All eight teams that participated in Sub-division 1 of the European U20 Championships in Varna will compete in the quarterfinals.
Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, and Germany secured their spots in the Top 8 by winning today’s crossover games.
Hungary and Croatia won their matches comfortably.
Montenegro had to work hard to defeat Malta (17:15) and avoid a surprise. Germany narrowly defeated the Netherlands (16:15) to join the “European Big Seven” in the quarterfinals.
Italy, Spain, Serbia, and Greece advanced to the Top 8 round yesterday after the group stage.
Quarterfinals (August 14): Italy – Germany, Greece – Montenegro, Spain- Hungary, Serbia – Croatia.
Semifinals (August 15): Italy/Germany – Serbia/Croatia, Greece/Montenegro – Spain/Hungary
Montenegro struggled to break Malta’s resistance. In the middle of the second period, Montenegro built a 3-goal lead, and it looked like the favorite was on the right track. But, step-by-step, the Maltese were coming back and leveled at 9:9 just 47 seconds before halftime. Malta’s captain Jayden Cutajar gave his team a 11:10 lead in the 21st minute. Gojkovic replied immediately, but Malta’s Elijah Schembri closed the third period with two goals – 13:11.
Photo: European Aquatics
After two minutes of the final quarter, Malta was still two steps ahead – 14:12. The Montenegrins than scored four goals in a row, building a 16:14 lead with 01:22 minutes to go. Malta came close (15:16) with 47 seconds left on the clock. Tim Perov sealed the win for Montenegro in the next possesion – 17:15. The top scorers were Moracanin (Montenegro) and Cutajar (Malta). Each found the net four times.
Germany didn’t collect a single point in Sub-division 1, and the Netherlands dominantly won 1st place in Group C of Sub-division 2. Germany earned a hard-fought 16:15 victory. The Dutch earned a 2-goal lead in the first eight minutes (5:3) and maintained that advantage until the middle of the third quarter.
The Netherlands led 11:9 in the 20th minute. Germany then made a huge comeback, scoring four goals in a row and heading into the fourth period with a 13:11 lead. The Dutch leveled at 13:13 and 14:14 in the fourth period, but midway through the quarter, Germany netted two back-to-back goals within 46 seconds – 16:14. Shortly after, the Netherlands reduced the gap to one, but it was the last goal of the game.
The best scorers were Germany’s Oskar Halb, with five goals, and Imme van der Schaaf, who scored four for the Netherlands.
Hungary beat Turkiye 21:10 with five goals from Mor Benedek, and Botond Balogh added four.
Croatia also scored 21 goals, but conceded two fewer than Hungary in beating France 21:8. Susic and Burburan contributed four goals each to the win.
Photo: European Aquatics
Romania and Bulgaria achieved wins in crucial matches in the 13th – 16th place classification. Romania beat Slovenia 17:10, and Bulgaria defeated Czechia 14:13. The Romanians and the hosts qualified for the 13th-place match, and, more importantly, secured their spots in the Elite Division for the next edition of the Championships. Slovenia and the Czech Republic are relegated and will be replaced by the top two teams from Division 1.
2026 European U20 Championships, Elite Division, Varna, Day 4
Crossover round
Hungary – Turkiye 21:10 (7:3, 6:4, 2:1, 6:2)
Croatia – France 21:8 (6:1, 5:2, 5:3, 5:2)
Germany – Netherlands 16:15 (3:5, 4:4, 6:2, 3:4)
Montenegro – Malta 17:15 (6:4, 3:5, 2:4, 6:2)
Classification 13th-16th place, semifinals
Romania – Slovenia 17:10 (3:2, 3:3, 3:2, 8:3)
Czech Republic – Bulgaria 13:14 (3:6, 4:1, 2:4, 4:3)
Division 1
The Division 1 tournament has been held in Oeiras (Portugal). After four rounds of the group phase, three teams have qualified for the semifinals: Neutral Athletes B (Russia), Israel and Belgium. The fourth semifinalist will be the winner of tomorrow’s game Georgia – Poland in Group B.
Standings after four rounds
Group A: 1. Israel 11, 2. Belgium 10, 3. Ukraine 6, 4. Neutral Athletes A (Belarus) 3, 5. Great Britain 3, 6. Switzerland 3.
Group B: 1. Neutral Athletes B (Russia)12, 2. Georrgia 9, 3. Poland 9, 4. Portugal 3, 5. Lithuania 3, 6. Finland 0.
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