preparation. They are psychological battles that require experience, emotional control and the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Winning or losing by penalties does not define the quality of a team – but learning from those moments does.

The episode concludes with Munárriz reflecting on the Olympic Games, describing them as an entirely different level of competition, and underlining how Spain’s journey toward the world title has strengthened the team for future challenges.

This episode offers an authentic, insightful and emotional perspective on what it takes to finally cross the finish line after years of being close – and why championships are often won long before the final whistle.

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

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Olympic water polo star Alex Bowen offers a deeply personal and reflective insight into what it truly means to attend the Olympic Games. Drawing from his experiences in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, Bowen describes the Games not just as a sporting event, but as a once-in-a-lifetime life experience that shapes athletes far beyond competition.

Alex begins by describing the emotional weight of arriving at the Olympics for the first time. As a teenager, he once drew himself competing at the Olympic Games as part of a school assignment. Years later, stepping into the Olympic Village felt surreal – the realization that every early morning practice, every sacrifice and every setback had led to this moment. For him, the Olympics represent the ultimate test: a stage where an athlete shows what a lifetime of work looks like under maximum pressure.

He paints a vivid picture of life inside the Olympic Village, comparing it to living inside a movie. Sharing meals and space with athletes he had previously only seen on television – NBA players, tennis stars, golfers and Olympians from every corner of the world – created a unique atmosphere that no other sporting event can replicate. Bowen explains why staying in the village is such a crucial part of the Olympic experience, and why athletes who stay outside often miss an irreplaceable social and cultural dimension.

The conversation also explores the stark contrast between Rio and Tokyo. While Rio allowed for full interaction, socializing and spontaneous encounters, Tokyo was heavily shaped by COVID-19 restrictions. Limited movement, strict protocols and the constant fear of quarantine changed the dynamic dramatically. Bowen shares powerful stories of teammates and friends who missed competitions due to close-contact rules, highlighting how fragile Olympic dreams can be.

Beyond the Games themselves, Alex explains the importance of international multi-sport events such as the Pan American Games, often unfamiliar to European audiences. Comparable to the European Championships, these events serve as Olympic qualifiers for the Americas and play a key role in building competitive experience, team identity and pressure resilience. Bowen reflects on winning gold in Toronto 2015 and competing in Lima 2019, emphasizing how these tournaments help prepare athletes for the Olympic stage.

A major theme of the episode is personal growth through exposure to different cultures. Playing and competing across continents allowed Bowen to better understand how different societies approach sport, teamwork and ambition. These experiences, he explains, are just as valuable as medals.

The episode also touches on Bowen’s club career and his move to France, where he joined a league that is rapidly growing in competitiveness and international relevance. Playing in Paris, competing in Champions League qualification rounds and facing strong domestic rivals such as Marseille represent the next step in his ongoing development.

In the final part of the conversation, Bowen reflects on role models and learning from others. Rather than idolizing a single player, he describes himself as an “amalgamation” of many influences – teammates, opponents and mentors from different stages of his career. His message to young athletes is clear: steal what you can, learn constantly and never believe the puzzle is finished.

This episode is a powerful, honest and inspiring reflection on Olympic dreams, reality, pressure and the lifelong journey of growth through sport.

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

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.

🎧 More about the podcast: https

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