Spain saved the best for last as they came up with a superb performance in Thursday’s grand final, scoring 19 goals against Greece to cap off their brilliant run in Istanbul at the Women’s U16 European Water Polo Championships. Earlier, Hungary came from behind to down Italy and clinch the bronze.
Women’s U16 European Water Polo Championships
Day 7 Finals – Istanbul, Türkiye
Thursday 3 July 2025
Bronze Medal Game
Hungary 12-11 Italy
Gold Medal Game
Greece 14-19 Spain
5th/6th Final
Türkiye 6-13 Netherlands
7th/8th Final
Germany 13-9 Croatia
13th-15th Play-off
France 18-8 Slovakia
Individual Awards
MVP Ona Jurado Trias (ESP)
Best Goalkeeper Orsolya Horvath (HUN)
Top Scorer Masa Cuk (SRB)
Final Standings
1. Spain
2. Greece
3. Hungary
4. Italy
5. Netherlands
6. Türkiye
7. Germany
8. Croatia
9. Serbia
10. Czechia
11. Romania
12. Ukraine
13. France
14. Slovakia
15. Malta
After having some headaches against Italy in the semis, many expected a tough final between Spain and Greece – especially following the Greeks’ outstanding performance against Hungary in the other semi-final.
However, Spain came, saw and conquered. It was a balanced match for the opening eight minutes, though Spain looked more in control and quickly gained a two-goal lead. The Greeks managed to stay close but were unable to find an equaliser.
Ona Jurado was on fire in the early exchanges, scoring a couple of brilliant action goals, while the Greeks kept up by forcing penalties.
Spain led 4-5 after the first period, then Julia Vilaseca also joined the show and kept on scoring for Spain alongside Jurado. A third converted penalty, by Rafaela Saltamanika, still held the Greeks ‘above water level’ at 6-7, however, the superb Spanish duo sank them in 49 seconds.
Bruna Gomila then added a fantastic goal from the centre for 6-10, putting the Greeks in trouble. A time-out helped, but only temporarily, as Ivet Sulla just beat the buzzer in a six on five for what was a swift reply to Saltamanika’s earlier 6m blast – so Spain led 7-11 at half-time.
And in three minutes, it was all over – at least virtually. After a quick exchange of goals, the Spanish hit two more in a span of 39 seconds for an 8-14 lead. Their quality and composure was so sound that bridging that six-goal gap was a mission impossible for the Greeks.
They could pull two back, netting late in the third and again 50 seconds into the fourth, but Spain hit back with a three-goal storm to make it 10-17 – an astonishing difference in a gold medal match.
The majestic Spaniards stopped at 19 but it seemed they could have gone on playing like this for another hour or so.
It was a brilliant display from the Spanish and another coronation moment for their exceptional youth developlment programme – a second title in two weeks, after their U20 boys claimed the world title in Zagreb.
Earlier, the bronze medal went to Hungary after a real thriller with Italy. The Hungarians had the better start, but the Italians climbed back from time to time. It was an entertaining fight, as the Magyars led 3-1, then Italy hit back with a 3-0 run.
The Hungarians responded with three connecting goals of their own, then the momentum swung back to Italy, as they delivered two great action goals late in the second to level the scores at 6-6.
The fierce battle just intensified in the third. Malika Bovo put Italy ahead, then they missed two six on fives, which proved costly as Hungary forced two penalties and converted them both for 8-7.
Next came Italy, who had been scoreless for almost seven minutes. They netted back-to-back centre-shots, showcasing some brilliant individual skills by Matilde Lombardo and Margherita Minuto to take an 8-9 lead before the last period.
Hungary still had lots left in the tank and started the fourth strongly, with Barbara Fule hitting her fourth from a six on five, then Kinga Alaksza let a 6m rocket fly for 10-9.
The next minute was spectacular, as all four possessions ended in a goal, two apiece, and Anna Svec’s long-range action shot for 12-11, with 2:29 from time, turned out to be the winner, landing the bronze for Hungary.
In the classification games, the Netherlands finished fifth after downing the hosts Türkiye with ease. Germany also did a clean job to clinch 7th place by beating Croatia, and France thrashed Slovakia to take 13th place.
In three days, the action continues in the same pool in Istanbul with the boys’ U16 European Championships.
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Watch all the action live from Istanbul for free on the European Aquatics TV channel, which can be found by clicking here. For the full results/tables and schedule, click here.
Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics
