A last-gasp equaliser and a shootout win sent hosts Portugal into the crossovers, alongside Neutral Athletes B, who demolished Malta on Day 2 of the Women’s U20 European Water Polo Championships in Oeiras. In the top division, Hungary secured top spot in Group B with another 12-goal victory, this time over Croatia, while Spain were pushed hard by Greece before eventually pulling away late in the fourth quarter.

2026 Women’s U20 European Water Polo Championships
Oeiras, Portugal

Day 2 – Results
Sunday 2 August

Group A

Israel 12-17 Italy (1-4, 1-2, 5-5, 5-6)
Spain 17-13 Greece (3-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-2)

Group B

France 6-28 Netherlands (0-5, 2-6, 2-8, 2-9)
Hungary 19-7 Croatia (4-2, 3-3, 6-1, 6-1)

Group C

Neutral Athletes B 32-7 Malta (9-0, 6-2, 6-2, 11-3)

Group D

Portugal *12-10 Romania (1-5, 3-0, 2-1, 2-2, 4-2P*)

Group E

Ireland 9-12 Czechia (2-3, 2-3, 1-3, 4-3)

Group F

Switzerland 5-17 Serbia (1-3, 2-3, 2-5, 0-6)

The Netherlands recovered impressively from their heavy opening-day defeat to Hungary by sweeping aside France in commanding fashion. A 5-0 opening burst showed they were up to the task and they never looked back.

Hungary claimed another 12-goal winning margin, with Croatia the latest victims of their relentless display.

Late in the second period, the Croatians briefly halted the Magyars’ march by scoring three unanswered goals, but three-time Olympic champion Peter Biros restored order to his side and the favourites responded with a devastating 7-0 run after 8-6 to put the contest beyond doubt.

In Group A, Italy built a 6-2 lead by half-time against the resilient Israelis. They looked set to cruise to victory when they moved six clear at 9-3, but their opponents refused to surrender and cut the deficit to 12-10 early in the fourth quarter.

They could never get any closer, though, as the Italians stepped up again and restored a comfortable cushion in the closing minutes.

The clash of the day saw title-holders Spain and 2024 bronze medallists Greece go head-to-head, with the early exchanges living up to all expectations.

It was a thunderous, end-to-end opening, with both teams finding joy in attack as the lead changed hands three times during the opening 16 minutes.

Spain built a two-goal advantage twice (6-4 and 7-5), but they were pegged back on each occasion by the Greeks, leaving the scores locked at 7-7 at the turnaround.

In the third period, Spain continued to set the pace and Greece gave everything to keep up, but their efforts eventually began to take their toll.

The reigning champions repeatedly edged two goals clear (10-8, 11-9 and 12-10), though the lead was back to one (12-11) heading into the final eight minutes.

Greece were holding on, but in the fourth the Spaniards sensed blood and opened up a three-goal advantage for the first time (15-12) with 1:56 on the clock.

Androniki Karagianni struck back, but that was all the Greeks could manage, as Martina Claveria and Lucia Rodriguez rifled in late goals to secure the victory.

Earlier, Neutral Athletes B trounced Malta, netting a single-match record 32 goals in the opening match of Day 2. The victory saw them finish top of the group and book their place in the crossovers.

Later in the afternoon, Portugal joined them, but only after a true thriller. Romania raced into a 5-1 lead inside eight minutes while the hosts looked out of sorts.

However, they bounced back in the second period and Ana Monteiro’s hat-trick goal, 13 seconds from the buzzer, cut the gap to one (5-4) as the Romania attack froze completely.

Leonor Gusmao’s fine centre shot levelled the score just 32 seconds into the third period.

A penalty ended Romania’s scoreless run after eight and a half minutes, but Joana Arromba’s 6m shot made it 6-6.

The hosts forced three six-on-fives before the final break, but failed to convert any, then squandered two more early in the fourth.

With 3:12 remaining, another converted penalty put Romania back in front, but Susana Lopes responded immediately from the centre to make it 7-7.

Denisa-Ana-Maria Samuel restored Romania’s lead at 8-7 on the next possession, while Portugal missed another extra.

The clock was ticking down when the hosts launched one final attack after a time-out and, amid dramatic scenes, Rita Martins’ long-range shot found the net just before the clock expired.

With a likely Romanian win over Ukraine on Day 3 in prospect, the shootout looked set to decide top spot in the group.

Romania failed to score in the first and third round, which eased the pressure on the hosts, who, buoyed by their dramatic escape, converted all four of their attempts to seal the victory and a place in the crossovers.

In the other two groups, the favourites also recorded convincing wins.

Czechia defeated Ireland 12-9, while Serbia overpowered Switzerland 17-5, setting up decisive clashes for first place in their respective groups.

Czechia will face Great Britain on Monday, while Serbia meet Türkiye.

Watch all the action live from Oeiras, Portugal, on European Aquatics TV

For the full schedule/results/standings for the European Aquatics U20 Women’s Water Polo Championships, click here

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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics