Podcaster
Episoden
07.03.2026
16 Minuten
In this episode of the Water Polo Expert Talk, Karl Izzo, President of the Malta Aquatics Federation and Vice Chairman of the European Aquatics Technical Water Polo Committee, shares insights into the next phase of Malta’s water polo development. The conversation focuses on structural reform, professional coaching standards, league restructuring, and the future introduction of the new Water Polo 4x4 discipline under World Aquatics. Key Topics • Professional coaching certification and European coaching clinics • Raising standards for referees, delegates and officials • League reform starting 2026/27 with a unified longer season • Strategic foreign player regulations • Governance updates: statutes, ethics and disciplinary codes • Managing rivalry between top Maltese clubs • National team preparation through structural reform • The upcoming Water Polo 4x4 format and its global potential Malta continues to position itself as one of Europe’s most ambitious small nations in aquatic sports — combining international hosting, governance modernization and player development.
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Karl Izzo on Malta’s rise: Hosting europe’s biggest Waterpolo events & building a sustainable future
28.02.2026
16 Minuten
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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21.02.2026
19 Minuten
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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14.02.2026
22 Minuten
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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20.12.2025
36 Minuten
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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Über diesen Podcast
Ich liefere Euch mit meinen nationalen und internationalen
Gesprächspartnern aus der Welt des Wasserballs regelmäßig spannende
Einblicke in die Vereinsentwicklung, Trainingsplanung und
Jugendarbeit. Hierfür stehen mir Trainer, Aktive und Funktionäre in
unseren Gesprächen regelmäßig Rede und Antwort. Natürlich spielt
hierbei auch die allgemeine Entwicklung der Sportart Wasserball,
auf nationaler und internationaler Ebene, eine große Rolle.
Persönliche Meinungen und Einschätzungen meiner Gesprächspartner zu
Fragen wie es mit dem deutschen, aber auch mit dem internationalen
Wasserball in den nächsten Jahren weitergeht, kommen dabei nicht zu
kurz.
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