Montenegro, Spain, Croatia, and Team USA qualified for the semifinals at the World U18 Championships in Rio Maior. These four sides were in the top two places in their groups in Division 1 and had two days off before the quarterfinals.
Both finalists from the 2024 World U18 Championships were eliminated: the outgoing champion, Hungary, and Serbia. The only nation to reach the podium in Buenos Aires and advance to the semifinals in Rio Maior is Montenegro.
Montenegro will meet Team USA in the semifinals; Spain and Croatia will face off in the other semifinal.
Montenegro, the winner of a very demanding Group A in Division 1, beat Greece, which dominated Division 2 and the crossover round. The Montenegrins earned a 5:1 lead early in the second quarter. Greece cut its deficit to one goal twice (6:7 and 7:8), but Montenegro responded and won 10:8. Vranes and Roganovic netted three goals each for Montenegro.
Spain, the top-placed team in Group B, continued its winning streak by defeating Serbia 16:10. The Spaniards’ strong start and an 8:1 lead (13th minute) set the tone of the match. Spain’s captain Mauro Milan was unstoppable, scoring five goals.
Croatia and the USA reached the semifinals after big quarterfinal battles.
The Croats edged out Italy 12:11. It was a game with many twists and turns. Early in the fourth quarter, Italy led 10:9. Croatia went ahead midway through the quarter (11:10). The Italians leveled at 11:11, and Burazin scored the winning goal for Croatia with 42 seconds to go. Burazin and Dragas were the top scorers with three goals each.
The score of the encounter between USA and Hungary was the same. The Americans recorded a 12:11 win, even though the start of the match suggested the Europeans would qualify for the semis. Hungary led 4:1 after the first quarter and opened the second period with a goal to make it 5:1. But the Americans produced a great comeback. They went on an 8:0 run, building a 9:5 lead deep into the third period. Hungary was without a goal for more than 15 minutes. In the dying minutes, Hungary reduced the gap to one twice (10:11 and 11:12), but couldn’t equalize. Kaneko scored five goals for Team USA.
2026 World U18 Championships, Day 6
Quarterfinals
Montenegro – Greece 10:8 (4:1, 2:3, 2:3, 2:1)
Spain – Serbia 16:10 (5:1, 4:3, 5:3, 2:3)
Croatia – Italy 12:11 (2:2, 3:2, 3:5, 4:2)
USA – Hungary 12:11 (1:4, 4:1, 4:1, 3:5)
9th-12th place classification, round 3
Group G: Singapore – Argentina 18:7, Australia – Hong Kong 39:2. Standings: 1. Australia 9, 2. Singapore 6, 3. Argentina 3, 4. Hong Kong 0.
Group H: South Africa – Brazil 15:26, Colombia – Portugal. Standings: 1. Brazil 9, 2. Colombia 3 (2 games), 3. South Africa 3, 4. Portugal 0 (2 games).
Articles about World men’s junior and youth championships
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