Who made the top 25?
August 14, 2026 by Sean Colfer in Rankings
The World Ultimate Club Championships will be taking place in Limerick, starting on Saturday 15 August. The tournament is in Europe, dozens of European teams are taking part, and thousands of European players will be competing at the event. But who among them is the best?
The last two years since the previous list has seen a new dominant power cement itself in Europe. Mooncatchers had just won silver at EUCF before the last rankings, and have backed that up with two wins in a row. Wall City made their first final last year, while Clapham continue to be a competitor at the top of the division. Tchac had a massively impressive regular season in 2025 but couldn’t convert it into a successful EUCF, while BFD La Fotta continue to be one of the best teams in Europe. They are the only team with a win over a full-strength Mooncatchers this season1. It’s been a period of huge development for some of these players, with many of them leaving the under-24 division and several going over to the US to test themselves against the best in the world.
Two teams tied with five representatives on this list – the EUCF finalists last year, Mooncatchers and Wall City. Eight teams are represented in all. Teams in parentheses are who each player will be playing with at WUCC.
1. Daan De Marrée (Mooncatchers, Belgium) 🟰
At the time of the last list, it had become apparent that De Marrée was the best player in Europe over the previous season. This time, it has become apparent that he is probably the best player in the world. Capable of seemingly anything he decides to set his mind to, becoming a world-class deep cutter after previously being a world-class disc handler and before that a world-class defender, the sky seems to be the limit for the reigning European and US player of the year.
2. Conrad Schlör (Wall City, Germany) ⬆️ 6
Schlör followed up a stellar World Games with an outstanding run at EUCF, helping lead Wall City to their first-ever semi and then first-ever final with wins over perennial powerhouses BFD La Fotta and Clapham, respectively. He has been one of the best defenders in the game for years, but his offensive repertoire has now been honed to the point where he’s able to create mismatches as both a thrower and a cutter, although his ability to win deep is what really sets him apart on that side of the disc.
3. Paul Herkens (Wall City, Germany) NEW
Herkens exploded into another echelon after last season, starting it as an effective defensive piece on Wall City and ending as a World Games star that helped inspire a fairytale EUCF run. Herkens is able to guard the best player on opposing teams and still get help blocks all over the field. His work in the deep space, in particular, is stellar, and his pulls change the outlook of the game for the opposition. His offensive game is good, but if he can match his level of effectiveness on that side of the disc to his defense, there may be even more to come.
4. Elliot Bonnet (Tchac, France) ⬆️ 9
Bonnet is still young but has already solidified a place at the top of the game in Europe. His almost outrageous athleticism is his calling card, easily winning sky balls against even the best defenders, but his throwing is an often-underrated part of his game. When he needs to use his athletic gifts on defense he’s able to generate blocks and snuff out opposing stars, but there’s very little that’s more valuable than a player who can reliably win deep matchups. Bonnet can do just that.
5. Tobe Decraene (Gentle, Belgium) 🟰
Speaking of a player who can reliably win deep, Decraene has become a sensation since he last played regularly in Europe. The reigning UFA MVP has become a much more well-rounded player during his time in the US, and is now almost as effective with the disc as he has always been without. He has two under-24 silvers to go along with his UFA accolades and, given he still has one cycle left at that level, it seems inevitable he’ll add to that cabinet over the course of his career.
6. Arvīds Kārkliņš (Mooncatchers, Belgium) ⬇️ 3
Kārkliņš is able to do almost everything at a high level and has been one of the best players in Europe essentially since he stepped onto a field in his native Latvia. Tall, rangy, and an excellent thrower, he gives Mooncatchers extremely valuable versatility and play-making skills on both sides of the disc. His drop here is more a reflection of the ascension of some of the younger players in Europe than any fall off in his game, which remains elite.
7. Sofiène Bontemps (Mooncatchers, Belgium) ⬆️ 16
The biggest riser in these rankings, Bontemps has solidified himself as a star rather than the complimentary player it seemed he was when this list was last assembled. Offensively, he is incredibly versatile and able to fill in the gaps around his high-usage teammates wonderfully. Also an excellent defender and already vastly experienced in high-stakes situations2, he’ll be on the field for Mooncatchers any time the point matters, whatever the situation.
8. David Barzasi (Mooncatchers, Belgium) ⬇️ 2
Beach world champion3, Barzasi has been the cherry on top of the sundae for Mooncatchers’ O-line. The group was already full of players who could do basically anything, but Barzasi’s ability to create something from seemingly nothing has pushed them on to new heights. Barzasi combines elite deep throwing with extremely difficult to handle cutting skills, and brings the ability to make spectacular plays on defense on the occasion that the O-line does surrender the disc.
9. Ondřej Rýdlo (Wall City, Germany) NEW
Rýdlo has been one of the better handlers in Europe for years, but last year was by far his best season. He led Wall City in assists at EUCF, including a four-assist performance in the semis win over Clapham and a five-assist showing in the close loss against Mooncatchers in the final. He backed that up with an astonishing WBUC performance for Czechia Mixed, leading the team with 58 stats4 including nine of the 12 Czech points as they nabbed bronze medals. His precision deep throwing ability has made him one of the most difficult covers in Europe.
10. Léo Stanguennec (Tchac, France) NEW
Stangeunnec is another of the young players who has made a leap in the last two years. He had an excellent performance at the World Games and is the model of consistency for Tchac. Tall, fast, and able to play as either a finisher or maintain flow, he is a complete cutter. He backs that up with extremely good defensive skills, leaving very few holes in his game at all.
11. Paul Benvegnen (Tchac, France) NEW
The lefty handler had an excellent World Games and was a central player for Tchac last season, and has carried that into this year. His backhand is one of the best in the division and he’s able to keep the offense moving even against the best defenses.
12. Conrad Wilson (Clapham, Great Britain) ⬆️ 8
Wilson is a multiple-threat cutter who has been central to offenses for both Clapham and Great Britain. His size and speed means he can win deep battles and roast slower defenders, and his length and throwing ability means he can take advantage of mismatches and find teammates.
13. Connor McHale (Clapham, Great Britain) ⬇️ 11
McHale continues to be one of the most versatile players in Europe, playing several roles for a number of teams in the last few years. He’s one of the drivers of the Clapham D-line and played as a center handler for the WMUCC-winning Clapham Masters. He is an excellent thrower and fast enough to win as a cutter, and still retains the ability to get layout blocks when tested downfield.
14. Sebastian Rossi (BFD La Fotta, Italy) ⬇️ 4
Rossi took a year away from European competition last year, going to play in the US for DiG. He has returned to Bologna this season and resumed a key role for a BFD La Fotta team that goes into WUCC absolutely flying. He is one of the best athletes in Europe and an extremely creative thrower. Another who’s won a beach world title5, Rossi will be one of the most exciting players in Limerick.
15. Simon Ruelle (Tchac, France) NEW
Ruelle is a very good offensive player with a big backhand huck, but the reason he is on this list is his outstanding defensive ability. He is one of the best match defenders in Europe and consistently wins matchups against the best players in the division. His ability to lock up opposing stars will be crucial if Tchac are to perform well in Ireland.
16. Ben Oort (GRUT, Netherlands) ⬇️ 12
Oort is the biggest drop who stays in the list, which is due to several factors. He has been slowed by injury for the last couple of years, missing EUCF last season and the indoor championships in the Netherlands earlier this season. In that time away from the field, people may have forgotten just how good he is in full flow. An extremely talented thrower who consistently gets open in the reset space, can go deep when the opportunity comes up, and is a very effective defender, Oort is a good bet to be back near the top of this list in future.
17. Nico Müller (Bad Skid, Germany) 🟰
Nico Müller is a metronome. He has been playing at a high level for well over a decade now and continues to be the driving force for Bad Skid. His game understanding, throwing, and ability to control the flow and tempo of an offense remains right at the top of the division even as Bad Skid have struggled to replicate the success they enjoyed before the pandemic. Whatever happens at WUCC, Müller will be beating someone upline, somewhere.
18. Hartley Greenwald (Wall City, Germany) NEW
Greenwald is another who thrived for Germany at the World Games and for Wall City at EUCF. The US-born cutter is central to the Berlin team’s offense with his consistent distribution and ability to get open in the middle of the field.
19. Justin Foord (Clapham, Great Britain) ⬇️ 11
Foord may have slipped down this list but he remains an extremely strong contributor almost two decades into his run with Clapham. A newly minted world champion6, his play for the Bullfrog offense is still good enough to count among the best in Europe.
20. Luca Tognetti (BFD La Fotta, Italy) ⬆️ 5
“Pingu,” as Tognetti is widely known in Europe, has transitioned from a defensive pillar for La Fotta to part of a dynamic, creative O-line this season. He is another with a recent world title7, and seems to be in the form of his life with Bologna coming into WUCC off the back of a stellar season so far.
21. Lander Decraene (Gentle, Belgium) NEW
Like his younger brother, Decraene has gone to the US this season and made quite an impact. He’s usually good for one or two blocks a game, and has a pretty useful habit of finding opportunities for layout blocks when you don’t expect them. He’s a very good offensive player too, but he might be the best defender in the division when he’s on form. Unfortunately, a foot injury will sideline him for WUCC.
22. David Metzger (Wall City, Germany) NEW
Metzger has been a very solid player for Wall City for a long time but made a big step forward last season, playing excellently for Wall and also contributing well to Germany’s run to the semis at the World Games. A handler that can keep the ball moving or create scoring chances depending on what his team needs, he’s another part of the O-line that helped Wall to their best season ever.
23. Toms Ābeltiņš (Mooncatchers, Belgium) NEW
Ābeltiņš is another addition to the list that contributes measurably to the offense – he’s one of the main players that will cross lines for Mooncatchers after a break – but is here primarily because he’s an outstanding defender. His blocks in the final at Elite Invite were crucial in getting Mooncatchers back into the game after an uncharacteristic first half. He will take on big defensive assignments and still be able to drive the bus on the turn.
24. Jelte Derks (GRUT, Netherlands) NEW
Derks has emerged as one of the very best deep cutters in Europe over the last couple of years. Still young, his size and speed combination is extremely tough to stop when you consider he is more than capable of keeping the disc moving if he’s pushed away from the end zone.
25. Riccardo Venturoli (BFD La Fotta, Italy) NEW
Venturoli is another who has been a key part of La Fotta’s defense in the past but is now playing a central role on the offense. He’s tall, incredibly fast, and very explosive, making him a very difficult man to stop when one of his handlers has power position in the throwing lane.
All photos by Oliver Hülshorst for EUF unless otherwise noted.
Tchac beat Mooncatchers at the Bad Skid Open earlier in the summer, but the Belgians were missing some players, including the one at the top of this list. ↩
He was on the JetSet team that won beach world gold, has two silvers at under-24 level, and has been in three EUCF finals in the last three years. ↩
With Ireland’s Margarita Mixed ↩
43 assists and 15 goals. ↩
Also with Margarita Mixed. ↩
He captained Clapham Masters alongside Connor McHale. ↩
Playing for Belgian team JetSet in the open division at WBUCC in 2024 with Sofiene Bontemps and Lander Decraene, amongst others. ↩
