Israel's Under-16 girls' water polo team dives into its first world championship on Saturday, opening the group phase of the World Aquatics Women's U16 Water Polo Championship against South Africa at Zagreb's Mladost swimming and water polo centre, Sport5 reports.
There is no easing in: the Israelis are back in the water later the same day for a second group match against Hungary, one of the sport's traditional powers, before facing Mexico on Sunday and closing out the preliminary round against the Netherlands on Monday.
The championship runs from July 25-31 in the Croatian capital, a city with a long water polo pedigree that is doubling up this summer - the equivalent boys' U16 event follows at the same Mladost venue in early August. Qualification for the knockout stage will be determined once all group matches are complete.
Head coach Idan Kaftori, who also serves as an assistant with Israel's senior women's national team, described it as a considerable honour to lead the squad at a world championship, according to Sport5.
He was candid about the challenges facing his group too, noting the squad is carrying "a light injury issue" heading into the tournament and that its youth makes competing against more seasoned rivals "a considerable challenge."
Kaftori was clear-eyed about where the value lies at this level. "The primary objective is for the athletes to learn, gain experience, and compete on their sport's biggest stage for their age group," he said.
The squad has put in six weeks of dedicated preparation for the tournament, including a warm-up trip to Greece, as it takes its first real step into senior-style international competition.
