Episodes

  • Karl Izzo on Malta’s rise: Hosting europe’s biggest Waterpolo events & building a sustainable future

    Karl Izzo on Malta’s rise: Hosting europe’s biggest Waterpolo events & building a sustainable future
    Feb 28 2026
    In this episode of the Water Polo Expert Talk, Karl Izzo, President of the Malta Aquatics Federation, shares an in-depth update on Malta’s remarkable rise in European water polo. Since the beginning of his presidency, Malta has re-established itself on the international map by hosting major European and World Aquatics events, including multiple Final Four tournaments, European Championships, and World Cup competitions. Beyond event hosting, Malta achieved its best-ever national team result with a historic 13th place at the European Championships in Belgrade — a significant milestone for one of Europe’s smallest countries. Karl explains the strategic pillars behind this progress: rebuilding relationships with European Aquatics and World Aquatics, investing in coaching education, strengthening safeguarding structures, and stabilizing the federation’s financial situation. After years of financial challenges, Malta recorded a positive financial balance, enabling reinvestment into clubs, youth development, grassroots programs, and international participation. The episode also addresses ongoing challenges such as referee development, domestic club rivalry, and increasing participation numbers. Karl outlines Malta’s renewed focus on school programs, youth academies, Splash Ball initiatives for younger age groups, and the expansion of women’s water polo to ensure long-term sustainability. This conversation provides valuable insights into sports governance, federation leadership, financial restructuring, grassroots development, and how smaller nations can compete internationally through clear strategy and consistent execution. 👉 If you enjoy in-depth insights into international water polo development, leadership, and performance strategies, make sure to subscribe to the Water Polo Expert Talk and share this episode with coaches, federation leaders, and water polo enthusiasts worldwide. For more episodes, resources, and updates visit: 🌐 www.schulzekopp.de 🔗 https://linktr.ee/andreasschulzekopp Stay connected, follow the podcast, and be part of the global water polo community.
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    16 mins
  • Gergely Kiss on Olympic Glory, MVP Honors & Life After Water Polo (Part 2)

    Gergely Kiss on Olympic Glory, MVP Honors & Life After Water Polo (Part 2)
    Feb 21 2026
    What does it truly feel like to walk into the Olympic Village for the first time — and how does that feeling change after winning three gold medals? In Part 2 of our conversation with Hungarian legend Gergely Kiss, we go deeper into the Olympic experience, the mindset of champions, and life after elite sport. Kiss shares emotional insights from his first Olympic Games in Sydney — describing it as a “Disney fairy tale” moment. He reflects on how the magic of the Olympic Village, meeting global superstars like Kobe Bryant, Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi, and seeing the Olympic flame every day shaped his mindset before competition. But admiration quickly turned into focus. Hungary didn’t travel to the Olympics as tourists — they came as soldiers with one goal: to win gold. In this episode, we talk about: – The psychological difference between a first and third Olympic Games – Why the Olympic flame became a personal symbol of strength – Winning MVP at the 2004 Athens Olympics – Why team success always matters more than individual awards – The mentality behind Hungary’s golden generation – Transitioning from athlete to leader, speaker and sports executive – Building youth structures and developing the next generation – Documentary filmmaking and preserving Olympic legacy Kiss explains why his generation prioritized unity over ego — and why gold medals mattered more than individual trophies. He also opens up about retirement, disappointment after London 2012, and how he rebuilt his life beyond professional water polo. Today, he works in sports promotion, youth development, motivational speaking, and film production — continuing to shape Hungarian water polo from outside the pool. This episode is about Olympic mindset, legacy, leadership, and what happens after the medals are won. 👉 For more expert interviews and elite performance insights, visit: https://www.schulzekopp.de 🎧 Subscribe to the Waterpolo Expert Talk Podcast and share this episode with your teammates and coaches.
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    19 mins
  • Gergely Kiss on Winning Three Olympic Gold Medals & the Hungarian Championship Mindset

    Gergely Kiss on Winning Three Olympic Gold Medals & the Hungarian Championship Mindset
    Feb 14 2026
    What does it take to win three Olympic gold medals — and grow up in the most successful water polo nation in history? In Episode 133 of the Waterpolo Expert Talk Podcast, we welcome Hungarian legend Gergely Kiss, three-time Olympic gold medalist, world champion, European champion, and part of one of the most dominant national teams in water polo history. Hungary is the most successful Olympic water polo nation ever, with nine gold medals — and Gergely Kiss grew up inside that tradition. In this conversation, he shares how history, culture, and national identity shape Hungarian water polo and why the Olympic dream starts at a very young age in Hungary. We talk about: – Why water polo is the oldest Olympic team sport – How Hungarian tradition creates championship mentality – What separated Kiss’ golden generation from others – The mindset required to win consistently at the Olympic Games – Education, humility, and hard work as pillars of success – Differences between generations in elite sport – Why water polo struggles in Western Europe – Structural challenges in countries like Germany and France – The importance of swimming skills and youth development – How beach water polo could help grow the sport globally Gergely Kiss explains why his generation was built on humility, discipline, and academic excellence — with more than 35 university degrees among 21 Olympic players. He reflects on growing up in a post-communist Hungary, how adversity shaped character, and why modern generations face different motivational environments. Beyond medals, this episode is about culture, identity, and what it truly means to represent your country at the Olympic Games. If you are interested in elite mindset, Olympic performance, generational leadership, and the future of European water polo, this is a must-listen episode. 👉 For more expert interviews and performance insights, visit: https://www.schulzekopp.de 🎧 Subscribe to the Waterpolo Expert Talk Podcast and share this episode with your teammates, coaches, and athletes.
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    22 mins
  • „Wir müssen die Rahmenbedingungen verbessern“ – Sascha Seifert über Bundesliga, Nachwuchs und Sichtbarkeit

    „Wir müssen die Rahmenbedingungen verbessern“ – Sascha Seifert über Bundesliga, Nachwuchs und Sichtbarkeit
    Dec 20 2025
    Im zweiten Teil des Gesprächs mit Sascha Seifert, Wasserball-Nationalspieler und Bundesligaspieler beim ASC Duisburg, geht es um die strukturellen Herausforderungen und Zukunftsfragen des deutschen Wasserballs. Im Fokus stehen die aktuelle Liga-Reform, das Leistungsgefälle in der Wasserball Bundesliga sowie die schwierige Verbindung von Leistungssport, Studium und finanzieller Realität. Ausführlich diskutieren wir die neue Bundesliga-Struktur mit verkleinertem Spielfeld, reduzierten Kadern und der Regelung, mindestens sieben deutsche oder in Deutschland ausgebildete Spieler einzusetzen. Sascha sieht darin grundsätzlich einen richtigen Ansatz, benennt aber auch klare Risiken: „Die Regel fördert deutsche Spieler – kann aber im Großen und Ganzen die Liga schwächer machen, weil sich die Nationalspieler auf wenige Vereine konzentrieren.“ Ein zentrales Thema der Folge ist das große Leistungs- und Finanzgefälle innerhalb der Bundesliga. Während es nur wenige Standorte gibt, an denen Wasserball halbwegs professionell betrieben werden kann, kämpfen viele Vereine mit begrenzten Ressourcen. Sascha beschreibt offen, dass Wasserball in Deutschland für die meisten Athleten kein Beruf, sondern eher ein Nebenjob bleibt. Besonders kritisch beleuchtet er den Übergang vom Nachwuchs- in den Herrenbereich. Viele Talente beenden ihre Karriere nach der U18-Bundesliga – nicht aus mangelnder Motivation, sondern wegen fehlender Perspektiven und Unterstützung: „Diese Schwelle von der U18 in den Herrenbereich ist extrem groß – und genau dort verlieren wir sehr viele Spieler.“ Statt ausschließlich auf frühe Leistungsspitzen zu setzen, plädiert Sascha für mehr Quantität im Nachwuchs, bessere Fördermodelle und eine breitere gesellschaftliche Anerkennung des Sports. Auch die Rolle von Social Media, Events und medialer Sichtbarkeit wird thematisiert – als Schlüssel, um Wasserball langfristig attraktiver und präsenter zu machen. Abschließend sprechen wir über positive Entwicklungen wie internationale Events, die Universiade in Duisburg, neue Medienformate der Vereine und innovative Ideen wie Beach-Wasserball. Trotz aller Herausforderungen überwiegt der vorsichtige Optimismus: „Wasserball ist keine unattraktive Sportart – man sieht ihn nur viel zu selten.“ 🎧 Teil 2 liefert ehrliche Einblicke in die Realität der Wasserball Bundesliga und zeigt, an welchen Stellschrauben gedreht werden muss, damit sich der Sport in Deutschland nachhaltig entwickeln kann.
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    36 mins
  • „Ich bin superglücklich, dass ich diesen Weg gegangen bin“ – Sascha Seifert (Teil 1)

    „Ich bin superglücklich, dass ich diesen Weg gegangen bin“ – Sascha Seifert (Teil 1)
    Dec 13 2025
    In dieser Folge meines Wasserball Podcasts spreche ich mit Sascha Seifert, Wasserball-Nationalspieler und Bundesligaspieler beim ASC Duisburg. Gemeinsam sprechen wir darüber, wie der Weg in den deutschen Leistungssport wirklich aussieht – zwischen Wasserball Bundesliga, Studium, Nationalmannschaft und internationalem Wettbewerb im Eurocup. Sascha erzählt, wie er vom Schwimmen zum Wasserball kam, warum er früh an die Elite-Schule des Sports in Potsdam wechselte und wie diese Zeit seine Karriere entscheidend geprägt hat. Über seine Entscheidung für den Leistungssport sagt er selbst: „Im Nachhinein hat sich das auf jeden Fall gelohnt – und ich bin superglücklich, dass ich diesen Weg gegangen bin.“ Wir sprechen außerdem über seinen Wechsel in die Wasserball Bundesliga nach Duisburg, über Vereinsstrukturen, Ehrenamt, finanzielle Realität im deutschen Wasserball und darüber, wie herausfordernd es ist, Sport, Studium und Privatleben miteinander zu verbinden. Auch die aktuelle Entwicklung des ASC Duisburg, internationale Spiele im Eurocup sowie die Rolle deutscher Nationalspieler in den Top-Teams sind Thema. Sascha bringt es treffend auf den Punkt: „Ich glaube, wir sind jetzt an einem Punkt angekommen, an dem wir wirklich eine richtig gute Mannschaft geworden sind.“ Die wichtigsten Aussagen & Erkenntnisse aus der Folge Der Weg in den Wasserball-Leistungssport in Deutschland beginnt oft sehr früh und verlangt viel Verzicht. Eine Sportschule kann ein echter Karriereschlüssel sein, wenn Training und Schule optimal verzahnt sind. Vereinswechsel sind nicht nur sportlich, sondern auch persönlich große Umbrüche. Und vor allem wird klar: Erfolg in der Wasserball Bundesliga entsteht nicht durch große Namen – sondern durch Konstanz, Vertrauen, Teamgeist und professionelle Strukturen. 🎧 Wenn du wissen willst, wie sich Leistungssport im deutschen Wasserball wirklich anfühlt – mit allen Höhen, Zweifeln und Entwicklungsschritten – dann hör jetzt unbedingt in diese Folge rein. Wenn dir der Podcast gefällt, freue ich mich riesig über ein Abo, eine Bewertung und wenn du die Folge mit anderen teilst, die sich für Wasserball, Bundesliga oder Nachwuchsförderung interessieren. Danke für deinen Support! 💙🤽‍♂️
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    31 mins
  • "You can’t sprint every day" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 2)

    "You can’t sprint every day" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 2)
    Dec 6 2025
    In Part 2 of this episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I continue the deep performance conversation with Brian Xicotencatl, founder of WaterPolo Strong, with a strong focus on training structure, sprint physiology, recovery monitoring, and data-driven coaching. We discuss why it is physiologically impossible to sprint every day, how different energy systems work in water polo, and why proper recovery windows are non-negotiable for long-term performance. Brian explains how to structure training weeks using low days, stimulation days, and true sprint days, and why this approach protects both performance and athlete health. A central topic of this episode is heart rate variability (HRV) and how wearable technology can help coaches objectively assess nervous system stress and recovery. We talk about how HRV data can be used to adjust training loads, prevent overtraining, and make smarter coaching decisions based on real physiological feedback instead of guesswork. We also dive into long-term athlete development, the role of puberty in sprint capacity, and why children must not be trained like adults. Brian breaks down the three key pillars of success for modern water polo coaches: long-term development planning, understanding metabolic systems, and consistent self-care. Finally, Brian explains his collaboration with 6-8 Sports, how movement quality, power output, and game performance can be measured together, and why mobility problems are always performance problems. 🎧 Part 2 is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podigee, and all major platforms.
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    23 mins
  • "You can’t out-train poor recovery" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 1)

    "You can’t out-train poor recovery" - Brian Xicotencatl (Ep. 1)
    Nov 29 2025
    In Part 1 of this episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I speak with Brian Xicotencatl, founder of WaterPolo Strong, strength & conditioning coach, and sports science researcher specializing in water polo performance and injury prevention. Brian shares how his own playing career — marked by a long list of serious injuries — completely changed his understanding of training, recovery, and self-care. He explains why many water polo players are still underserved by outdated training methods, and why the sport is, in his words, still “where soccer was in the 1800s” when it comes to applied sports science. A major focus of this first part is self-care and preparation. We talk in detail about: - Why foam rolling, stretching, and hydration are not optional add-ons but essential performance tools - How mobility directly affects power output, shooting ability, and verticality - Why many athletes unknowingly limit themselves through poor movement habits - The importance of proper warm-up and cool-down routines before and after training How recovery only truly begins when the body shifts from fight-or-flight into parasympathetic mode Brian also explains why water polo players must start seeing themselves as high-level athletes, not just as players who train in the pool. He highlights how neglecting foundational physical work leads to avoidable injuries and long-term performance limitations. The conversation further touches on hydration and in-game fueling, why athletes lose far more fluids and carbohydrates than they realize, and how modern sports nutrition is starting to influence elite water polo performance. In the second half of this episode, Brian introduces the concept behind WaterPolo Strong: why he created a dedicated strength & conditioning platform for water polo, why youth development (ages 12–18) is the key window for building real athletic foundations, and why basic movement quality must always come before heavy lifting or high-intensity conditioning. This first episode sets the foundation for a deep, science-based look at how water polo athletes should be developed — physically, structurally, and sustainably. 🎧 Episode 1 is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
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    22 mins
  • “Women’s Water Polo: The Gap We Can’t Ignore” - Izabella Chiappini (Ep. 2)

    “Women’s Water Polo: The Gap We Can’t Ignore” - Izabella Chiappini (Ep. 2)
    Nov 22 2025
    In this new episode of WET – Waterpolo Expert Talk, I continue my conversation with a player from the Italian Serie A to take a closer look at the current challenges and opportunities in women’s water polo. Following the first part of our discussion, where we explored her personal journey and the overall state of the sport, this second part focuses on visibility, media exposure, and the structural gap between the women’s and men’s game. A central theme of this episode is the lack of live streaming and media coverage, which makes it difficult for young athletes to discover the sport and identify with female role models. We also discuss how the quality of production, investment levels, and prize money differ significantly between men’s and women’s competitions — and how even small improvements could dramatically accelerate the growth of women’s water polo. Key Points of This Episode: - The media and visibility gap between women’s and men’s water polo - Why reliable streaming, highlights, and live coverage are essential for the sport’s future - The competitive development of the Italian women’s league and its rising level - The impact of investment, prize money, and promotional resources - How the absence of coverage affects youth development and role models - A personal perspective on injury recovery, resilience, and elite-level motivation - Why the goal is not full equality — but closing the unnecessary performance and visibility gap - What the sport offers beyond medals: experiences, opportunities, and global community We also talk about her recovery after shoulder surgery, the increasing competitiveness of the Italian league, and the broader values that help athletes stay committed through both success and setbacks. This episode provides a clear, honest look at the structural challenges facing women’s water polo today — and why improving visibility is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term growth. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.
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    23 mins