Hungary and Montenegro finished the group stage at the European Elite U18 Championships in Oradea unbeaten and at the top of their respective groups.
Both teams achieved thrilling victories in their respective derbies today. Additionally, Croatia had a successful day, climbing to 2nd place in Group B and advancing to the Top 8 round, where it joined Italy, Hungary, and Montenegro, which all qualified for the quarterfinals yesterday.
In Group A, Hungary narrowly defeated Italy – 12:11, while Greece secured 3rd place by beating the Netherlands 16:13.
The Montenegrins triumphed over Spain in a thrilling match, 14:13, which confirmed their first place in Group B and allowed Croatia to advance to the quarterfinals. The Croats achieved a quite convincing victory over Serbia (13:9), but they would not have reached the quarterfinals if Spain had defeated Montenegro.
Spain, Serbia, Greece and the Netherlands will play in the crossover round tommorow, where they will meet the top four teams in Sub-division 2. France and Malta completed the competition in Sub-division 2 with perfect records.
Crossover round (August 21): Spain – Germany, Serbia – Malta, Greece – Poland, Netherlands – France.
Quarterfinals (August 22): Montenegro – Netherlands or France, Croatia – Greece or Poland, Hungary – Serbia or Malta, Italy – Spain or Germany
2025 European U18 Championships, Elite Division, Oradea, Day 2
1 Sub-division 1
Group A
Hungary – Italy 12:11 (3:4, 4:2,3:5, 2:0)
Greece – Netherlands 16:13 (4:3, 4:0, 5:6, 3:4)
Throughout the first three quarters of the derby Hungary – Italy, the score was tied at every point from one to eight, with the lead frequently shifting between the teams. Late in the third quarter, Italy’s Alberto Constanzo scored twice within 42 seconds, bringing the score to 10:8—marking the first time in the match that two goals separated the rivals. The Hungarians managed to reduce the deficit before the final quarter, ending with a score of 10:11.
Mor Benedek Photo by European Aquatics
After 11 goals in the first 24 minutes, Italy didn’t score a single goal in the final period. The Hungarians found the net twice, and that was enough for the win and 1st place in the group. Hungary had a man-up in its first possession in the fourth quarter, and Csanad converted it to 11:11. Rabb put Hungary in front, 12:11, with three minutes and 23 seconds left on the clock. It was the last goal in the game, but it wasn’t the end of the drama. Italy had the last possession in the match and started a counterattack. Hungary’s goalkeeper Damosy emerged as a hero. He saved two close-range shots within a few seconds. But just a second before the end, Italy had a new chance to level the score, as it was awarded a penalty shot. Tresa hit the crossbar, and Hungary kept a minimal advantage and 1st place in the group.
Mor Benedek (the son of the late Tibor Benedek) and Maxim Cseh scored three goals each for Hungary, but the best scorers of the match were Italy’s Costanzo and Tresa with four goals.
Greece and the Netherlands battled for 3rd place. The Dutch, who put up a strong fight in the matches against Italy and Hungary, didn’t have enough energy to keep up with the Greeks for more than a quarter. Deep into the first period, the teams were tied at 3:3. Between the eighth and 17th minutes, Greece, led by Ilias Angelopoulos (six goals this evening), produced a 6:0 series, earning a huge 9:3 advantage. The Dutch couldn’t come back into the match. They reduced the gap to two goals in the fourth period (12:14), but Greece didn’t let them come closer.
Group B
Serbia – Croatia 9:13 (3:5, 2:4, 1:3, 3:1)
Spain – Montenegro 13:14 (3:4, 4:4, 4:3, 2:3)
Croatia beat Serbia more easily than expected. The Serbs equalized the score just once, 1:1. At the first break, the Croats were 5:3 up. Serbia narrowed the gap. Already in the middle of the second quarter, they doubled their advantage (8:4). Until the end of the first half, the teams exchanged goals (9:5). Early in the third period, the Croats increased the margin to six (11:5 and the contest was over. Serbia narrowed the gap in the remaining time. The Serbs couldn’t find a way to stop Maro Susic, who found the net six times.
After their victory over Serbia, the Croats waited for the outcome of the Spain-Montenegro game. They hoped Montenegro would win to send them to the quarterfinals.
The encounter between Spain and Montenegro was filled with twists and turns, and the winner was decided in the final seconds. A minute and a half before the end of the first quarter, Spain held a slight advantage at 3:2. However, Montenegro then went on a 4:0 run to establish a 6:3 lead early in the second period. Moments later, the score was 7:4 in favor of Montenegro. Shortly after, Spain seized control of the game, taking the lead at 10:9 midway through the third quarter. Montenegro responded with two consecutive goals, but Spain managed to equalize before the end of the third period, bringing the score to 11:11.
Strahinja Gojkovic (MNE) Photo: European Aquatics
The back-and-forth continued in the fourth quarter. Montenegro regained the lead in the 25th minute, but Spain quickly responded with two goals, making it 13:12. In the 28th minute, Montenegro leveled the score at 13:13. In the following minutes, Spain missed three man-up opportunities, and they paid for it. With only 54 seconds left, Stupar fired the ball from a distance, giving Montenegro a new lead at 14:13. Spain attempted to equalize by playing with a 7 on 6 the dying seconds, but their efforts fell short and the Croatian fans in the stands began celebrating together with the Montenegrins.
Strahinja Gojkovic, who played for the senior team of Montenegro in Singapore, contributed four goals to the victory; Stupar added three. Millan netted three for Spain.
Final standings: 1. Montenegro 9, 2. Croatia 5, 3. Spain 4, 4. Serbia 0.
2 Sub-division 2
Group C
Turkiye – Poland 11:14 (2:1, 3:5, 2:3, 4:5)
France – Romania 14:8 (1:3, 5:0, 5:2, 3:3)
The third day kicked off with a surprising win of Poland over Turkiye. The Turks had an early 3:1 lead, but Poland entered the second half with a 6:5 lead. The Turks leveled the score several times during the next 16 minutes, the last time at 9:9. Then, Poland scored three goals in a row for 12:9, which was crucial for the outcome. The finish of the match was filled with tension – two Turkish players and one Pole were red-carded for violent fouls.
Romania needed to surprise France in order to advance to the crossover round. The match started positively for the Romanians, who led 3:1 at the first break. However, the French responded with a 10:2 run during the middle two quarters, ultimately ending Romania’s hopes for an upset.
Final standings: 1. France 9, 2. Poland 3, 3. Romania 3, 4. Turkiye 3.
The results between the teams in a three-way tie: Romania – Poland 12:11, Poland – Turkiye 14:11, Turkiye – Romania 12:11
Group D
Malta – Georgia 13:8 (3:3, 3:2, 4:0,3:3)
Germany – Ukraine 19:8 (5:0, 6:4, 4:1, 4:3)
Malta surprisingly finished at the top of Group D. The Maltese team achieved a historic win over Germany yesterday, marking their first-ever victory against Germany in any age category. Today, they defeated Georgia, solidifying their position in the group. Georgia initially took a 5:4 lead early in the second quarter, but Malta responded with six unanswered goals, entering the final period with a comfortable 10:5 advantage.
Germany, on the other hand, faced a less challenging match against Ukraine and advanced to the crossover round from 2nd place.
Final standings: 1. Malta 8, 2. Germany 7, 3. Georgia 3, 4. Ukraine 0.
Thursday, August 21 (all times are CET) – Crossover round: Netherlands – France (15:00), Greece – Poland (16:30), Serbia – Malta (18:00), Spain – Germany (19:30). 13th-16th place classification: Turkiye – Georgia (08:00), Romania – Ukraine (1o:30).
2025 European U18 Championships, Division 1, Rio Major, Day 3
Group A: Czech Republic – Slovakia 10:16. Moldova bye.
Standings: 1.Moldova 6, 2. Slovakia 3, 3. Czech Republic 0.
Group B: Bulgaria – Denmark 23:8, Switzerland – Ireland 13:15.
Final standings: 1. Bulgaria 9, 2. Switzerland 3, 3. Denmark 3, 4. Ireland 3. (The results between the teams in a three-way tie: Switzerland – Denmark 12:6, Switzerland – Ireland 13:15, Denmark – Ireland 14:10)
Group C: Israel – Austria 26:12, Great Britain – Belgium 12:14.
Final standings: 1. Israel 9, 2. Belgium 6, 3. Great Britain 3, 4. Austria 0
Group D, final standings: 1. Portugal 2, 2. Lithuania 1.
Moldova, Bulgaria, Israel, Portugal and Belgium, the 2nd placed team in Group C advanced to the quarterfinals. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Denmark, Great Britain and Lithuania will play in the crossover round.
Thursday, August 21 – Crossover matches: Slovakia – Denmark, Switzerland – Czech Republic, Lithuania – Great Britain. Classification 9th – 13th place: Ireland – Austria
