As the Elite Men’s U16 European Water Polo Championships kicked off in Istanbul on Monday, Greece, Spain and Italy all got off to a flying start with commanding victories over their close rivals. Elsewhere, in Ljubljana, the Division One action saw several big wins for the favourites.
Men’s U16 European Water Polo Championships
Day 1 Elite Division
Group Stage – Istanbul, Türkiye
Monday 7 July 2025
Group A
Serbia 11-10 Türkiye
Hungary 10-16 Spain
Group B
Montenegro 11-17 Italy
Greece 17-10 Croatia
Group C
Malta 8-11 Georgia
Netherlands 19-13 Moldova
Group D
Germany 27-6 Poland
Day 1 Division One
Group Stage – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Monday 7 July 2025
Group A
Bulgaria 15-9 Slovakia
France 17-11 Portugal
Slovenia 14-12 Cyprus
Group B
Czechia 9-21 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Ukraine 41-4 Latvia
Switzerland 11-9 Lithuania
After all the recent drama of the women’s U16 European Water Polo Championships in Istanbul, the spotlight has now turned to the men, as the Elite teams entered the same impressive arena to do battle on Monday.
The first big clash of the day saw Hungary take on Spain, and the Magyars had the upper-hand early on, taking a two-goal lead twice in the first half and they led 7-6 at the turnaround.
Spain equalised within a minute of the restart, and the momentum started to swing their way. After taking the lead with 5:17 on the clock, they were never behind again and it was now Hungary’s turn to chase the game.
They managed to level twice in the third at 8-8 and 9-9, but the game was slipping away from them, and after 10-11, Spain finished with an unstoppable 0-5 surge that secured the three points in style.
Italy also came from behind to sink Montenegro. Despite taking a 0-2 advantage, Montenegro hit back and were 6-4 ahead at the beginning of the second. The scores were then locked at 8-8 three minutes into the third, but a 0-3 rush put the Italians in charge at the last break.
Montenegro struck twice at the start of the fourth to make it 10-11, but Italy found another gear and a stunning 0-4 rush put them out of sight with 3:08 remaining.
Greece started strongly against Croatia as they went 8-4 up after an outstanding first half, and that trend continued in the second as they ran out comfortable 17-10 winners.
In the day’s final game, Türkiye caused Serbia plenty of headaches, as the hosts nearly pulled off a remarkable result. The Serbs were never behind, but they could never shake off their determined opponents, who levelled the scores at 8-8 late in the third.
Two further Serbian goals still failed to disrupt Türkiye’s belief, as they fought back to within one goal twice in the fourth. Goalkeeper Ayhan Burak Aydemir was also having the game of his life, making several stunning saves to keep his side in contention.
Serbia were forced to desperately kill time in their final possession, leaving Türkiye only four seconds to find an equaliser, but their shot from their own half was easily blocked, much to the relief of the Serbian players and coaches.
Earlier, Georgia produced a 0-4 third quarter to help them down Malta, Netherlands dominated the second half 11-5 to sink Moldova, and Germany demolished Poland 24-3 in the last three quarters after a cagey 3-3 start.
Elsewhere, in Ljubljana, the Division One action saw opening-day victories for Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, France, Ukraine, Switzerland and Slovenia.
Ukraine showed no mercy to Latvia, as they took a 19-3 first-half lead and added 22 more goals in the second. Ivan Komchadalov and Danylo Benyakh had a particularly fruitful afternoon, netting seven apiece.
The two closest contests were between Switzerland and Lithuania, and Slovenia and Cyprus, as each game was won by only two goals, but both Switzerland and Slovenia were firmly in charge in the closing stages.
Slovenia led Cyprus 14-10 with only a minute remaining, while Switzerland were 11-7 up with just 1:40 on the clock.
–
Watch all the action live from Istanbul and Ljubljana for free on the European Aquatics TV channel, which can be found by clicking here.
For the full results/tables and schedule from Istanbul, click here.
For the full results/tables and schedule from Ljubljana, click here.
Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
