Water-polo · United Kingdom

Build your dream water polo team 🤽

Place your 7 players in the pool, draw your plays, export a clean image or animated GIF and share your team in one click. National stars, world legends or your club mates — from the red-capped goalkeeper to the centre-forward.

2 modes
Formation + Tactics
7players
In the water · +6 on the bench
40+
Nations available
100% free
No sign-up

Choose your game mode

Formation mode is the most popular · ideal for a great image
T

Tactics Mode

The water polo tactics board. Place swimmers and opponents, draw passes, swims, shots and zones, then animate your play step by step.

  • 7 drawing tools + 7 colours
  • Step rail to break down a play
  • Frozen PNG or animated GIF export
  • Read-only resume link
Open the tactics board

Everything about your dream seven

Generator
From the starting whistle to the coach's chair.
7

Build your ideal United Kingdom seven in seconds

The United Kingdom has a proud water polo heritage, having won the Olympic gold medal four times in the early 20th century. The British Water Polo League remains the top domestic competition, governed by Swim England (formerly ASA). Build your own squad, pick your water polo caps, and lead your team to glory in the birthplace of modern water polo.

Team architecture

How is a water polo team built?

A team fields 7 players in the water (one goalkeeper, six field players) plus 6 substitutes — 13 on the sheet. The six field players form an "umbrella" around the opposing goal.

The goalkeeper · red cap
The only one allowed to touch the ball with both hands in their zone. Spring, shot-reading and the counter-attack outlet.
The wings · left & right
The finishers in the angles, near the goal line. Cross shots, lobs and finishing the counters.
The point · playmaker
The conductor at the top of the umbrella. Vision, the last pass, organising the man-up — the pool's quarterback.
The drivers · outside shooters
The big arms. Long-range shots out of the water and one-on-ones.
The centre · centre-forward
The warrior with their back to the goal, in the heart of the contact. Draws exclusions and penalties.
The bench · 6 substitutes
Unlimited changes during play without stopping the clock. Centre-marking specialist and backup goalkeeper.
Glossary

Talk water polo like at the poolside.

Goal
Send the ball into the opposing cage (3 m wide, 0.90 m high). Worth 1 point.
Quarter
A match is four 8-minute quarters of effective play, the clock stopped at every whistle.
Exclusion · 20 seconds
A major foul sends the player out for 20 s; the team attacks 6-on-5.
Penalty · 5-metre shot
A direct shot at the keeper from the 5 m line, on a foul preventing a near-certain goal.
The centre · hole set
The pivot position, back to the goal, on the 2 m line. All set play goes through it.
Eggbeater
The alternating leg kick that keeps a player high out of the water — the technical base of the sport.
Caps · white, dark, red
One team in white caps, the other in dark, goalkeepers in red (n°1 and 13).
Five eras · five iconic teams

Replay the generations that shaped the pool.

Each era has its figures and dynasties. Rebuild each team identically — or change a single name.

1900–24
Pioneers & the first golds
Water polo at the Games from 1900; Britain and France among the early champions (France gold, Paris 1924).
GBRFrance 1924Belgium
1932–76
The Hungarian dynasty
Hungary, the most decorated nation. Gyarmati, triple gold. Melbourne 1956 and "Blood in the Water".
GyarmatiFaragóKárpáti
1980–2004
Estiarte & the Settebello
Estiarte across six Games. Italy gold in Barcelona 1992. Yugoslavia rules Europe.
EstiarteTempestiSandić
2008–16
Croatia & the rise of Serbia
Croatia Olympic champion in London 2012; Serbia settles at the very top (Rio 2016 gold).
FilipovićSuknoPavić
2020–26
The Serbian dynasty
Serbia triple Olympic gold (Tokyo, Paris). Spain 2025 world champion in Singapore.
MandićJakšićCrousillat
Water polo is playing chess while boxing — and swimming. Below the surface no one sees the work; above it, everything must look easy.
Ratko Rudićthe most decorated coach in water polo — Olympic champion with Yugoslavia, Italy and Croatia
Water polo world tour

The great water polo nations

Water polo is dominated by Europe and a Mediterranean and Balkan core: Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Montenegro and Greece, plus the USA, Australia and the Netherlands. Build the seven of every nation.

Hungary
Magyars
ManherczVámos
Serbia
Delfini
MandićJakšić
Croatia
Barakude
FatovićBijač
Italy
Settebello
Di FulvioDel Lungo
Spain
La Selección
PerroneMunárriz
Montenegro
Brave Falcons
IvovićLazović
Greece
Ethniki
FountoulisVlachopoulos
United States
Team USA
SteffensWeinberg
Australia
Sharks · Stingers
WilliamsYounger
Netherlands
Oranje
v.d. Slootv.d. Kraats
Japan
Poseidon Japan
AraiInaba
France
Les Bleus
CrousillatVernoux
World Champs 2027 · J–368

Get ready for Budapest 2027

The 2027 World Aquatics Championships take place in Budapest from 26 June to 18 July 2027 at the MVM Dome — a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Compose your 2027 seven today: the current squad, a younger selection, or your own mix of world stars. Exportable as an image or a tactical GIF.

368
Days
02
Hours
41
Min
40
Sec
Share

Your seven in one image and one link

Every team gets a unique link and an HD image. Formation mode outputs a PNG, Tactics mode an animated GIF. Post it, get your mates' line-ups, start the debate.

Frequently asked questions

We answer the classics

How do I create my water polo team online?
Use our tool to build your water polo squad, assign positions and water polo caps, and simulate a full British Water Polo League season in just a few clicks.
What is the history of water polo in the UK?
Water polo originated in Britain in the late 19th century, with the first rules codified in Scotland. Great Britain won Olympic gold in 1900, 1908, 1912 and 1920, making it one of the most successful early nations in the sport.
Which are the best water polo clubs in the UK?
Clubs like Cheltenham, Manchester and Polytechnic have historically been among the strongest in the British Water Polo League. London-based clubs also have a strong tradition in the sport.
How is water polo governed in the UK?
Swim England (formerly the Amateur Swimming Association, ASA) oversees water polo in England. Scotland, Wales and Ireland have their own governing bodies. The British Water Polo League is the premier national competition.
How do I start playing water polo in the UK?
Find a local club through Swim England’s club finder. Most clubs welcome beginners and offer taster sessions. You’ll need to be a confident swimmer, and clubs typically provide water polo caps and balls for training.