Serbia has become the fourth team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World U20 Championships in Zagreb, joining Hungary, Spain, and Croatia.
In the third round of Group B, Serbia defeated Italy 14:12. However, this victory alone would not have enabled Serbia to secure second place if Spain had not defeated Greece. The Spaniards edged out Greece 18:17 in the final match of the group stage, solidifying their position at the top of Group B with a perfect record.
Hungary claimed first place in Group A after defeating Croatia 15:11 in today’s derby match.
The four teams that have already qualified for the Round of 8 will enjoy a two-day break, while the remaining four teams from Division 1 will return to action on Wednesday for the eighth-finals (You’ll find the Road to the medals at the end of the article)
2025 World U20 Championships, Zagreb, Day 3
Division 1
Group A
Hungary – Croatia 15:11 (4:1, 3:2, 3:5, 5:3)
USA – Montenegro 16:10 (5:5, 4:1, 3:3, 4:1)
Hungary defeated Croatia with an outstanding defensive display in the first half. The Hungarian team created more effective attacks, scoring seven goals while conceding only three. The margin could have been wider if Croatia’s goalkeeper, Mauro Ivan Cubranic, hadn’t made several impressive saves. However, Croatia struggled to find its rhythm in the attack in the first 16 minutes. In the second half, Croatia began to chase their opponents, making the game more competitive. They managed to equalize at 8:8 late in the third quarter, but they couldn’t take the lead. Hungary responded by closing the third quarter with two quick goals. In the fourth period, Croatia fought back, reducing the deficit to one goal three times (9:10, 10:11, 11:12).
Despite the hosts’ efforts, Hungary secured the victory by scoring three unanswered goals in the last two and a half minutes. Both Hungary’s Balogh and Croatia’s Pavlic were the top scorers of the match, each netting four goals.
Photo by CRO WP (Croatian Water Polo Federation)
Team USA beat Montenegro 16:10 to win 3rd place in the group. After a high-scoring first quarter (5:5), defenses dominated in the second quarter. There were no goals until the 12th minute when Samardzic gave Montenegro a 6:5 lead. The Americans leveled immediately after from a penalty shot and added three goals by the middle break, so they were 9:6 up at halftime. The Montenegrins cut their deficit to one goal in the third period (8:9). But, Team USA didn’t let them come back into the match. The Americans controlled the game until the end, recording a 16:10 victory with four goals from William Schneider.
Final standings: 1. Hungary 9, 2. Croatia 6, 3. USA 3, 4. Montenegro 0.
Group B
Serbia – Italy 14:12 (4:5, 4:3, 5:2, 1:2)
Serbia defeated Italy 14:12 in a tense match with a lot of exclusions. Eleven players finished the game before the final buzzer (four from Serbia and seven from Italy) because of the third personal foul or a red card. The Italians started better, but Serbia leveled at 8:8 by the middle break. After a quick exchange of goals in the opening minute of the third period, four players were excluded within two minutes. Serbia left without its best player, Gladovic, and Bodiroga, while Italy’s Tringali and Gandolfo were sent off. In the middle of the quarter, the score was 10:10. Then, Serbia went on a crucial 3:0 run and headed into the fourth quarter leading 13:10.
Late into the fourth quarter, Italy narrowed the gap to one goal. In the 30th minute, Cora converted a man-up to make it 12:13. Andjelic replied from a 6-on-5 for 14:12. In the remaining 1:38 minutes, Serbia maintained a 2-goal lead. Luka Gladovic was Serbia’s best scorer, with three goals, even though he received a red card early in the third period. Tommaso Cora scored four goals for Italy.
After Serbia defeated Italy, Greece needed two points in the match against Spain to keep 2nd place and qualify directly for the quarter-finals. One point was enough for the Spaniards to remain atop the group. However, neither team calculated, and they played a combative and interesting game. Spain got off to a good start and took a 4:1 lead. But, the Greeks recovered from a bad start quickly. In the middle of the third period, the Greeks leveled at 6:6. Spain established a 2-goal lead shortly after (8:6) and maintained the distance by the end of the first half (10:8).
The third quarter belonged to the Greeks and the teams entered the final period tied at 12:12. The even contest continued in the fourth period. Three and a half minutes before the end, Greece went in front for the first time – Giannatos made it 15:14 from a counterattack. But Greece didn’t enjoy that lead for long, as Spain produced a 4:0 run in less than two minutes, earning an 18:15 advantage. Greece cut the deficit when it was too late. Lykoudis set the final score – 17:18 from a penalty with nine seconds left on the clock. Oier Aguirre was unstoppable today, scoring seven goals for Spain. Greece’s center-forward Samir Spahits found the net five times.
Final standings: 1. Spain 9, 2. Serbia 5, 3. Greece 4, 4. Italy 0.
Division 2
The highlight of today’s morning session was an encounter between China and Canada that decided which team will advance to the crossover round from Group F. The Chinese controlled the match for more than two quarters. Early in the third period, the Asians built a 4-goal lead (9:5). Canada was able to come back into the match and level at 10:10 before the fourth period. The Chinese earned a 12:10 advantage in the fourth period, but the North Americans caught up with them once again – 12:12. A minute and a half before the end, Ouyang put China in front – 13:12 and set the final score.
Photo by CRO WP (Croatian Water Polo Federation)
China, Germany, Iran, and Australia qualified for the crossover round. The remaining teams will play in the 13th–16th place classification in new groups. Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand and Singapore will compete in Group G, while Canada, Colombia, Kazakhstan and South Africa will play in Group H. After the group matches, the games for the final rankings will be played
Group C: Brazil – Germany 9:18 (2:5, 2:3, 2:4, 3:6). South Africa bye.
Final standings: 1. Germany 6, 2. Brazil 3, 3. South Africa 0.
Group D: Kazakhstan – Iran 9:16 (1:1, 2:7, 3:4, 3:4). New Zealand bye
Final standings: 1. Iran 6, 2. Kazakhstan 3, 3. New Zealand 0.
Group E: Colombia – Argentina 5:13 (1:2, 1:6, 1:2, 2:3). Australia bye.
Final standings: 1. Australia 6, 2. Argentina 3, 3. Colombia 0.
Group F: Canada – China 12:13 (1:3, 4:5, 5:2, 2:3). Singapore bye.
Standings: 1. China 6, 2. Canada 3, 3. Singapore 0.
Road to medals
CROSSOVER ROUND (June 17)
CO1: Iran – Germany
CO2: Australia – China
EIGHTH-FINALS (June 18)
EF1: Loser CO1 – USA
EF2: Loser CO2 – Greece
EF3: Winner CO1 – Montenegro
EF4: Winner CO2 – Italy
QUARTERFINALS (June 19)
QF1: Hungary– Winner EF4
QF2: Spain– Winner EF2
QF3: Croatia – Winner EF3
QF4: Serbia– Winner EF1
SEMIFINALS (June 20)
Winners QF1 – QF4
Winners QF 2 – QF3
FINAL DAY (June 21)
