Game 1: Slovakia 7 v 12 GBR

Great Britain’s senior women returned to the European Championships with a 7-12 (1-5, 0-3, 3-2, 3-2) victory against Slovakia in Eindhoven on Friday 05 Jan 2024.
Captain Kathy Rogers fired in a hat-trick, while there were also goals for Annie Clapperton (2), Toula Falvey (2), Lily Turner (1), Amelia Peters (1), Katie Brown (1), Katy Cutler (1) and Vicki Hawkins (1).
Coach Nick Buller commented after the win, “I think it was important for us to start well – that’s what we emphasised – and to start calmly.
“So, I was pleased with the way we started the game.
“We met that objective, wasn’t pleased with the second half, but overall, we’re pretty pleased with the result, to get the win.”

Game 2: Bulgaria 6 v 19 GBR

Great Britain’s senior women make it two wins from two at the European Championships with a powerful 6-19 (1-5, 1-6, 2-4, 2-4) victory over Bulgaria on Saturday morning 06 Jan 2024. https://youtu.be/oKnumkkBBm4?si=ZTWGxEn0TibmkG9g
Toula Falvey top scored with five goals, while Katy Cutler (4), Kathy Rogers (1), Niamh Moloney (2), Katie Brown (1), Annie Clapperton (2), Lily Turner (1), Vicki Hawkins (1), Amelie Perkins (1), Brooke Tafazolli (1) were also among the goals.

Game 3: Germany 6 v 12 GBR

Great Britain’s senior women made it three wins from three at the European Championships with a dominant 6-12 (1-3, 0-3, 3-5, 2-1) victory against Germany on Sunday 07 Jan 2024.
The impressive win maintains Great Britain’s 100% record at the tournament and sees them finish top of Group D with maximum points.
Our goalscorers were Toula Falvey (4), Lily Turner (4), Katie Brown (2), Kathy Rogers (1) and Vicki Hawkins (1).
Head coach Nick Buller commented after the game, “We’re pleased with our performance today although we could have done better in the last quarter, and we’ll be looking at the video and asking ourselves how we could improve.
“We will be looking to ensure that we attack with intent, that we have good control of the ball and most importantly, that we are in good positions when we’re shooting.
“Our goalkeeper today, Sophie Jackson, was fantastic, and I thought Alex our second goalkeeper was brilliant yesterday. We’ve got a strong team and it’s a team effort that’s achieving the results.”
Captain Kathy Rogers said, “This was a really good team performance, starting from defence with Jackson, and then all the way up.
“We were a little nervous, but as soon as yesterday’s game ended, our focus had moved to Germany.
“We had viewed their match videos and so we had the right sort of nerves!
“Our focus was to start with defence, but push hard and breakaway quickly. Germany have some really smart players, but we were able to manage the game and can now look forward to the crossover.”

Game 4: Israel 13 v 14 GBR

Great Britain are through to the quarterfinals of the European Water Polo Championships after winning a dramatic and tense penalty shootout 4-5 against Israel.
Penalties were needed to separate the two sides after a thrilling 9-9 (3-3, 2-2, 3-3, 1-1) contest that was entertaining and exciting from the very start.
Amelia Peters fired in the winning penalty to spark wild celebrations in and out of the pool, after Toula Falvey, Lily Turner, Kathy Rogers and Annie Clapperton had also kept their nerve in the shootout.
Great Britain were never ahead in the game, and were behind by two on three occasions, but they never gave up, constantly fighting back and giving everything as they rocked Israel time and time again.
Toula Falvey was immense on 2m once more, leading the scoring with three, with her hat-trick goal for 9-9 at 3.40 remaining the one that ultimately forced penalties.
Captain Kathy Rogers (2), Lily Turner (2), Katy Cutler (1) and Katie Brown (1) were our other scorers, but a shoutout is needed to the entire squad. What a team! What a performance!
Everyone here in Eindhoven and back home is so proud of everything you’ve achieved! Alex Robinson, Amelia Peters, Amelie Perkins, Annie Clapperton, Brooke Tafazolli, Kathy Rogers, Katie Brown, Katy Cutler, Vicki Hawkins, Lily Turner, Lotte Van Wingerden, Niamh Moloney, Sophie Jackson & Toula Falvey. https://youtube.com/shorts/btkFL2FEy1Q?si=EyGTHhC3_ojM7I3I

Game 5: Netherlands 25 v 6 GBR

Great Britain were beaten by the world champions and hosts Netherlands 25-6 (7-1, 8-2, 3-1, 7-2) in the quarterfinals of the European Water Polo Championships on Tuesday 09 Jan 2024.
After sensationally securing a top-eight finish by winning last night’s thrilling shootout with Israel, Nick Buller’s squad now turn their attentions to Thursday’s 5th-8th semifinals.
Great Britain have already defied the odds to make it this far, and with a ticket for the World Championships on offer for 7th place, there’s still lots to play for here in Eindhoven.
“The Netherlands are the world champions, so we knew it was going be a hard game, but the girls really pushed and fought to the end,” commented Amelie Perkins after scoring twice in the quarterfinal.
When asked about what it means for Great Britain to reach the top-eight, and what the team’s goals are for the future, Amelie added, “I think growing the sport in our country and inspiring the younger generation as they come through.
“We want to give them something to aim for and look towards, because we never thought we’d go this far. So yeah, we’re really pleased.”

Game 6: GBR 5 v 21 Hungary

Great Britain will face Croatia in Saturday’s 7th/8th final at the European Championships after losing 5-21 (1-7, 1-4, 1-4, 2-6) to Olympic bronze medallists Hungary on Thursday 11 Jan 2024. After successfully qualifying for the 2026 European Championships in Belgrade, where Great Britain will play in the first division due to their top eight finish in Eindhoven, Nick Buller’s squad will now battle Croatia for the final remaining ticket to next month’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Great Britain’s goalscorers versus Hungary were captain Kathy Rogers (2), Toula Falvey (1), Katie Brown (1) and Amelie Perkins (1).
After playing against Hungary, Toula Falvey commented on the game, “We came into it knowing that it was going to be a super hard game.
“But before the game, we decided on a couple of things that we really wanted to focus on, like field blocks and little victories that we could get in this game, and we were happy with that. And we’re focused on our next game now.
“We’re playing Croatia on Saturday, and it’s a huge game for us. We’re trying to qualify for the Worlds with this game and we’re super excited about the opportunity to play in this, and we’re super focused, and super ready for Saturday.”

Game 7: Croatia 9 v 11 GBR

DOHA-BOUND! Great Britain have qualified for the 2024 World Championships after a sensational 9-11 (2-1, 2-1, 4-5, 1-4) victory against Croatia.
Incredible scenes in Eindhoven as Great Britain produced a huge late comeback to stun Croatia and book their place in next month’s tournament in Qatar!
Croatia were leading 9-7 midway through the final period, but four unanswered goals from captain Kathy Rogers (2), Lily Turner and Toula Falvey completed a remarkable turnaround.
Captain Kathy Rogers commented after the game, “This means so much, we’re so excited.
“We can be so proud, as our team is not a professional setup – we have solicitors, architects, teachers…
“So to come here and perform at this level is incredible and hopefully to now go to the World Champs.
“We’re an unfunded team, so we’ve got our fingers crossed to go, but we’ll see…
“It’s tough, we have to turn around now to our national governing body and ask, and see what we can do…
“Our players have to request time off work… There’s a few of us that are lucky enough to play abroad, but we’ve got our fingers crossed. We’re really hoping for it.
“Our first time back on the world stage was last May, so we’re less than a year out and I think our inexperience came out at the beginning of the game, and then we settled down and we came through.
“It was a real team win, we were all focusing on this Croatia game and we came through as a team.
“This team is all about supporting each other, we’re all here to build each other up as players and learn from each other and just grow as a team.
“Also, all the girls at home made us the team that we are today – our entire squad is here with us celebrating.
“I’m now going to celebrate with the team, and thank all of our parents, as we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”

Great Britain’s women with their ticket to the World Championships!

Image credit: European Aquatics

Video credit: Cecily Turner, Jill Dean