WIRRAL'S Olympic hopeful Lucy Shaw faces her stiffest test yet when she competes for Team GB in the European Games this week.

The 16-year-old water polo player, from Wallasey, will lead the Great Britain attack in the tournament at Baku in Azerbaijan.

Viewed as the biggest water polo tournament outside the Olympics, the Baku Games will see Team GB play against some of the best players in the world.

They kick off the tournament on Friday, June 12 against Greece before taking on Germany, Holland, Israel and Hungary.

Lucy, who is currently in Year 11 at West Kirby Grammar School, flew out to the GB training camp in Azerbaijan on Sunday after completing her final GSCE exam.

She’s been juggling school studies with a strenuous training programme that’s seen her catch the eye of GB selectors. She’s tipped to be one of the GB Olympic squad for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

Lucy, who trains with Birkenhead Water Polo Club and the City of Liverpool Water Polo Club, said: “Now my exams are over I’m really looking forward to the Games. We did brilliantly well to qualify and the team are all excited to play against some of the top teams in the world."

Proud mum Lisa added: “Lucy’s been training really hard from the age of 11. She’s worked really hard and is passionate about the sport.”