The competition schedule for the LEN European Nations Trophy to be held in Manchester in July has been announced.

Manchester Aquatic Centre (MAC) will play host to 12 of Europe’s leading water polo nations as they battle it out for a European title from 8-15 July.

Great Britain will be in action on the first day against Israel at 7pm. Kicking off the competition will see Malta take on Belgium, with both teams wanting to get off to a winning start.

Tournament favourite’s Montenegro play the final match on day one when they take on Turkey.

Great Britain are drawn against France, Poland, Ukraine, Israel and Ireland in Group B, whilst Montenegro are in Group A with Belarus, Turkey, Malta, Belgium and Macedonia.

Eight days of competition consist of a preliminary round, quarter finals, semi finals and the final. Each team will play one match per day with the winner being declared on the final day of competition.

The tournament was awarded to the UK in 2005, and plays a vital role in water polo’s development now that additional funding has been given to the sport following the awarding of the 2012 Olympics to London.

The LEN European Nations Trophy is critical in the development of the British men's team for London 2012 and provides an opportunity to give British officials and volunteers the chance to experience international competition as the nation prepares to host the Olympics in just over five year’s time.

It is the largest international men’s tournament to have ever been held in the UK, and a legacy has been designed to further build on the positive effects brought about by hosting such a prestigious event.

Manchester Aquatic Centre is renowned for hosting successful international events, and both the competition and training will be hosted there.

The 2002 Commonwealth Games venue is Europe’s largest community swimming pools complex, is a regular venue for a number of national events for the national governing body and it now the unofficial home for British Water Polo.

The LEN European Nations Trophy has been part funded by UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme, which aims to secure events of strategic importance that deliver a range of lasting benefits, and Manchester City Council.

A legacy programme has been designed to get more young children involved in the sport through introducing them to mini-polo, encouraging participation.

The programme was put together by a number of organisations and partners. British Swimming, Manchester Water Polo, Serco, regional competition managers and local coaches and swimming coordinators have all contributed to the legacy to help inspire children to get active through water polo, with support from the Manchester Evening News.

To view the competition schedule, please CLICK HERE.

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For more information contact British Swimming Media Assistant Stephanie West on 01509 632236, or e-mail stephanie.west@swimming.org

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

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The LEN European Nations Trophy takes place at the Manchester Aquatics Centre from 8-15 July 2007 and is jointly funded by British Swimming, UK Sport and Manchester City Council.

The LEN European Nations Trophy has been part funded by UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme, which aims to secure events of strategic importance that deliver a range of lasting benefits. These include economic, social and cultural benefits as well as improving sporting performance by home athletes, encouraging participation and leaving a legacy of facilities and development initiatives. Over 120 sporting events have been staged in the UK through the programme since 1997. More at www.uksport.gov.uk

The LEN European Nations Trophy is part of Manchester City Council's event programme. Media enquiries: Helena Davison, Manchester City Council Press Office 0161 234 3729. For the Council's full calendar of 'Events to listen out for…' the public should call Manchester Visitor Information Centre on 0871 222 8223*, visit www.manchesterlive.co.uk or text 'EVENT' to 60600 for FREE events text alerts/offers - direct to their mobile (subscribers can opt in or out at any time and details/Terms & Conditions can be found at www.eventext.com.
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