Evangelos Doudesis (Athens, 12 March 1985)[1][2] is a Greek water polo coach and former player,[3] best known as the head coach of the Netherlands women's national water polo team.[4][5]

Early life

Doudesis was born in Athens. He moved to the Netherlands in 2013 to study sport management and played water polo for Polar Bears in Ede.[4][6]

Coaching career

After ending his playing career, Doudesis became head coach of the Polar Bears women's team, leading them to Dutch national titles in 2018 and 2021.[4] In 2017, he joined the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB) as assistant coach of the Netherlands women's national team and head coach of the under-20 squad.[4] During this period, the senior team won the gold medal at the 2018 European Championship.[7]

Doudesis was appointed head coach of the Netherlands women's national team in September 2021,[8] succeeding Arno Havenga.[7] Under his leadership, the Netherlands achieved major international success, including winning the gold medal at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships and the European Championship title in 2024.[9] His contract with the Dutch federation was extended until the 2028 Olympic Games.[9]

Achievements

  • 2018: Gold – Dutch national champion with Polar Bears
  • 2018: Gold – European Championship (as assistant national coach)
  • 2019: Gold – KNZB Cup with Polar Bears
  • 2021: 6th place – Olympic Games (as assistant national coach)
  • 2022: Bronze – World Championship
  • 2022: 4th place – European Championship
  • 2022: 4th place – World League
  • 2023: Silver – World Cup
  • 2023: Gold – World Championship
  • 2024: Gold – European Championship
  • 2024: Bronze – Olympic Games
  • 2026: Gold – European Championship

References

  1. ^ Ελευθερίου, Λευτέρης (2024-01-24). "Ευάγγελος Δουδέσης: Ο Έλληνας "αρχιτέκτονας" που κατέκτησε την κορυφή του κόσμου στο γυναικείο πόλο" (in Greek). Παραπολιτικά. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  2. ^ Παππάς, Κώστας (2026-02-06). "Πόλο, Ευάγγελος Δουδέσης: "Περήφανος για την πορεία της ομάδας μου, η Ελλάδα και η Ολλανδία δείχνουν συνέπεια στο κορυφαίο επίπεδο"" (in Greek). Aquafeed24. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  3. ^ Ντζάνης, Δημήτρης (2026-02-05). "Ο Ευάγγελος Δουδέσης διατήρησε την Ολλανδία στην κορυφή της Ευρώπης" (in Greek). Gazzetta. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  4. ^ "Evangelos Doudesis nieuwe bondscoach waterpolodames". Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB). Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  5. ^ "Doudesis bondscoach waterpolovrouwen: 'Andere landen trokken ook aan hem'". nos.nl. 10 September 2021. Archived 2022-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  6. ^ "Edenaar Evangelos Doudesis blijft bondscoach waterpolosters tot en met Spelen 2028" (in Dutch). EdeStad.nl. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  7. ^ "Assistent Doudesis volgt Havenga op als bondscoach waterpolovrouwen". NU.nl. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  8. ^ Press, TW (2021-09-10). "Evangelos Doudesis appointed as Dutch women's head coach". Total Waterpolo. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  9. ^ "Succescoach Doudesis tot en met Spelen van 2028 bij waterpolosters". NOS. Retrieved 2026-05-04.