The European U15 Championships for girls began in Zagreb, while the top European boys’ teams are completing their preparations for the men’s U15 Europeans in Podgorica from July 8 to 16.
The “Duisburg 98 Cup” featured six nations and was a high-quality preparation tournament for the event in Podgorica.
Croatia won the tournament in a closely contested event, with Hungary taking the silver and Montenegro the bronze medal. Italy finished fourth, Germany fifth, and Australia sixth.
Hungary, Croatia, and Montenegro all had nine points before today’s last round.
Croatia demolished Germany 16:8 today, even though Germany led 4:1 at the first break and 6:4 at halftime. After the win, the Croats waited for the outcome of the last match of the tournament, Hungary – Montenegro. If Hungary had won, the Hungarians would have finished 1st (because they beat Croatia 18:12). After Croatia beat Germany, Montenegro lost all chances to clinch the winning trophy since it was defeated by Croatia 3:6 in the 3rd round.
The duel between the Hungarians and the Montenegrins was a thrilling contest. The rivals shared the points – 10:10. (Montenegro scored an equalizer just four seconds before the final buzzer), which suited Croatia. The Croats remained in 1st place. Hungary finished ahead of Montenegro because of a better goal difference.
Duisburg Cup, results and standings
VISIT THE TOTAL WATERPOLO ARENA FOR ALL SCORES AND THE STATISTICS OF THE “DUISBURG CUP”
Round 1
Montenegro – Australia 23:5 (6:1, 3:2, 6:1, 8:1)
Germany – Hungary 2:21 (1:4, 0:4, 0:4, 1:9)
Croatia – Italy 8:7 (3:0, 3:2, 1:2, 1:3)
Round 2
Australia – Croatia 6:12 (1:3, 1:6, 1:2, 3:1)
Hungary – Italy 10:12 (3:2, 1:2, 4:4, 2:4)
Germany – Montenegro 7:16 (1:1, 2:4, 2:4, 2:7)
Round 3
Australia – Hungary 4:21 (2:4, 2:9, 0:4, 0:4)
Montenegro – Croatia 3:6 (1:1, 0:1, 1:2, 1:2)
Germany – Italy 8:17 (1:5, 3:4, 3:3, 1:5)
Round 4
Croatia – Hungary 12:18 (3:4, 5:7, 1:4, 3:3)
Italy – Montenegro 5:8 (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:2)
Germany – Australia 8:4 (2:1, 3:0, 1:3, 2:0)
Round 5
Italy – Australia 9:6 (4:1, 2:1, 1:3, 2:1)
Germany – Croatia 8:16 (4:1, 2:3, 2:7, 0:5)
Montenegro – Hungary 10:10 (3:4, 1:1, 3:3, 3:2)
1.Croatia 5 – 12
2. Hungary 5 – 10 (+40)
3. Montenegro 5 – 10 (+27)
4. Italy 5 – 9
5. Germany 5 – 3
6. Australia 5 – 0
VISIT THE TOTAL WATERPOLO ARENA FOR ALL SCORES AND THE STATISTICS OF THE “DUISBURG CUP”
