13th CMAS Underwater Hockey European Championship

The championship was held from the 16th to the 25tthh of April 2010, although
the beginning of the games had to be delayed as many of the teams got their
flights delayed or cancelled due to the volcanic cloud. The games began on
Monday, 19th of April.

The pool was divided into 2 playing areas with a warm up area in the middle

Eleven countries attended in two different categories:

10 open elite squads: France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium,
Italy, Serbia, Portugal, South Africa and Colombia.

7 Ladies squads: The Netherlands, Great Britain, France, South Africa, Spain,
Czech Republic and Colombia.

After two days of training 07.30 to 22.00, the opening ceremony took place at
the swimming pool at 20.00 on the 19th. The President of FPAS and the
President and Secretary of the commission were present.

The championship matches began on the 19h of April and finished on the 25th.
The games where held every day at 08.00 up to 20.00.

A total of 195 matches were played by the open elite teams in the first phase of
the championship which was a round robin, every team played against all the
other teams. The ladies played 12 matches in their round robin.

 The semi-finals and Finals were held on Saturday making a total of 246
matches played throughout the championship.

There were two different rankings: A ranking for the winner of the open
championship and a different ranking for the champions of the European
championship.

The results were:

For the Open Tournament:

Elite :

1. South Africa
2. France
3. Colombia
4. Spain
5. the Netherlands
6. Great Britain
7. Portugal
8. Italy
9. Belgium
10. Serbia

Ladies:

1. Great Britain
2. Colombia
3. South Africa
4. France
5. the Netherlands
6. Spain
7. Rep. Czech.

For the European Championship:


Open Elite:

1. France
2. Spain
3. the Netherlands

Ladies:

1. Great Britain
2. France
3. the Netherlands.

In open elite there were a very good level, most teams have improved their level
since last championship.
The ladies could be divided into 2 groups : the top 3 teams and the rest of the
teams.

During the championship the new President of the CMAS Underwater Hockey
Commission, Mr. Thomas de Trébons arranged two meetings open to all those
attending the championship.

Representatives from all the countries in Oporto and referees from almost all
countries attended the meeting where an updating of the rules was made,
rewriting them to make them clearer.

 The second meeting was informative, trying to inform the countries about
CMAS wolrd games and the next championship for the age group.