Italy has become the first-ever European U16 men’s champion.
In the gold medal match of the European Men’s U16 Championships in Istanbul, Italy convincingly defeated Hungary 20:12. Hungary, which had won the gold medal at the last U15 Europeans, held in Podgorica two years ago, had to settle for the silver medal this time.
The score of the last match in the tournament was quite surprising, especially since there were many thrilling games at the Championships in Istanbul. However, Italy saved its best performance for last.
Italy won the gold, maintaining a perfect record throughout the tournament with six wins in six games.
Montenegro claimed third place, defeating Croatia 12:7 in the bronze-medal match.
2025 Elite Men’s European U16 Championships, Istanbul, Day 7
Italy quickly eliminated any suspense in the final, earning a 3:0 lead within the first four minutes. After Hungary managed to score, Italy responded with a 5:0 run over six and a half minutes, jumping to 8:1. By midway through the second quarter, Italy had built an 8-goal lead (10:2). They maintained the difference in the rest of the final.
Chianese scored five goals for Italy in the final. Maffei and Bordone added four each. Fabinyi was Hungary’s best scorer with four goals.
Montenegro led throughout the bronze medal match against Croatia. The Montenegrins earned a 2-goal lead in the first quarter (4:2). Late into the second quarter, they widened the gap to 7:3. The Croats halved the deficit in the middle of the third period (5:7). However, Montenegro retook control. Between the 21st and the 26th minute, they went on a 4:0 run, establishing an 11:5 lead and practically securing the win. Roganovic and Durutovic led Montenegro with three goals each.
Final: Italy – Hungary 20:12 (6:1, 6:3, 2:3, 6:5)
Bronze medal match: Montenegro – Croatia 12:7 (4:2, 3:2, 2:1, 3:2)
5th-place match: Spain – Greece 11:14 (2:3, 4:4, 4:3, 1:4)
7th-place match: Turkiye – Serbia 12:21 (3:6, 2:2, 1:6, 6:7)
Group 13th – 15th place, Round 3: Malta – Moldova 13:9 (1:2, 4:0, 4:5, 4:2)
Final standings
1. Italy
2. Hungary
3. Montenegro
4. Croatia, 5. Greece, 6. Spain, 7. Serbia, 8. Turkiye, 9. Germany, 10. Netherlands, 11. Romania, 12. Georgia, 13.Poland, 14. Malta, 15. Moldova.
2025 Division 1 Men’s European U16 Championships, Ljubljana, Day 7
The final of the Elite Division lacked excitement, but the gold-medal match in Division 1 in Ljubljana was a big thriller. France defeated Bulgaria only after a penalty shootout – 17:16 (12:12). However, both teams advanced to the Elite Division.
Final: Bulgaria – France 16:17 (1:3, 5:2, 4:4, 2:3, PSO 4:5)
3rd-place match: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Ukraine 13:11 (3:1,2:2, 1:4, 3:2, PSO 4:2)
5th-place match: Slovenia – Switzerland 8:9 (1:1, 5:3, 1:2, 1:3)
7th-place match: Lithuania – Cyprus 8:13 (2:2, 2:4, 3:3, 1:4)
9th-place match: Slovakia – Portugal 10:11 (0:3, 2:1, 4:4, 4:3)
11th-place match: Latvia – Czech Republic 2:19 (0:7, 0:2, 0:7, 2:3)
Final standing: 1. France, 2. Bulgaria, 3.Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4. Ukraine, 5. Switzerland, 6. Slovenia, 7. Cyprus, 8. Lithuania, 9. Portugal, 10. Slovakia, 11. Czech Republic, 12. Latvia.
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