There were a lot of goals and a few exciting matches, but there were no surprises on Day 2 of the qualifications for the European Men’s Championships.
All favorites collected the points. Serbia, the Netherlands and Germany mathematically or at least practically secured the top spots in their respective groups.
Tomorrow, Romania and Slovenia, both unbeaten in Group D, will face each other to determine the first place in Kranj. Romania is the heavy favorite, but Slovenia has a realistic chance to reach the Europeans in Israel as one of the three best 2nd-placed teams. Slovenia defeated Switzerland in a thrilling finish today (11:9), but it has a promising goal difference.. It’s almost certain that the best three teams 2nd-placed teams will be determined by goal difference.
The teams likely to finish in positions 2 in their groups besides Slovenia are Portugal, Slovakia, and Malta.
I The winners of the four groups and the best three second-placed teams will qualify for the Europeans in Netanya (January 3 – 16, 2024).
2024 European Men’s Championships, Qualifications, Day 2
Group A (Amersfoort, Netherlands)
Lithuania – Poland 7:8 (1:2, 0:1, 4:1, 2:4)
Lithuania: Jonkus 3, Bakulo 2, Vitkauskas 1, Blazevic 1.
Poland: Michalski 3, Cebo 2, Diakonow 2, Kowalewski 1.
Netherlands – Portugal 19:9 (2:1, 4:2, 7:3, 6:3)
Netherlands:Van Ijperen 7, Winkelhorst 2, Kastrop 2, Te Riele 2, Nispeling 2, Muller 2, De Mey 1, De Weerd 1.
Portugal:P.F.Sousa 7, X.R.Sousa 1, Sobetchi 1.
In an exciting match, Poland emerged victorious against Lithuania, which scored the first goal just two minutes into the game. Despite this setback, Poland managed to keep Lithuania scoreless for the next 16 minutes while scoring three goals. However, Lithuania made a comeback and went into the final quarter leading 5:4. Yet, Poland opened the final period with two goals regaining an advantage (6:5). Lithuania managed to level the score at 6:6, Poland quickly responded with two more goals to secure an 8:6 lead. Even though the Lithuanians managed to cut the deficit to one goal with two minutes left on the clock, they could not score again.
The Netherlands let no surprise, even though it started slowly. The Portugueses’ hopes lived until the middle break. They trailed by three goals before the third quarter (3:6). The home side made a 4:0 run at the beginning of the second half to jump to 10:6, killing all the suspense. Portugal’s goal difference is 0 at the moment (interestingly, it beat Lithuania with the same score as it lost to the Dutch). They need a big victory over Poland tomorrow to be among the three best 2nd-placed teams.
1. Netherlands 2 – 6 (+34)
2. Portugal 2 – 3 (0)
3. Poland 2 – 3 (-23)
4. Lithuania 2 – 0 (-11)
June 25: Poland – Portugal (09:30), Netherlands – Lithuania (11:30)
Group B (Gzira, Malta)
Bulgaria – Ukraine 13:23 (4:5, 2:5, 2:7, 5:6)
Bulgaria:Metodiev 4, Ivanov 2, Stankov 2, Velkov 2, Dimitrov 1, Valkov 1, Iliev 1.
Ukraine:Diadiura 4, Ashanin 3, Alieksieiev 3,Osyka 2, Voitenko 2, Dzhura 2, Mametyev 2, Gusakov 2, Kechedzhy 2, Sokolov 1.
Malta – Germany 10:15 (2:3, 2:4, 3:2, 3:6)
Malta:Muscat 3, Galea 2, Gambin 1, Cutajar 1, Abela 1, N.Zammit 1, Bugelli 1.
Germany: Bozic 5, Juengling 2, Chiru 2, Sekulic 2, Cuk 1, Strelezkij 1, Schipper 1, Gansen 1.
Neither Bulgaria nor Ukraine were the contenders for the spots at the European Championships, but both teams wanted to make the most of the qualification tournament. They are very motivated to show their best. Still, their encounter was an even contest only in the first 12 minutes. Between the 12th and 15th minute, Ukraine produced a 4:0 run and jumped from 6:5 to 10:5. By the end, Ukraine doubled the margin.
A few months ago, Germany trashed Malta 15:5 in the World Cup Division 2. Today, the Germans again proved they were the favorites against Malta, but they had to put much effort into the win.
Zoran Bozic (Germany) Photo: Total Waterpolo
Still, the first half set the tone of the match. Malta surprised the Germans with a 2:0 lead. The Germans found their rhythm midway through the first quarter and started dominating. They scored six goals in a row and earned a 6:2 lead. Deep into the third period, Germany stretched the margin to five (9:4). However, Malta scored three goals in the last two minutes of the third quarter and narrowed the distance (7:9). Germany’s Zoran Bozic found the net twice at the beginning of the fourth quarter for a safe 11:7 advantage.
1.Germany 2 – 6 (+26)
2.Malta 2 – 3 (+2)
3.Ukraine 2 – 3 (+3)
4. Bulgaria 2 – 0 (-31)
Head to head: Malta – Ukraine 14:7
June 25: Malta – Bulgaria (09:00), Ukraine – Germany (10:15)
Group C (Istanbul, Turkey)
Slovakia – Serbia 8:15 (2:3, 3:3, 2:4, 1:5)
Slovakia: Zatovic 1, Maros Tkac 1, Marek Tkac 3, Caraj 1, Balaz 2.
Serbia: Jaksic 3, Vucinic 3, Ubovic 2, Milojevic 2, Drasovic 2, Radulovic 1, S.Rasovic 1, Dimitrijevic 1.
Great Britain – Turkey 2:19 (0:6, 0:5, 2:3, 0:5)
Great Britain: Elliot 1, Pratt 1.
Turkey: Ozbek 3, Colak 3, Alkan 3, Yenigun 2, Sonmez 2, Ozbakis 2, Caner 2, Oguzcan 1, Kahraman 1.
Serbia practically secured 1st place and a ticket for the Europeans, but it struggled against Slovakia in the first half of the game. However, Serbia’s quality shone through in the second half.
Slovakia scored the first goal, but Serbia replied with three in a row for a 3:1 lead. Slovakia managed to catch up at 4:4 and 5:5, but Serbia retook the lead shortly before the middle break. By the middle of the third period, Serbia went to 8:5 and dominated the rest of the match. The Slovaks shouldn’t be disappointed, as they displayed a good performance and still have a chance to qualify for the 2024 Europeans. They will be chasing a big winning margin against Great Britain tomorrow.
Turkey easily defeated Great Britain, but it’s almost certain that these three points won’t help the hosts qualify for the Europeans, as they will face Serbia on Sunday. Great Britain needed more than six quarters to score its first goal in the qualifications. After yesterday’s 0:28 loss to Serbia and a 0:11 first half in today’s game, Jordan Eliot finally put Great Britain on the scoreboard in the 16th minute. It’s clear that the Brits didn’t have luck in the draw. The rivals in Istanbul are too strong for them.
1.Serbia 2 – 6 (+35)
2.Slovakia 2 – 3 (-2)
3. Turkey 2 – 3 (+12)
4. Great Britain 2 – 0 (-45)
Head to head: Slovakia – Turkey 11:6.
June 25: Great Britain – Slovakia (11:30 – 10:30 CET), Turkey – Serbia (13:30 – 12:30 CET)
Group D (Kranj, Slovenia)
Finland – Romania 6:19 (1:5, 3:7, 0:2, 2:5)
Finland: Johnsson 3, Jernmark 2, Olilla 1.
Romania: Vancsik 4, Bota 3, Tepelus 2, Fulea 2, Gergelyfi 2, Neamtu 2, Lutescu 1, Dinca 1, Antipa 1, Rath 1.
Slovenia – Switzerland 11:9 (3:1, 2:2, 2:3, 4:3)
Slovenia:Kadivec 5, Popovic 1, Canc 1, Stefanovic 1, Pusavec 1, Troppan 1, Cerar 1.
Switzerland: Szer 3, Pleyer 3, N.Milovanovic 1, Geiser 1, Herzog 1.
Finland suffered a 4:25 loss to Slovenia yesterday, so today’s 13-goal defeat against favorite Romania isn’t bad for the Scandinavians. The Romanians imposed their rhythm from the beginning and earned an early 4:0 lead. Finland reduced the gap to three twice in the fourth quarter (2:5, 3:6). Romania controlled the match and led 19:4 at the finish, but the Scandinavians didn’t surrender. They scored two late goals that encouraged them before tomorrow’s duel against Switzerland, where both teams will seek the first points.
The encounter between Slovenia and Switzerland was among the most exciting in the first two days of the qualifications. Slovenia led for most of the time. It had a 3-goal lead several times (5:2, 6:3, 7:4). The persistent and patient Swiss waited for their chances. Two and a half minutes before the end, the visitors leveled at 9:9 and the match entered a thrilling finish. Still, Slovenia earned three points with two goals from Jasa Kadivec (a penalty shot and an action goal) in the last 69 seconds – 11:9.
Thanks to a big win over Finland, Slovenia has a good goal difference and good chances to qualify for the Europeans.
1.Romania 2 – 6 (+23)
1.Slovenia 2 – 6 (+23)
3. Switzerland 2 – 0 (-12)
4. Finland 2 – 0 (-34)
June 25: Switzerland – Finland (09:30), Slovenia – Romania (11:10)
