The Dubrovnik Bathing Beaches Championship finale in Porto brings a third-place match, an exhibition game with familiar faces, and a grand final broadcast nationally for the first time.
Today, August 10, 2026, the old city harbor in Dubrovnik becomes the center of a water polo celebration. The final of the Dubrovnik Bathing Beaches Championship, popularly known as the Wild League, takes place in Porto, with a richer program than ever before.
The program kicks off at 4:00 PM with the third-place match between Bellevue and Elita. Following that, an exhibition match will see the City and County team take on the Dubrovnik Summer Festival squad. The grand final between Porporela and FUN is scheduled for 5:45 PM.
Approximately 45 minutes after the final concludes, but no earlier than 7:15 PM, the awards ceremony for the best teams and individuals will be held on the steps of St. Blaise's Church.
All three matches can be followed on HVS TV, the YouTube channel of the Croatian Water Polo Federation. The grand final between Porporela and FUN will also be aired on Sports Television. This marks the first time the Wild League final will be broadcast live on a channel with a national concession.
The bronze medal match presents an interesting contrast. Elita has been champion twice, runner-up three times, and bronze medalist six times, now chasing their 12th medal in the competition's history. On the other hand, Bellevue stands on the brink of winning their first medal ever.
FUN H2O Mlini, popularly known as the "Oranges," plays in the final for the ninth time. So far, they have four wins and four losses, along with one bronze, and by reaching the final, they have already secured their tenth medal. A victory would write history: they would become the first team to win three consecutive titles and the first to claim a total of five championship titles.
Porporela is also in the final for the ninth time, with three wins and five losses. A win would tie them with FUN, Copacabana, and Kupalište ispod kina Slavice at four championship titles. Porporela is already the most decorated team in terms of medals with eight bronzes, and by reaching the final, they have secured their 16th medal.
The referee for the final day is Neno Periš, who also officiated the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. In earlier stages of the competition, refereeing was entrusted to players and coaches with trophies: Elvis Fatović, Nikša Dobud, Paulo Obradović, Maro Joković, Ivo Begović, and Vjeko Kobešćak.
In the exhibition match, the City and County team will be led by County Prefect Blaž Pezo and President of the Dubrovnik City Council Marko Potrebica. On the other side, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival team consists of Maro Martinović, Goran Grgić, Goran Višnjić, and Zrinka Cvitešić. Both teams are expected to be assisted by Miho Bošković, Alen Bošković, Dragan Medan, Paulo Obradović, and Nikša Dobud.
"See you in Porto!" the organizers said.
