Podcast Episodes

Discover conversations with players, coaches, experts and personalities from the international world of water polo.

From Olympic champions and international stars to coaches, young talents and the people shaping the future of the sport – explore the latest episodes of the Waterpolo Expert Talk.

Different perspectives. Different stories. One shared passion: water polo.

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#139 · Unai Lema

From Barceloneta to ASC Duisburg – The Next Step
Why would a 20-year-old Spanish talent leave one of the world’s leading water polo clubs for a new challenge in Germany?
Unai Lema talks about his development at CN Atlètic-Barceloneta, the transition from junior to senior water polo and why joining ASC Duisburg is the right next step in his career.
→ Listen to Episode #139

#138 · Tarek Elias – Part 2

Between Elite Sport Funding and Structural Challenges
What needs to change for water polo and other smaller sports to compete in an increasingly professional sporting environment?
In Part 2, Tarek Elias discusses coaching development, athlete funding, Homegrown rules, Safe Sport, media visibility and the structural challenges facing German water polo and elite sport.
→ Listen to Episode #138

#137 · Tarek Elias – Part 1

Athleten Deutschland – How Sports Policy Really Affects Elite Athletes

What happens behind the scenes when decisions about elite sport are made?
Tarek Elias from Athleten Deutschland provides insights into athlete representation, sports policy, public affairs and the future of elite athlete funding in Germany.
→ Listen to Episode #137

#136 · Karl Izzo – Part 2

Malta’s Water Polo Reform – Coaching, League Expansion & the Future of 4x4

How can a small water polo nation create sustainable structures for the future?
Karl Izzo discusses Malta’s approach to professionalizing coaching education, developing its domestic league and the potential impact of new formats such as 4x4 water polo.
→ Listen to Episode #136

#135 · Karl Izzo – Part 1

## Malta’s Rise – Building a Sustainable Water Polo Future
How has Malta developed into one of the most interesting emerging water polo nations in Europe?
Malta Aquatics Federation President Karl Izzo talks about financial restructuring, youth development, hosting major international events and his vision for the future of Maltese water polo.
→ Listen to Episode #135

#134 · Gergely Kiss – Part 2

Olympic Glory, MVP Honors & Life After Water Polo
What does the Olympic experience feel like when you have already reached the very top of the sport?
Three-time Olympic champion Gergely Kiss reflects on Olympic pressure, winning MVP honors, Hungary’s legendary team mentality and his transition from elite athlete to life beyond the pool.
→ Listen to Episode #134

#133 · Gergely Kiss – Part 1

Three Olympic Gold Medals & the Hungarian Championship Mindset
What does it take to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals?
Hungarian water polo legend Gergely Kiss shares the culture, mentality and values behind one of the greatest generations in water polo history – and explains why Hungary continues to produce world-class players.
→ Listen to Episode #133

#132 · Sascha Seifert – Part 2

„Wir müssen die Rahmenbedingungen verbessern“
Wie kann sich der deutsche Wasserball sportlich und strukturell weiterentwickeln?
Nationalspieler Sascha Seifert spricht über Bundesliga-Reformen, Nachwuchsförderung, die Sieben-Deutsche-Regel, bessere Rahmenbedingungen für Spieler und die dringend benötigte Sichtbarkeit des deutschen Wasserballs.
→ Episode #132 anhören

#131 · Sascha Seifert – Part 1

Leistungssport, Bundesliga & der Alltag beim ASC Duisburg
Wie sieht der Alltag eines deutschen Wasserball-Nationalspielers zwischen Bundesliga, internationalem Wettbewerb, Studium und Training aus?
Sascha Seifert spricht über seinen sportlichen Weg, den ASC Duisburg, Leistungssport in Deutschland und die Herausforderungen, Sport, Studium und persönliche Entwicklung miteinander zu verbinden.
→ Episode #131 anhören

#130 · Brian Xicotencatl – Part 2

 “You Can’t Sprint Every Day” – Smarter Training for Water Polo
How can water polo players train harder without sacrificing recovery and long-term performance?
Performance specialist Brian Xicotencatl explains training structure, sprint physiology, HRV monitoring and why data-driven recovery should play a much bigger role in modern water polo.
→ Listen to Episode #130

#129 · Brian Xicotencatl – Part 1

“You Can’t Out-Train Poor Recovery” – Performance & Recovery in Water Polo
What if better performance in water polo isn’t about training more – but about recovering smarter?
In Part 1, performance specialist Brian Xicotencatl explains why recovery is one of the most underestimated factors in water polo performance. We discuss sleep, training load, recovery strategies and how athletes and coaches can use data to make better decisions.
→ Listen to Episode #129

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Since 2020, the **Waterpolo Expert Talk** has brought together players, coaches, experts and personalities from across the international water polo community.