The highlights of the second day at the Men’s European U17 Championships in Tbilisi were derbies Spain – Croatia and Hungary- Serbia. Juniors from two Balkan powerhouses left the pool empty-handed. Spain defeated Croatia 6: 4, while Hungary demolished Serbia 12:3.

Spain secured the first place in Group D and advanced to the quarterfinals. Besides Spain, Italy (Group A) also qualified for the quarterfinal round. In Group C, Hungary will probably remain atop, while Greece is very close to secure the 1st position in Group B.

2019 men’s European U17 Championships, Day 2

Group A

Russia – Italy 12:16 (0:3, 3:4, 2:3, 7:6)

Russia: Shulev 4, Zhuliabin 3, Kabakov 1, Fedotov 1, Utaliev 1, Miriziev 1, Rachitelev 1.
Italy: Ferrero 4, Gianzza 3, Occhione 3, Caldieri 2, Iocchi Gratta 2, Mladossich 1, SIlvestri 1.

Malta – Turkey 12:8 (5:3, 4:3, 1:2, 2:0)

Malta: Muscat 6, Bonavia 3, Carani 1, Falzon 1, Farrugia 1.
Turkey:Aksoy 2, Ozar 2, Ketenci 1, Kaner 1, Yutmaz 1, Kosova 1.

Italy became the first quarterfinalists of the Championships, by defeating Russia in a flood of goals. The opening minutes were decisive for the outcome, as Italy stunned Russia by a 4:0 lead and maintained a 4-goal gap by halftime (7:3). Italy entered the last period with a 10:5 advantage. Russia managed to reduce the gap to 2 (12:14) two minutes from the end. Italy didn’t let the rival go further and recorded a 16:12 win.

Malta led throughout the match against Turkey. The Maltese built a 4-goal lead in the second quarter (7:3 and 9:5) and after that their win was never in danger.

1 Italy 2 – 6
2 Russia 2 – 3
3 Malta 2 – 3
4 Turkey 2 – 0

Group B

Romania –Greece 1:11 (1:1, 0:4, 0:0, 0:6)

Romania: Gheorghe 1.
Greece: Tsatalios 3, Sgouridis 2, Gkillas 2, Mathiopoulos 1, Kechalaris 1, Kougiounis 1.

Montenegro – Georgia 9:5 (2:2, 2:1, 2:1, 3:1)

Montenegro: Milic 3, Vujovic 2, Mrsic 2, Sladovic 1, Vujosevic 1.
Georgia: Dadvani 2, Alavidze 2, Eristavi 1.

Greece blew away Romania, despite the teams fought a balanced battle in the first quarter. Three seconds before the first break, Romania netted its first goal for 1:1. But, in the remaining time, the Greeks kept Romania scoreless and earned a big 11:1 win.

Tomorrow, Greece will face host Georgia. The Greeks need a point to keep the first place.

The Georgians played against Montenegro today. Montenegro opened the scoring and was leading 1:0, 2:1. Early in the second quarter, Georgia went ahead (3:2). Montenegro responded with three straight goals for a 5:3 advantage (17th minute). Until the end, Montenegro doubled the difference between the sides.

1 Greece 2 – 6
2 Montenegro 2 – 3
3 Georgia 2 – 3
4 Romania 2 – 0

Group C

Hungary – Serbia 12:3 (4:0, 4:0, 1:1,3:2)

Hungary: Vigvari 4, Szeghalmi 3, Nyiri 1, Varkonyi 1, Syabo 1, Meszaros 1, Kevi 1.
Serbia: Vukazic 1, Milojevic 1, Martinovic 1.

Netherlands – Slovakia 14:8 (4:3, 3:1, 3:3, 4:1)

Netherlands: Te Riele 3, De Haan 2, Kastrop 2, Ten Broek 2, Van der Weijden 2, Schouwerwou 1, Wouters 1, Repmpt 1.
Slovakia: Ravinger 3, Jakubis 1. Berlansky 1, Schavel 1, Mihal 1, Holic 1.

The match Hungary – Serbia was supposed to be a derby, but the Hungarians killed all excitements. Their defense was superb, especially in the first half. The Serbs had a poor shot efficiency in the first two periods (0/16). On the other side, Hungary nailed eight goals for the first 16 minutes. The Serbs woke up after a 3-minute break when it was too late. The damage had been already done. Hungary, led by Vince Vigvari, recorded a 12:3 victory.

Yesterday, the Netherlands had an 8:3 advantage in the match against Serbia, but the Dutch lost the game. Today, the Netherlands beat Slovakia, thanks to a 5:0 series in the first and the second quarter. Slovakia led 3:2. A minute before the first break, the Dutch found their rhythm. Deep into the second period, they were 7:3 up. Slovakia couldn’t recover from that shock.

1 Hungary 2 – 6
2 Netherlands 2 – 3
3 Serbia 2 – 3
4 Slovakia 2 – 0

Group D

Spain – Croatia 6:4 (0:1, 2:0, 3:1,1:2)

Spain: Biel 2, Daura 2, Valera 1, Ramon 1.
Croatia: Pozaric 2, Stahor 2.

France – Germany 6:11 (0:3, 1:3, 2:2, 3:3)

France:Vilcot 2, Barsotelli 1, Drahe 1, Vernoux 1, Vanhille 1.
Germany: Chiru 5, Bozic 3, Schipper 2, Arslan 1.

Spain defeated Croatia thanks to the excellent defense. The Croats took a 1:0 lead two and a half minutes into the 1st quarter. Than Spain shut out Croatia for almost 16 minutes and went in front – 3:1. The Croats came close (2:3). Spain responded with a 4:0 series and built an unattainable 6:2 lead with five minutes remaining on the clock to secure all three points.

Germany ruled the field in the first two periods and earned a 6:1 advantage by halftime. Soon after the middle break, the Germans added two goals for 8:1 and there was no way back for France. Tomorrow, the Germans will play against Croatia in the match which will determine the 2nd and the 3rd place in the group.

1 Spain 2 – 6
2 Germany 2 – 3
3 Croatia 2 – 3
4 France 2 – 0