AWL – Alpine Water Polo League Enters Its Third Season
The Alpine Water Polo League (AWL) kicks off its third season this Saturday. In the first two seasons, the AVK Triglav Kranj water polo team claimed the top spot on the podium. This year, national team goalkeeper Jure Beton, who was a key player for Triglav, has transferred to Slovan. Austria’s WBV Graz is also returning to the competition. The league is particularly excited to welcome new teams: VK Jadran Kostrena, VK Delfin Rovinj, and VK Siscia from Croatia, as well as the newcomer VK Torpedo Sarajevo from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The league enters its third season stronger than ever. The first challenge will take place this Saturday, with the current AWL champions hosting the opening match. You are invited to watch the action.
Davor Čobanov, President of VK Siscia:
“This season marks the debut of Siscia Water Polo Club in the international Alpine Water Polo League (AWL). Our team brings a promising blend of youthful talent and seasoned experience, making us competitive from the start—right from the opening tournament in Kranj and our first match against Calcit Water Polo. With preparations complete and the league’s organization showing great professionalism, we look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!”
Toni Šimić, VK Siscia player:
“This year, we are competing in both the AWL and the Croatian 1.B League. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to play in the AWL, as it will surely provide excellent preparatory matches for the 1.B League. The teams are well-matched, and we’re looking forward to competitive games with clubs from Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, and Croatia. I’m excited about the upcoming season, and we hope to perform as well as possible in the AWL.”
Nikola Miljak, VK Siscia player:
“The AWL, as a multi-club, multi-country league, will be valuable in showing us where we stand compared to neighboring clubs. I’m very much looking forward to playing in the AWL, and our goal is to perform as well as possible. We’re ready for the challenges and matches that await us this season.”
Maroje Ursić, VK Siscia player:
“In addition to the Croatian 1.B League, we’ve also been invited to the AWL this year. We expect quality matches, and I believe all the teams are at a very strong level. We’re prepared for the upcoming season, and with the agreement in place, we’re aiming to do our best in the AWL.”
Jure Škof, Coach of VK Ljubljana Slovan:
“The Alpine Water Polo League is a well-thought-out project that benefits all Slovenian clubs. However, there have been some changes this year that I’m not entirely pleased with. As I’ve mentioned in other interviews, the league was designed to support Slovenian and foreign clubs alike, aiming to raise the overall quality of water polo. Unfortunately, it seems to be moving in a different direction, and I’m unsure why.
I hope the league will be successfully executed and, in the future, align more closely with its original purpose. Regardless, it remains a valuable league for Slovenian clubs and for the growth of water polo.”
Krištof Štromajer, Coach of AVK Triglav Kranj:
“I am glad that the competitions have finally started in Slovenian water polo. On our behalf, a big thank you to the organizers of the AWL league for getting the competitions underway. As for the Slovenian championship, we are one of the last federations to begin the new season. From a sporting perspective, we have a large pool of players who will be competing, with a particular focus on younger players, ensuring that everyone who has been assigned to a senior team will have the opportunity to play.
Last season, we competed with only ten players, so I am happy that this season the squad is wider. Like every season, our goal is to finish in the top spots. We will see where we stand after a few games.”
Gašper Šenica, Coach of Calcit Water Polo:
Finally, we’ve seen the start of the league—long overdue, but welcome nonetheless. The AWL is a highly suitable development league for us, especially considering that our team is composed of very young players who are gaining valuable experience. Personally, this league means a lot to me. The teams are getting stronger every year, and the matches are becoming increasingly challenging.
We need to understand that our team might not be competing for the top spots, but it’s a great opportunity for our younger players to build resilience. Some of them will be playing at the senior level for the first time. However, we are not backing down; I believe that every player will give their best effort, and we can play solid, competitive games.
This Year’s League Participants:
ASV Wien (AUT)
WBV Graz (AUT)
VK Torpedo Sarajevo (BIH)
VK Opatija LRH (CRO)
HAVK Mladost (CRO)
VK Jadran Kostrena (CRO)
VK Delfin Rovinj (CRO)
VK Siscia (CRO)
Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)
AVK Triglav Kranj (SLO)
VK Ljubljana Slovan (SLO)
Calcit Water Polo (SLO)
Media Links:
Live Stream
Live Results
Article written by Aleksander Sokler, AWL
Photo Aleksander Sokler
