Croatia won three points in the highlighted match of Day 2 at the Men’s European U15 Championships in Podgorica.
The Croats beat their arch-rival in all age categories, Serbia. An exceptional defensive play was the key to the success. The Croats conceded only three goals and recorded an 8:3 win.
Greece blew Turkey away in the other today’s game in Group B in Division 1 – 20:2.
The teams in Group A ad a day off.
The matches in Division 2 were more interesting than on the opening day. However, there were few close contests. The race for the top spot in Group C has finished.
2023 Men’s European U15 Championships, Podgorica, Day 2
Division 1
GROUP B, round 1
Croatia – Serbia 8:3 (1:1, 2:1, 2:0, 3:1)
Greece – Turkey 20:2 (5:2, 8:0, 3:0, 3:0)
The Serbs scored an opening goal in the 3rd minute, and after that, their troubles in the attack started. Croatia leveled in the 5th minute. The Croats struggled in front of Serbia’s goal. However, an excellent defense, commanded by goalkeeper Nikola Batos, was the wind to the back of Croatia’s attack. The team in the white caps took a 3:1 lead midway through the second period. Serbia’s goalless phase lasted for 12 minutes. A power-play goal for 2:3 boosted Serbia’s hopes. Croatia’s Erenda made it 4:2 at the finish of the first half.
All photos by Krsto Vulovic and Filip Roganovic/WPF of Montenegro
The Serbs’ troubles in the attack continued in the third period. They hit the posts a few times, Batos continued its series of saves. Croatia netted two goals to head into the fourth quarter with a 6:2 advantage. A penalty shot goal in the 27th minute for 3:6 gave some hope to the Serbs, but Croatia responded with two goals for a convincing 8:3 victory.
Greece showed no mercy to Turkey. The Greeks rushed to a 4:0 lead in the first four minutes. After that, the Turks showed signs of life and reduced the gap to three in the sixth minute (2:5). But, they couldn’t find the net in the next 26 minutes, and Greece cruised to a 20:2 win. The Turks must cause at least one surprise to avoid 4th place in the group.
Day 3 (July 10)
Group A, round 2: Spain – Hungary (17:00), Italy – Montenegro (18:20)
Group B, round 2: Serbia – Turkey (14:20), Croatia – Greece (15:40)
Division 2
GROUP C
Malta – Moldova 14:9 (3:1, 4:3, 3:3, 4:2)
Bulgaria – Lithuania 9:6 (2:2, 2:1, 3:2, 2:1)
Standings: 1.Malta 6, 2. Moldova 3, 3. Bulgaria 3, 4. Lithuania 0.
GROUP D
Netherlands – Israel 11:8 (3:1, 3:2, 1:3, 4:2)
France – Bosnia and Herzegovina 29:1 (7:0, 9:0, 8:1, 5:0)
Ireland bye
Standings: 1. Netherlands 6 (2 games), 2. France 3 (1), 3. Israel 3 (2), 4. Ireland 0 (1), 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 (2)
GROUP E
Georgia – Switzerland 18:10 (4:1, 4:1, 6:3, 4:5)
Ukraine – Germany 5:16 (1:2, 1:4, 1:4, 2:6)
Standings: 1. Germany 6, 2. Georgia 6, 3. Ukraine 0, 4. Switzerland 0.
GROUP F
Poland – Romania 7:18 (3:6, 1:5, 1:4, 2:3)
Slovenia – Czech Republic 11:7 (2:1, 4:2, 2:2,3:2)
Standings: 1. Romania 6, 2. Poland 3, 3. Slovenia 3, 4. Czech Republic 0.
Five teams have two wins each after two days in Division 2, but only one has secured a spot in the playoffs.
Malta defeated Moldova 14:9 and cemented 1st place in Group C. Before beating Moldova, the Maltese defeated Bulgaria. In the last round, Malta will face winless Lithuania, and even if it losses that game, it won’t drop from 1st place.
Malta – Moldova Photo by K.Vulovic/WPF of Montenegro
The Netherlands defeated Israel 11:8 in the derby of the day in Group D. The Dutch have six points, but big challenges are in front of them. The match Netherlands – France will likely decide the top spot in this group. France opened the tournament today with an easy win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which scored only one goal in a 1:29 loss.
Germany and Georgia have six points each in Group E, but considering the results of the first two days, Germany is much closer to 1st place than the Georgians.
Romania leads the race in Group F. The Romanians easily defeated Poland (18:7), but they have to confirm 1st place in the match against Slovenia, which was better than the Czech Republic.
Day 2 (July 10)
Group C: Day off
Group D, round 3: Israel – France (09:00), Ireland – Netherlands (10:20). Bosnia and Herzegovina bye.
Group D, round 4: France – Ireland (19:40), Bosnia and Herzegovina – Israel (21:00). Netherlands bye
Group E, round 3: Georgia – Germany (11:40), Switzerland – Ukraine (13:00)
Group F: Day off
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