HaBaWaBa

HaBaWaBa Spain PLUS: La Jolla triumphs, kids in love with Perrone!

The Californian team won the U14 competition in Lloret de Mar, the waterpolo star jumped in the pool to play with the little athletes

This time the winners of HaBaWaBa Spain PLUS - the event belonging to the galaxy of the HaBaWaBa International Circuit which ended last Sunday in Lloret de Mar - come from afar. Californian La Jolla United, which was already among the participants in HaBaWaBa International Festival PLUS last June in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy), climbed to the top step of the podium of the 3rd edition of the event in Costa Brava. The American team ranked 1st by beating Catalan Rubì 9-5 in the final game, while the bronze medal went to Matarò, who won the final for 3rd place over Basque Askartza (15-14). La Jolla gained an historic victory: no American team had ever won a HaBaWaBa event outside the borders of the United States before.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da HaBaWaBa Spain (@habawabaspain)

The teams were awarded by Olympic champion Laura Ester, while another international waterpolo ace was the protagonist of one of the most exciting and fun moments of HaBaWaBa Spain PLUS 2025: after being cheered by the kids and the spectators at the Lloret pool, captain of Spain national team and star of Barceloneta Felipe Perrone dived into the water for an exhibition game, sparking the enthusiasm of the young waterpolo players. Waterpolo Development congratulates BIWPA - partner who is in charge for HaBaWaBa events in Spain - for the success of the event, which was participated by 350 kids and 21 teams coming from 6 different countries. The next appointment with the HaBaWaBa International Circuit is at Easter: from April 12nd to 15th, the town of Tarragona will host the 7th edition of HaBaWaBa Spain, an event reserved for mixed teams composed of U10 and U12 players. In the meantime, registrations are still open for the two main HaBaWaBa events of the year, scheduled in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the HaBaWaBa International Festival (for mixed U9 and U11 teams plus over-age players), scheduled from June 15th to 22nd, and the HaBaWaBa International Festival PLUS, reserved for U13 boys and girls teams, which will be held from June 22nd to 29th. Visit HaBaWaBa Spain PLUS official social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to watch more photos and videos.

***

  Click here for further infos about HaBaWaBa    

Common questions

What is the HaBaWaBa International Festival?

The biggest youth water polo event in the world: for U9, U11 and U13, held every year in Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) and drawing teams from five continents.

When is the next Festival?

From 13 to 20 June the week for U9 and U11, from 20 to 27 June the week for U13.

Do boys and girls play together?

U9 and U11 tournaments include girls’, boys’ and mixed teams. The U13 event is split into a girls-only tournament and one for boys-only or mixed teams.

How do you enter the Festival?

Open the page of the event for your team (U9-U11 or U13) and follow the Registration Guide: it contains the information, duties, costs and deadlines. A club can enter more than one team in a single tournament.

Where do teams stay during the Festival?

Teams, made up of players, coaches and officials, all stay inside Bella Italia & EFA Village. Parents, family and supporters travelling with the team can enter the village by paying admission.

What is the Champion’s Passport?

It is a code of ethics: the values of sport to respect in order to be part of the HaBaWaBa community.

What is the aim of the HaBaWaBa project?

To spread the values of sport among children and create a deep bond with water polo through an unforgettable experience.

All questions

Register for the festival.

Register
HaBaWaBa mascot