Spain, Team USA and Montenegro have all two wins after two days in Division 1 of the World U18 Men’s Championships in Rio Maior.
The Spaniards and the Americans have already qualified for the quarterfinals.
The most exciting match of the day was an encounter between the neighbors, Montenegro and Serbia. in Group A. The game offered plenty of turns, and more than two goals never separated the rivals. Montenegro recorded a 14:13 win and climbed atop Group A.
In the other match of the day in this group, Croatia defeated Hungary 12:9. The Croats led throughout the game. The Hungarians leveled the score only twice (3:3 and 4:4). Still, after the second equalizer, the Croats took control, collected their first points of the tournament, and kept a realistic chance of finishing among the top two teams in the group and qualifying for the quarterfinals without playing the crossover round.
Montenegro will meet Hungary, and Croatia will face Serbia on Monday.
Spain and the USA are already in the quarterfinals. Both teams convincingly defeated their rivals in the 2nd round of Group B. Spain demolished China 20:4, and Team USA downed Italy 17:10.
The Spaniards and the Americans will battle for 1st place in the third round.
2026 World Men’s U18 Championships, Rio Maior, Day 2
Division 1
Group A
Croatia – Hungary 12:9 (3:1, 3:3, 4:2, 2:3)
Montenegro – Serbia 14:13 (5:4, 4:5, 4:3, 1:1)
Standings: 1. Montenegro 6, 2. Croatia 3, 3. Hungary 3, 4. Serbia 0.
Group B
China – Spain 4:20 (0:5, 0:5, 3:6, 1:4)
USA – Italy 17:10 (2:0, 5:3, 5:3, 5:4)
Standings: 1. USA 6, 2. Spain 6, 3. Italy 0, 4. China 0
Division 2
Group C: Singapore – New Zealand 12:13. Colombia bye
Standings: 1. New Zealand 6 (2 games), 2. Singapore 0 (1), 3. Colombia 0 (1)
Group D: Hong Kong – Brazil 6:19. Turkiye bye
Standings: 1. Turkiye 3 (1), 2. Brazil 3 (2), 3. Hong Kong 0 (1)
Group E: Greece – Australia 23:12. South Africa bye
Standings: 1. Greece 3 (1), 2. Australia 3 (2), 3. South Africa 0 (1)
Group F: Portugal – Canada. Argentina bye.
Standings: 1. Canada 3 (1), 2. Portugal 0 (0), 3. Argentina 0 (1)
Articles about World men’s junior and youth championships
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
