Serbia returned to the top 8 European national teams.
The Olympic champions beat France 14:10 in today’s crossover match at the 36th European Championships in Croatia. The Serbs broke the rival’s resistance at the finish of the third quarter and in the opening minutes of the fourth period.
Montenegro recorded a convincing win over Germany (10:5). Between the 15th and 23rd minute, the Montenegrins scored six goals in a row and jumped from 4:3 to 10:3, which was crucial for the outcome..
On Friday, Serbia will play against Hungary in the quarterfinals, while Montenegro will meet Italy.
The remaining two games of the crossover round, Georgia – Romania and Greece – Netherlands, are scheduled for tomorrow.
2024 European Men’s Championships (January 4 – 16), Day 7
Crossover matches
France – Serbia 10:14 (2:3, 4:3, 1:3, 3:5)
France: Vernoux 3, Bouet 2, Saudadier 1, Crousillat 1, Khasz 1, Bodegas 1, Zivkovic 1.
Serbia: Mandic 4, Drasovic 4, Jaksic 3, Vico 1, Ubovic 1, Radulovic 1.
The encounter between Serbia and France was the derby of the crossover round. Fifteen months ago, these rivals met in the same phase of the European Championships in Split. France edged out Serbia 10:9 in 2022. Today, the match had no thrilling ending. However, as expected, it was a tough game with many exclusions. Both teams had a very good percentage of extra player shots – Serbia’s was 8/10, and France’s 8/12. Serbia had one double-man attack and converted it. As for the penalty shots, there were no misses. Serbia scored two, and France one goal from the 5m line.
The score was tied at every number from 3 to 6. Serbia was always in front in the second half.
Serbia made a good start and took a 2:0 and 3:1 lead, but France staged a comeback, scoring three consecutive goals for 4:3 . Mandic quickly equalized with a beautiful lob. That goal was the only one from a 6 on 6 attack in the first half. Serbia had a 5:4 advantage, but France responded with two goals. However, a second before the end of the second quarter, Mandic scored with an extra player, bringing the score to 6:6.
Dusan Mandic (SRB) and France’s defense Photo by Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics
Serbia went to 8:6 with two quick goals early in the third period. Bouet narrowed the gap to 7:8. But, Serbia improved its defense with a man down. Goalkeeper Mitrovic played a crucial role with a series of outstanding saves, boosting the team’s confidence. At the finish of the third period, Drasovic converted a penalty for 9:7. The Serbs opened the fourth period similarly to the previous one, with two quick goals and extended their lead to 11:7. Jaksic scored from a 6 on 4, and Mandic with an extra player. Four minutes before the end, Marko Radulovic found the net from a distance to make it 13:8 and there was no way back for the French.
Montenegro – Germany 10:5 (3:1, 3:2, 4:1,0:1)
Montenegro: Ukropina 3, Averka 2, Perkovic 1, Mrsic 1, Vujovic 1, Matkovic 1, V.Radovic 1.
Germany: Strelezkij 3, Bozic 2.
The second match in the crossover round lacked excitement. Montenegro was too strong for Germany today. Germany’s head coach, Milos Sekulic, had trouble in composing the team for the match, because four players were sick. Among those who missed the match was Fynn Schuetze, one of the key players. Montenegro was without Popadic (red-carded in the match against Croatia), but with 13 players on the roster.
The first quarter belonged to the Montenegrins. Perkovic stretched the margin to three at the beginning of the second period (4:1). The Germans tried to come back and were close to an equalizer. Two and a half minutes before the middle break, they reduced the gap to one (3:4). Shortly after, the Germans had a chance to level the score with a man-up. But, they lost the ball. Montenegro closed the second quarter with two goals and restored a 3-goal lead.
Perkovic (MNE) attempts to block Strelezkij Photo by Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics
Montenegro dominated the third period, adding four goals in a row and jumped to 10:3. The contest was over. The Montenegrins didn’t score a goal in the last 09:30 minutes, but their win wasn’t in danger.
Road to the medals
(all games will be played in Zagreb, all times are CET)
Crossover round
CO MATCH 1: France – Serbia 10:14
CO4: Montenegro – Germany 10:5
CO2: Georgia – Romania (January 11, 17:00)
CO3: Greece – Netherlands (January 11, 19:00)
Quarterfinals (January 12)
Hungary– Serbia (15:00)
Spain – Winner CO2 (16:30)
Croatia – Winner CO3 (18:30)
Italy – Montenegro (20:15)
Semifinals (January 14)
Hungary/Serbia – Croatia/Winner CO3 (16.30)
Spain/Winner C02 – Italy/Montenegro (20:15)
Final day (January 16)
Bronze-medal match (16:30)
Final (20:15)
The classification matches (9th – 16th place) will be played in Dubrovnik. The semifinals of the 13th-16th place classification are scheduled for January 11.
European Championships schedule and scores
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