Three teams collected six points each in the first two rounds in Sub-division 1 of the European Elite U18 Championships in Oradea, thus securing themselves a day off on Thursday
Italy, Hungary, and Montenegro are unbeaten after two rounds. They will skip the crossover round, scheduled for Thursday, as they have already qualified for the quarterfinals. Tomorrow, Spain or Croatia will join them.
Today, Italy beat the Netherlands 16:11, and Hungary beat Greece 19:13 in Group A. The Hungarians and the Italians will face off tomorrow in a match that will decide the group winner.
Montenegro and Spain recorded convincing wins in the second round of Group B. The Montenegrins defeated Croatia 12:7, while Spain beat Serbia 13:7. Montenegro advanced to the quarterfinals. Spain or Croatia will secure the only available ticket for direct qualification to the Top 8 stage. Serbia, after two losses, has to go to the crossover round, like Greece and the Netherlands.
There were no close matches in Groups A and B, but the encounters in Groups C and D produced a lot of thrills, and none of the teams have qualified for the crossover round from these groups yet.
2025 European U18 Championships, Elite Division, Oradea, Day 2
1 Sub-division 1
Group A
Netherlands – Italy 11:16 (3:4, 2:1, 3:4, 3:7)
Greece – Hungary 13:19 (5:3, 4:6, 3:5, 1:5)
The Netherlands caused headaches to Italy (just like it did against Hungary yesterday), but left the pool empty-handed. The Dutch had a minimal lead several times (twice in the first quarter – 2:1 and 3:2, and once in the third period – 6:5. After their sixth goal, Italy produced a 3:0 run for an 8:6 lead, but the contest wasn’t over yet. The Dutch trailed by a goal before the final eight minutes – 8:9. However, Italy opened the fourth quarter with four straight goals, securing a comfortable 13:8 advantage and booking the ticket to the quarterfinals. Constanzo scored four goals for Italy, and Jukic had the same output for the Dutch team.
Greece had a dream start in their match against Hungary. The Greek defense was flawless in the opening minutes, allowing them to take a 3:0 and then a 4:1 lead in the first quarter. However, Hungary soon imposed its rhythm. In the 11th minute, the Hungarians equalized at 5:5. Greece briefly went ahead again at 6:5. Still, Hungary controlled the match in the following several minutes, building an 8:6 lead late in the second period.
The Greeks leveled at 9:9 in their last possession in the first half, and added a goal in their first attack in the second half for 10:9. However, it turned out that it was their last advantage. Midway through the third quarter, Hungary reestablished a two-goal lead (12:10) and maintained it until the last break. Four minutes before the end, the Hungarians were still two steps ahead – 15:13. The Greeks’ last hope of a comeback disappeared in the following minutes, as Hungary closed the match with a 4:0 run. Statistically, Mor Benedek made the difference with six goals for Hungary. Chatzis scored four for Greece.
Standings: 1. Italy 6, 2. Hungary 6, 3. Greece 0, 4. Netherlands 0.
Wednesday, August 20 (all times are CET): Greece – Netherlands (16:30), Hungary – Italy (19:30)
Group B
Croatia – Montenegro 7:12 (3:4, 1:2, 1:2, 2:4)
Spain – Serbia 13:7 (2:3, 2:2, 4:1, 5:1)
After beating Serbia narrowly in the first round (9:8), the Montenegrins defeated their other neighbor, Croatia. Montenegro let Croatia level the score just twice in the first quarter – 1:1 and 3:3. In the very last second of the first quarter, Roganovic put Montenegro in front – 4:3. By the middle of the second period, Montenegro built a 3-goal lead (6:3). The Croats narrowed the gap shortly before the middle break. However, the Montenegrins opened the second half with two goals, went to 8:4. From that point on, the difference was never smaller than three goals. Stupar (Montenegro) and Dujmic (Croatia) found the net three times each.
Spain and Serbia were in a neck-and-neck race until the middle of the third quarter. Spain scored seven goals in the last 12 minutes, conceding only one, to secure a convincing win.
Serbia led 3:2 at the first break. Spain equalized at the beginning of the second quarter. In the following minutes, the Serbian team had two chances from the penalty line, but Spain’s goalkeeper Pina saved both shots. After one of his many saves, he assisted his teammate Komabali, who scored a goal on a counterattack, putting Spain ahead 4-3. However, Serbia managed to enter the second half with a 5:4 lead. At the start of the third period, Spain turned the score around to 6:5. In the 20th minute, Serbia equalized at 6:6. This was followed by a strong finish from the Spaniards, whose most effective weapon was counterattacks. Comabella emerged as Spain’s key player, scoring four goals.
Standings: 1. Montenegro 6, 2. Spain 4, 3. Croatia 2, 4. Serbia 0.
Wednesday, August 20 (all times are CET): Serbia – Croatia (12:30), Montenegro – Spain (15:00).
2 Sub-division 2
Group C
Turkiye – France 10:11 (4:4, 2:3, 2:3, 2:1)
Poland – Romania 11:12 (4:3, 2:3, 2:3, 3:3)
Standings: 1. France 6, 2. Turkiye 3, 3. Romania 3, 4. Poland 0.
Group D
Ukraine – Georgia 8:17 (3:3, 1:5, 1:6, 3:3)
Germany – Malta 20:21 (1:2, 4:2, 4:4, 2:3, PSO 9:10)
Standings: 1. Malta 5, 2. Germany 4, 3. Georgia 3, 4. Ukraine 0.
The second day in a „lower house“ was packed with thrilling games, and everything is still open. None of the teams has secured a spot in the crossover round.
France achieved its second win, defeating Turkiye 11:10. After a balanced first quarter (4:4), France earned a 6:4 advantage early in the second period. In the following minutes, the Turks desperately chased the French, but they failed. France entered the final minute leading 11:10. At 00:31, Turkiye had an opportunity to level the score from a penalty shot, but didn’t, and France earned all three points.
Romania had a very demanding task against Poland, which was considered an underdog. However, the Poles were an equal opponent. The teams were tied at 11:11 at the end of the game, but Romania scored a winner with 42 seconds to go.
Malta achieved a quite surprising victory over Germany. The Germans led 11:9 in the middle of the final quarter. Malta was able to equalize in the remaining time, 11:11, and eventually took two points after 14 rounds of shots in a penalty shootout.
Georgia defeated Ukraine and kept its chances of qualifying for the crossover round alive.
Wednesday, August 20 (all times are CET): Turkiye – Poland (08:00), Germany – Ukraine (9:30), Malta – Georgia (11:00), Romania – France (19:00)
2025 European U18 Championships, Division 1, Rio Major, Day 2
Group A: Moldova – Czechia 20:9. Slovakia bye.
Standings: Moldova (2 games) 6 points, 2. Slovakia (1) 0, 3. Czech Republic (1) 0.
Group B: Switzerland – Denmark 12:6 (postponed match of Day 1), Denmark – Ireland 14:10, Bulgaria – Switzerland 23:14
Standings: 1. Bulgaria 6, 2. Switzerland 6, 3. Denmark 3, 4. Ireland 0.
Group C: Austria – Belgium 9:26, Israel – Great Britain 15:8
Standings: 1. Israel 6, 2. Belgium 3, 3. Great Britain 3, 4. Austria 0.
Group D: Portugal – Lithuania 16:14, PSO (11:11).
Final standings: 1. Portugal 2, 2. Lithuania 1.
