After two days of flatwater racing, the time has arrived to enjoy some spectacular goals and collisions as Canoe Polo action begins at The World Games Chengdu 2025 on Wednesday.
Having featured at every Games since its debut at Duisburg 2005, Canoe Polo has always delivered breathtaking action and drama at the multi-sport event.
In Chengdu, it is going to be no different, considering the array of talent who will take to the pool at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Center.
Many of them will have fond memories of China, with the country hosting the 2024 International Canoe Federation Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing.
Among them are Germany and New Zealand, who won the men’s and women’s gold medals, respectively.
The German men’s team has had a fantastic record at The World Games, having won the title in the previous three editions.
And if form is anything to go by, all directions point towards a four-peat for the mighty Germans led by Jonas Vieren.
With most of the squad part of the triumph three years ago, experience will be a vital factor on the road to the final.
For Erik Beukenbusch and Leon Max Paul Konrad, it will also be an opportunity to soak in and learn from the best.
“We are ready and will work on our performance match to match. For all teams, this is the most important event this year. The French and the Spanish, in my eyes, are the biggest opponents at the moment. We also don’t know what to expect from Great Britain, Italy, and Denmark. Denmark is the reigning European champions. We will see. I am just looking forward to a great competition and fight for every match.”
Germany will face Great Britain, Italy, and China in Group A, while France, Denmark, Spain, and Poland are the men’s teams in Group B. The second group is sure to provide more exciting match-ups, with each of them capable of staging an upset.
France were runners-up at the World Championships last year, followed by the Danes, who will look to add to the European Championships title they won two years ago.
In the women’s category, New Zealand will start as the reigning world champions, along with dark horses Iran, Germany, and hosts China in Group A.
The Paddle Ferns dominated in the World Championships final in 2024, battering Italy 6-1, and sounded confident ahead of the opener.
“We’ve settled into the Athletes’ Village and are enjoying the atmosphere and the chance to watch and support other sports,” New Zealand women’s team captain Tania Dugdale said.
“With the Canoe Polo venue looking amazing, we’re excited for the games to begin.
“The team’s feeling fast, fierce, and strong, and we’re ready to bring some high-level polo to the pitch!”
Iran pushed some of the top teams to their limits in Deqing last year, finishing fourth, while Germany, silver medallists in Birmingham, will hope to bounce back after a fifth place at the World Championships.
In Group B, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark will face each other, and, similar to the men’s draw, will have some tight games.
All teams in the group stages will play three games each before proceeding to the quarter-finals stage.
For the full schedule, click here.
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