Setubal 2025: Portugal all-set to host Europe’s best juniors at European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships
The Portuguese city of Setúbal is once again preparing to welcome the future of European swimming as it hosts the European Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships Setubal 2025 from 19 – 21 June. With its blend of picturesque coastal waters and challenging race conditions, Setúbal has become a favourite on the junior open water circuit, offering a true test of talent, endurance and strategy.
This year’s event will bring together hundreds of athletes from dozens of nations, all vying for continental glory in events ranging from 5km and 10km races to mixed-gender relays and knockout sprints. The field is divided into three age categories – J1 (14–15, 5km), J2 (16–17, 7.5km), and J3 (18–19, 10km) – ensuring a wide showcase of up-and-coming talent.
The recently published entry list paints a vivid picture of the scale and depth of the competition. Traditional powerhouses such as Italy, Hungary, Germany, and Poland arrive with full-strength squads packed with talent. Italy’s team, for instance, includes Davide Grossi, Giovanni Lauricella, and Ginevra Bagaglini, who are expected to be in contention across the longer-distance events. Hungary, another perennial open water force, brings depth in both youth and experience with swimmers like Zsombor Szathmáry, Vivien Nett, and Anna Bartalos set to feature prominently.
Germany’s delegation is headlined by experienced juniors such as Simon Reinke, Luisa Rumler, and rising 5km entrant Rosalie Mesmacque, while Poland fields a formidable U16 and U19 team including Matylda Rajca, Bartosz Kapala, and Fabian Janiszewski. Meanwhile, the host nation Portugal will look to impress in front of a home crowd, with promising young talents like Miguel Medeiros, Camila Marcelo, and Francisca Ricardo hoping to deliver standout performances.
Also among the notable entries are athletes from Greece, Israel, Turkey, and Switzerland, who arrive with well-rounded squads, especially in the U16 relay and knockout categories. The variety of experience levels and the range of swimming backgrounds add an exciting international flavour to the championships – an essential aspect of what makes this event such a key fixture on the European Aquatics calendar.
In addition to the competitive events, the championships will also run European Aquatics Academy clinics to support the ongoing development of coaches, technical officials, and team staff. These sessions, delivered alongside the championship schedule, provide valuable learning opportunities and reinforce the organisation’s commitment to raising standards across all levels of the sport.
The action will culminate with the mixed 6km relays across both U16 and U19 categories, which often serves as both a tactical battle and a thrilling spectacle, bringing together male and female athletes in a test of team cohesion and pacing. For many competitors, this will be their first taste of an international championships. For others, it may be the next step on a journey toward senior European, world, or even Olympic-level success.
Live updates, results, and exclusive content will be available throughout the weekend on europeanaquatics.org and across our social media channels, ensuring fans and supporters can follow the drama as it unfolds. Action can also be watched live on euroaquaticstv.com. The action begins with the Boys and Girls J3 10km at 10am local time (WEST).
Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics
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