All teams that participated in Division 1 at the 2025 World U20 Championships in Zagreb retained their positions in the Top 8 for the upcoming Championships scheduled for 2027.
None of the teams that advanced from Division 2 to the crossover round were able to defeat their opponents in the eighth-finals.
In an exciting match, Montenegro edged out Germany 11:10. Italy, the USA, and Greece secured convincing wins.
The four winners from today’s matches joined Hungary, Spain, Croatia, and Serbia, which qualified for the quarterfinals after the group stage.
Given that most of the games in Division 1 were closely contested, an interesting quarterfinal day is anticipated.
As for the 13th-20th place classification, Canada secured itself a spot in the 13th-place match, while Brazil will likely join the North Americans
2025 World U20 Championships
Eighth-finals (Crossover Round 2)
Iran – USA 5:23 (1:7, 1:5, 0:3, 3:8)
China – Greece 6:27 (2:5, 0:8, 2:6, 2:8)
Germany – Montenegro 10:11 (2:3, 4:4, 1:2, 3:2)
Australia – Italy 6:17 (1:3, 3:4, 1:6, 1:4)
The first two games of the eighth-finals lacked excitement. Team USA and Greece demolished power. Team USA beat Iran 23:5. Stanley was the top scorer with four goals. Greece was too strong for China – 27:6. Angelopoulos scored six goals, as did all the Chinese players combined.
The real show started with the clash between the European teams, Germany and Montenegro. The game remained open until the very end, despite Germany never taking the lead. The Montenegrins earned an early 2:0 lead and maintained a 2-goal difference. However, Germany chased them and leveled twice in the final minutes of the first half (5:5 and 6:6). Still, Montenegro was 7:6 up at halftime.
Midway through the third period, Montenegro built a 3-goal lead for the first time (9:6). The Montenegrins kept a 3-goal distance until the 28th minute -11:8. Germany refused to give up. It scored two goals and narrowed the gap to 10:11 with 02:12 minutes left on the clock. In the remaining time, there were no goals and Montenegro advanced to the quarterfinals. Matijasevic, Nikaljevic and Perov scored two goals each for Montenegro, while Hofmann netted three for Germany.
One of a few lefties on Italy’s roster, Giacomone, scored four goals today Photo: CRO WP
Australia scored an opening goal in the match against Italy. However, after that, the young “Settebello” kept the Australians goalless for almost ten minutes while scoring five goals, going 5:1 ahead. Australia narrowed the gap by the end of the first half (4:7), but Italy was dominant in the third period and secured a victory before the final eight minutes.
Italy’s defense was up to the task, but it should be noted that a man-up conversion was Australia’s weakest point in today’s match. The “Sharks” forced a lot of exclusions. Even four of Italy’s players ended the game before the fourth period due to three personal fouls (in addition, two were sent off during the fourth quarter). However, a lot of extra player attacks didn’t help Australia. Australia scored three goals from its 15 extra player shots (and only one from four penalty shots), while Italy’s man-up conversion was 6/11 (and penalty shots 1/2). Giacomone and Lo Re contribured four goals each to Italy’s 17:6 win. The man of the match was goalkeeper Jacopo Rubini, who saved 11 out of 16 shots during the first three quarters (he was replaced after the last break).
Road to medals
Quarterfinals (June 19)
QF1: Hungary– Italy (16.00)
QF2: Spain– Montenegro (17.30)
QF3: Croatia – Greece (19.00)
QF4: Serbia– USA (20.30)
Semifinals (June 20)
Winners QF1 – QF4
Winners QF 2 – QF3
Final day (June 21)
13th-20th place classification
Singapore earned its first win at the tournament. The junior team of the country that will host the 2025 World Championships for senior teams defeated New Zealand 13:12, scoring a last-gap goal with just one second to go.
Brazil beat Argentina 14:8 in the South American derby. Brazil must win a point against Singapore tomorrow to retain the top spot in Group G and qualify for the 13th-place match.
Argentina – Brazil Photo by CRO WP (Croatian Water Polo Federation)
Canada secured the top spot in Group H and already advanced to the 13th-place game with a 15:11 victory over Kazakhstan.
Group G
Argentina – Brazil 8:14 (3:6, 0:0, 0:3, 5:5)
Singapore – New Zealand 13:12 (3:1, 1:3, 5:4, 4:4)
Standings: 1. Brazil 6, 2. Argentina 3, 3. Singapore 3, 4. New Zealand 0.
Group H
Colombia – South Africa 21:8 (5:2, 4:4, 6:0, 6:2)
Canada – Kazakhstan 15:11 (3:2, 5:5, 4:3, 3:1)
Standings: 1. Canada 6, 2. Colombia 3, 3. Kazakhstan 3, 4. South Africa 0.
