Montenegro and Italy made the first steps towards the quarterfinals of the Men’s European U15 Championships that started in Podgorica today.
Both teams recorded wins in today’s games in Division 1. Italy narrowly defeated Spain 9:8. Montenegro beat Hungary 11:8 thanks to an excellent finish.
Since the top three teams from the groups of Division 1 go to the quarterfinals, one win in the group stage in Division 1 may be enough for a spot among the top 8.
The first games in Group B in Division 1 will be played tomorrow.
As for Division 2, only one of today’s eight matches offered excitement.
The Moraca Pool during the opening ceremony All photos: Water Polo Federation of Montenegro
The Opening Ceremony was held before the last match of a long competition day, Hungary – Montenegro. Djuro Maric, the President of the Water Polo Federation of Montenegro, welcomed all the teams and the guests and opened the championships.
2023 Men’s European U15 Championships, Podgorica, Day 1
Division 1
GROUP A
Spain – Italy 8:9 (3:2, 2:4, 0:3, 3:0)
Hungary – Montenegro 8:11 (3:2, 2:2, 2:3, 1:3)
As the result show, the middle two quarters were crucial for Italy’s win over Spain. The Spaniards led 3:2 after the first quarter. They doubled their advantage to 4:2 in the 9th minute. However, they couldn’t keep their momentum Italy took control, scoring four consecutive goals in less than five minutes to gain a 6:4 lead.
Italy – Spain Photo: Water Polo Federation of Montenegro
Italy maintained their lead throughout the rest of the game,. The young “Settebello” stretched the margin to four before the final quarter (9:5). Although Spain regained their rhythm in the final quarter and scored three unanswered goals, Italy held on to secure the win. Spain’s final goal, bringing the score to 8:9, came just 16 seconds before the buzzer, proving too late.
The Hungarians and the Montenegrins were in a neck-and-neck race for most of the game. Hungary earned a 3:1 lead in the 7th minute (3:1), but Montenegro caught up with the rival shortly after the beginning of the second quarter (3:3) and continued chasing the Hungarians until the middle break (5:5). Hungary rebuilt a 2-goal advantage in the middle of the third period when Pinter found the net for 7:5. Montenegro responded with three goals. Durutovic scored from a distance with 42 seconds left in the third period and put the hosts in front for the first time – 8:7.
The Hungarians leveled at 8:8 in the 28th minute. But the finish belonged to the Montenegrins, who earned a 10:8 lead. The hosts’ goalkeeper Pejovic saved a shot from Jambor with 71 seconds left on the clock and everything was decided. Brnovic sealed Montenegro’s win in the next attack with a power play goal for the final score – 11:8
The teams in Group A will have a day off tomorrow when the play in Group B will start.
Day 2 (July 9)
Group B, Round 1: Greece – Turkey (19:40), Croatia – Serbia (21:00)
Division 2
GROUP C
Malta – Bulgaria 17:6 (3:1, 5:1, 5:1, 4:3)
Moldova – Lithuania 16:6 (3:2, 3:0, 4:1, 6:3)
GROUP D
Israel – Ireland 28:3 (5:1, 6:0, 8:0, 9:2)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Netherlands 5:39 (1:10, 1:11, 2:8, 1:10)
France bye
GROUP E
Georgia – Ukraine 12:10 (2:4, 3:0,4:3, 3:3)
Switzerland – Germany 4:18 (0:5, 1:6, 2:4, 1:3)
GROUP F
Poland – Slovenia 19:7 (4:4, 5:0, 4:2, 6:1)
Romania – Czech Republic 24:3 (7:0, 4:0, 7:0, 6:3)
Almost all matches on Day 1 in Division 2 were one-sided contests.
The exception was an encounter between Georgia and Ukraine in Group E. After the first quarter, Ukraine led 4:2. Georgia made a 4:0 series for a 6:4 advantage early in the third quarter. In the remaining time, the teams exchanged goals. Ukraine halved the deficit to one goal six times, but Georgia rebuilt a 2-goal advantage after each of the six and recorded a 12:10 win.
Georgia – Ukraine Photo by K.Vulovic/WPF of Montenegro
The Netherlands scored more than one goal per minute in beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 39:5. Romania let The Czech Republic score its first goal only in the first minute of the final period. Israel was very very convincing against Ireland
Day 2 (July 9)
Group C: Malta – Moldova (17:00), Bulgaria – Lithuania (18:20)
Group D: Netherlands – Israel (09:00), France – Bosnia and Herzegovina (10:20). Ireland bye
Group E: Georgia – Switzerland (11:40), Ukraine – Germany (13:00)
Group F: Poland – Romania (14:20), Slovenia – Czech Republic (15:40)
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