YOUNG WATER POLO SQUAD EYES FOUR-YEAR AMBITION
A young British water polo squad with the ultimate aim of
performing in front of their home crowds at the London 2012
Olympics will be able to measure their progress at a major
European event this weekend.
Britain is sending a squad of 13 to the LEN Men's Youth Water
Polo Qualification Tournament in Slovenia where they will
be looking to qualify Britain for this summer's European Youth
Water Polo Championships.
The squad's appearance in Kranj is the product of four year's
hard work within the British Water Polo development system
and they have high hopes for themselves after securing impressive
performances and results since the start of the year.
The group, aged 17 and 18, have worked their way through
the Academy and Youth system, and now have it all to play
for as they try to secure a place for Britain at the European
Championships in September.
British Head Coach Tim Dunsbee is looking forward to seeing
the squad in action when the four-day event gets underway
on Thursday (10th May).
"It is a squad of young men that have been part of the
development process for the past four years," said Dunsbee.
"Gradually their numbers have been whittled down and
we're now left with an extremely competent squad of 13 who
we're very excited about.
"This competition has been the motivation and focus
of this young group of athletes since 2003 and we feel they
are in great shape to show the progress made.
"Many of the group will continue their development as
we put together a team for the London 2012 Olympics and this
competition is a major part of their progression."
The competition, which features 23 nations, will be split
into three groups of six and a group of five.
Britain will face France, Portugal, Slovenia, Belgium and
Austria, and the top two from each group will qualify for
the European Championships.
"The French are going to be a very strong outfit and
Slovenia should also be a major threat," said Dunsbee.
"The Slovenia game should be tight and could ultimately
determine which nation qualifies.
"Playing the Slovenians at home is a big ask and will
prove very tough but the squad is well prepared and will be
eyeing qualification to the Europeans. We will definitely
be competitive but it will be tight as to who progresses."
Britain will play five games in just four days in what is
a physically and mentally demanding sport but they have worked
hard to overcome this challenge.
"Our preparation has been very good. Recently we've
played in tournaments in Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic.
We won two of these and finished runners-up in the other.
"It's difficult to play five games in four days but
it's what they've been training for so they'll be well prepared
for it.
"They're a superb bunch of athletes who are mentally
very mature and who are very focused and determined to do
well in the sport. They have 2012 as the ultimate ambition
and they're very driven individuals as a result.
"They're put together some impressive performances since
the start of the year and go to Slovenia in very good shape.
There's no doubt they'll perform to the best of their abilities
but sometimes you can play you very best and still be beaten
by a better team."
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