Montenegro will play United States of America while Spain will clash with Croatia in the medal semifinals on Friday. Three of the quarterfinal battles were decided by three goals or less.
Overview
In the all-important medal quarterfinals, Montenegro held off lower qualifier Greece 10-8, Spain dumped Serbia 16-10, Croatia pipped Italy 12-11 and United States of America won with the same score over outgoing champion Hungary.
In the classification round 13-20, Groups G and H were decided in favour of Australia and Brazil.
In Group G, Australia spanked Singapore 39-2, and Singapore trounced Argentina 18-7. In Group H, Brazil downed South Africa 26-15 and Colombia bested Portugal 14-11. These results set up the classification matches with Australia and Brazil to play for 13th; Singapore to face Colombia for 15th; Argentina will meet South Africa for 17th and Hong Kong will front Portugal for 19th position.
Match Reports
Match 43. 1-8 Quarterfinal, MONTENEGRO 10 GREECE 8 (4-1, 2-3, 2-3, 2-1)
Montenegro did it with accuracy, robust man-down defence and gutsy determination, plus exploiting some sloppy Greek defence. Greece’s high-flying run of huge scores came to an abrupt halt as Montenegro went about its business with style and fortitude. Winning the first quarter 4-1 and pushing it out to 5-1 until the last three minutes of the second quarter was where this match was won. Stefan Vranes and Andrej Durutovic on penalty began the scoring with Evangelos Lampatos off the right-post position. Durutovic, Danilo Roganovic and Luka Todorovic all scored on extra-man attack for 5-1. Dimitrios Chatzis, one of the highest scorers here, had his penalty attempt thwarted midway through the second period when Montenegro captain Marko Pejovic, named player of the match, tipped the ball into the crossbar. (Captain Chatzis took 11 shots for no reward). However, this erupted Greece into action with Konstantinos Bitsakos on counter, Ilias Angelopoulos and Kosmas Patsilinakos both from centre forward, scoring goals. Roganovic put a stop to the run, converting extra with four seconds remaining in the half from wide left on extra.
Vranes also opened the second half, from a six-metre shot, regaining the three-goal margin. Angelopoulos converted a penalty foul and Stavros Zouzounis scored on extra from deep right. Roganovic and Patsilinakos swapped goals for 8-7 at the final break. Greece was still in the hunt. It was draining on the teams’ energy in the final eight minutes as the first goal only came at 3:47 through Marko Milinic from the top. Greece went to a timeout to no avail and Vranes converted a penalty for 10-7 at 1:33, the nail in the coffin for Greece. Zouzounis scored a consolation goal at 1:07 from deep right for 10-8.
Match Heroes
Vranes and Roganovic with three goals each for Montenegro. The real hero was captain-goalkeeper Marko Pejovic with a magnificent 13 saves. The tournament’s highest scorer in Angelopoulos was restricted to four shots for two goals. Patsilinakos and Zouzounis also scored twice for Greece
Turning Point
The 5-1 lead proved too much for Greece to bridge.
Stats Don’t Lie
Montenegro converted four from nine on extra and stopped a damaging eight from nine. It scored both penalty attempts and Greece one; Greece won the steals 14 to eight and the shots 33-24.
Match 44. 1-8 Quarterfinal, SPAIN 16 SERBIA 10 (5-1, 4-3, 5-3, 2-3)
Spain had the better of Serbia and advances to at least one better position than fifth in 2024. Spain has yet to win gold, so the chances have improved incredibly. For Serbia, it will be a drop from second last time and no chance to add to its two silvers and one bronze. Spain had the drop on Serbia and started strongly, easing to 5-1 at the quarter and 8-1 before Serbia shot back into the match. Javier Sanchez-Toril scored twice in quick succession for Spain, both on extra to bring up the 5-1 margin. He struck again for the eighth goal and Mauro Millan netted twice in the rumble. Nikola Pavlovic scored his second goal as Serbia lifted from its lethargy. Two more extra-man goals gave life to the Serbian campaign and Millan replied with a six-metre shot for 9-4 before the turn.
Daniel Merida scored on extra from deep right for the first goal of the second half with two Serbian strikes closing to 10-6. A trade made it 11-6 and a second trade brought it to 12-7 with Millan netting his fourth. He scored again on extra from top right and Marc Comabella netted his second on counter for 14-7 by the final break. Comabella was in a trade at the top of the final period with Pol Suarez converting extra for 16-8. Milan Zelic fired in the last two goals for Serbia — on penalty and top left for 16-10. Millan had a penalty attempt saved at 1:43.
Match Heroes
Millan scored five, Sanchez-Toril and Comabella three each for Spain and the goalkeepers combined for 11 saves. For Serbia, Zelic landed three goals and the goalkeepers were staunch with captain Mihailo Gosic stopping 10 and Mateja Kosanovic seven.
Turning Point
Leading at 8-1 makes a team unstoppable.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain converted eight of 14 on extra and defended a spectacular 12 of 16. Spain missed its one penalty chance and Serbia missed one of two. Serbia took the steals 10-four and Spain the shots at 38-33.
Match 45. 1-8 Quarterfinal, CROATIA 12 ITALY 11 (2-2, 3-2, 3-5, 4-2)
This was a match where the cards were flying from the referees as the match tensed in the final two periods. The Italian assistant coach received a red card, as did three of her players and one from Croatia. Both coaches were awarded yellow cards and both teams received a yellow earlier in the match. It was all on for a semifinal berth. Croatia had two players not make the finish of the match while Italy lost six players — three to red cards. Italy was making the pace in the first quarter with Croatia responding. Dario Polizzi opened the second quarter for 3-2, slapping in a rebound. Duje Burazin scored twice on extra to give Croatia the ascendancy. Antonio Chianese scored from the top left to level only for Petar Erenda to advance Croatia’s cause on extra for the halftime score.
Nardo Skejic took it to 6-4 on extra with Pasquale Porzio from deep left on extra and Francesco Maffei at centre forward levelling at six. Nardo Dragas gained his second on extra and Italy won a challenge for a penalty foul, scoring through Francesco Corelli for his second. Maffei required VAR to confirm his shot off the right post crossed the line to bring Italy to the front. Dragas responded and was caught in a melee with Porzio. It looked like Dragas may have been sent for any early shower but it was Porzio who was red-carded for misconduct. Giorgio Marangolo, who started all scoring, converted a penalty foul to close the third period at 9-8 to Italy.
Italian head coach Federico Mistrangelo received a yellow card. Ivano Loncar stood up at the top left to open the final quarter for 9-9. Pedro Puleo replied on counter and Croatian head coach Hrovje Koljanin gained his yellow. Croatia called a timeout and Matej Soric converted extra off the left-post position. Mihael Mladineo scored from centre forward and Croatia had an 11-10 lead. Italian assistant coach Daniele Cianfriglio saw red and left the pool deck. While the teams came back from an Italian timeout, Croatia’s Dominik Beljan and Italy’s Polizzi were tumbled with red cards for over-zealous tussling. Chianese converted extra from the top for 11-11 at 2:43. Croatia called a timeout and Burazin obliged from deep left unguarded. Italy went to a timeout but Corelli’s shot sprayed left and Croatia was into the semifinals.
Match Heroes
Burazin and Dragas with three goals each for Croatia. Corelli, Maffei, Marangolo and Chianese scored twice each for Italy. Goalkeeper Federico Giovannini made 11 saves.
Turning Point
Croatia surviving the card blitz in the fourth quarter and Burazin’s extra-man conversion in the final minute.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia converted 10 from 17 on extra and stopped eight from 12. Italy scored both penalty goals. Croatia stole the ball seven to four and took the shots at 37-34.
Match 46. 1-8 Quarterfinal, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 12 HUNGARY 11 (1-4, 4-1, 4-1, 3-5)
United States of America stunned Hungary into submission and it relinquishes it 14-year control of the dais. Hungary has always been on the dais, collecting three golds, one silver and two bronzes. This year, the team will go home without a medal. USA has never been in the semifinals with a best finish seventh last time out. That all changes when it clashes with Montenegro in the semifinals on Friday. Hungary showed its intent with the first three goals and it was not until 0:30 that Wyatt Williamson broke through for USA when he was found free on the right-post position. Milan Moldisz converted extra from deep right to close the quarter with three seconds remaining. Zeteny Kondor drilled from the top left and Hungary was 5-1 at the start of the second quarter. Then the tide changed as USA fired in eight unanswered goals, unprecedented against the Hungarians and probably so at quarterfinal level anywhere. Three different players scored and Jett Taylor added a second to his tally for the match leveller at 5-5 by halftime.
The blood-letting continued in the third period as captain Kai Kaneko scored at centre forward and from penalty, followed by Taylor’s third from top right for an incredible 8-5 advantage. Both teams took a timeout with USA’s effort gaining a goal through Kaneko on extra from top right. Csaba Jombar broke the Hungarian drought of nearly 15 minutes on extra, 19 seconds from the final break for 9-6, still in with a chance. Jackson Shaw rattled in a shot from the top to start the final quarter for USA and gain a valuable four-goal differential. Zeteny Hidasi scored his second and Noah Pinter, both from the deep left, narrowing the margin to two. Kaneko scored on penalty and team-mate Aden Shin was ejected on a red card for misconduct. Hidasi made it 11-9 and first-goal scorer Dejan Divjak sent in a six-metre goal for 11-10 at 2:23. The Hungarian dream was still alive. However, at 1:58, a shot from deep right rebounded high and Kaneko climbed the ladder to swat down the goal from the right-post position for 12-10. Levente Stogicza scored off a cross pass to his left arm at centre forward to bring the match to one at 0:47. USA lost the ball on attack and Hungary called a timeout at 0:17. An outside shot was blocked and the second shot bounced into the crossbar to extinguish Hungary’s hopes.
Match Heroes
Kaneko grabbed five goals and Taylor three for USA. Hidasi was best for Hungary with three goals.
Turning Point
Those incredible eight goals by USA to come back from 5-1 down. Those goals pierced Hungary’s heart.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA may have only scored three from seven on extra but stopped nine of 15, possibly where the match was won. USA converted both penalty attempts, lost the steals three to nine and the shots 29 to 35. Its accuracy on shooting at 41 per cent to 31, proved a vital difference.
Match 39. Group G, SINGAPORE 18 ARGENTINA 7 (3-2, 2-0, 8-2, 5-3)
Singapore had a strong showing against Australia on day five before losing 22-10 while Argentina lost 29-3 on day four. This was a good indicator as to what would happen today. Singapore opened the scoring at 7:45 through Yong Chow with a lob shot from the left-hand-catch position. It promised to be another scoring spree, like most of the matches to date. Lucas Picatto at centre forward and Facundo Chelini from deep right gave Argentina the lead by 6:06. Matthias Goh scored off the left-post position from a cross pass, to level the match. He had a penalty attempt hit the left upright at 1:17 after a long period of no goals. At 0:38, he finished a counter to give Singapore back the lead at 3-2. Singapore kept Argentina scoreless — something it has not experienced in Rio Maior — in the second quarter while Justin Saik at centre forward off a cross pass and Jaylen Yeo finding himself free on the left -post position on extra took the score to 5-2 by halftime. The goals came at 2:41 and 0:29, showing the length of time between goals.
Matthias Goh started the third period on counter at 6:10, followed by Picatto with his second from a snap shot off a quick pass to the left-post position. Gabriel Low converted extra and Saik did the same after a timeout, receiving the ball from the goalkeeper and shooting immediately for 10-3. Saik drove up, received the ball and lost it to the goalkeeper and instantly retook it to score. Matthias Goh received a cross pass on extra for his fifth goal. Goals were traded to close the period at 13-4. Low opened the fourth period on penalty with Ryan Chua countering for 15-4 inside the first minute. Goals were traded three times showing Argentina’s willingness when the chips were down with a host of players from both sides getting in on the scoring. It was Singapore’s second victory after downing Colombia 16-15 on day three and sees it finish second in the group. Argentina’s sole win was the 24-6 margin over Hong Kong China on day five.
Match Heroes
Matthias Goh with five goals and Saik scoring three for Singapore. Picatto notched two for Argentina. Singapore had eight scorers and Argentina six.
Turning Point
Singapore coming from 2-1 down to 6-2 ahead, keeping Argentina scoreless for more than 16 minutes.
Stats Don’t Lie
Singapore converted five from eight on extra to Argentina’s three from four. Singapore converted two from three on penalty, made 18 steals to 13 and shot 32 times to 17.
Match 40. Group G, AUSTRALIA 39 HONG KONG CHINA 2 (9-1, 12-0, 9-1, 9-0)
This match had the potential to be a huge blow out considering Australia’s “unusual” participation in this lower group. Australia was in the “group of death” alongside Greece — potentially the top two teams in the lower half of the draw facing in the same quarter Greece has gone on and has sights on a medal if it gets past today’s quarterfinals. Considering this age group will probably fill many teams at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia, it has more merit. For Australia, this could be the team to host the Olympics. Australia had two goals well inside the first minute and slowly built to 6-0 by 2:19 before Tsang Hoi scored on penalty for Hong Kong. Australia scored another three by quarter time for 9-1. It included seven goals on counter, whether on extra or not. Six different Aussies made the sheet with Toby Gould, Cooper Semmens and Jake Taboni netting twice. Ashton Brown scored twice in the first minute of the second quarter, a second faster than the first two in the first. The second was on counter after having his defender ejected. Captain Lachlan Davies (counter); Jett Semmens (penalty); Gould and Jett Semmens at centre forward; Taboni, Sam Regan, Savo Todic, Taboni and Callum Pugh on counter finished the half at 21-1.
The first two goals came in 35 seconds for Australia, starting the second half and a third soon after in extra for 24-1. Two more came before Hong Kong struck for a second time through Chan Leong on extra after a timeout. Pugh and Lazarus scored on counter and Brown finished the quarter on penalty for 30-2. Taboni scored twice in the final quarter as the Aussies went on counter at will, scoring 27 at my count, seven more than the official number. Hong Kong had six shots stopped and two find the net. Hong Kong suffered by the quirk of the draw, not expecting to face such a high-ranking team this late in the competition. Australia has a rest day and will face Brazil, the winner of Group H, for 13th position — unknown territory for the Aussies at this level.
Match Heroes
Taboni was best in scoring with seven for the Aussies, followed by Pugh on six, Cooper Semmens with six (for 26 all week), Gould on five and Brown and Lazarus with three apiece. Jake Cox, who played in goal and made four saves, also scored a penalty goal in the last score of the match — a rarity. Only lead goalkeeper Alex Woolfe did not score of the 14 Aussies.
Turning Point
The opening whistle. Hong Kong was on the backfoot throughout.
Stats Don’t Lie
Australia buried seven from eight on extra and Hong Kong one from three. Australia scored both penalty attempts to one; won the steals 20 to five and the shots 38 to 15. Australia’s scoring percentage was a huge 78 per cent.
Match 42. Group H, SOUTH AFRICA 15 BRAZIL 26 (5-5, 2-3, 8-4, 4-10)
Brazil earned a shot at 13th place against Australia. Both teams won their groups by healthy margins. Brazil opened the scoring and allowed South Africa to take a 3-1 advantage to 4-3 before levelling at four and five. Only Danilo Martins was a double scorer in the quarter. Marcelo Winter’s 4-3 score for Brazil was the only score on counter while David Latilla (RSA) and Jose Fernandes (BRA) scored from in front of goal. Fernandes from five metres out and Winter on counter gave Brazil a handsome 7-5 advantage. Goals were traded and Timothy Young converted a penalty foul to bring South Africa to within one at 8-7 down by the halftime buzzer.
The pendulum kept swinging away from South Africa as Brazil settled into a rhythm with traded goals until 11-10. From there Brazil shut up shop and went on full attack, scoring five unanswered goals with Martins scoring three and Fernandes two for 16-10. South Africa took a timeout with 11 seconds remaining and back in the water, Young sat up at the top and rocketed in a shot, beating the buzzer — five and a minutes since his and his team’s last goal. Brazil led16-11 at the last break. Brazil rained in the first four goals of the last period, two from deep left and the other two on counter. Joao Horst gained his third; Martins gained his sixth; Winter his fourth and Ricardo Duarte for his second. Goals were traded and Taylor Seiler netted his second on extra for 21-13 at 3:21. Young converted another penalty foul after a coach challenge then Fernandes with his fifth and Niklas Cappellano with his second of the period edged out to 23-14. Penalty goals were swapped before Martins clinched his seventh goal from deep left on extra at 0:39. He scored from the same position off a rebound with a second left for 26-15 for eight goals.
Match Heroes
Martins with his eight goals, followed by Fernandes with five, Winter on four and Horst with three. Young scored four goals for South Africa. Both teams had eight different scorers.
Turning Point
From 11-10 to 16-10 in the third period was where Brazil made its break.
Stats Don’t Lie
Brazil scored an incredible 12 from 19 on extra and shut out three from six; scored one penalty goal to four; won the steals 12 to seven and the overall shots 41-31.
Match 42. Group H, COLOMBIA 14 PORTUGAL 11 (2-2, 5-4, 6-2, 1-3)
Colombia secured its first win in Rio Maior and did it in style, going some way to make up for the agonising one-goal defeat to Singapore on day three. Colombia was 20th two years ago, so this is a boost up. Portugal is a newcomer to this level. Goals were swapped as Colombia led the way, finishing 2-2 at the quarter break. Lucas Levy scored his second to start the second period, on extra, with Marcus Gomez striking twice. Jose Jordao shot off a six-metre foul and Sebastian Zapata replied. Miguel Santos went on counter and shot from six metres for 6-5 in arrears. Marcus Gomez lifted on extra and soon after team-mate Maximiliano Serna was red-carded for misconduct. Rafael Monteiro, who scored Portugal’s first goal, went on counter for 7-6 by halftime.
Juan Gomez and two Nicolas Vasquez goals, the first of penalty, were followed by Marcus Gomez adding to his tally for 11-6. Rowan Kane responded on extra and Levy banged in two more with the second on counter. Santos closed the period at 13-8 from an extra-man play. Santos and Marcus Gomez traded goals in the fourth with Jordao smashing in the last two goals with the penalty goal coming at 0:11 for 14-11.
Match Heroes
Captain Marcus Gomez top-scored with five for Colombia and Levy netted four. Juan Areiza took in 12 saves from goal. Santos claimed four and Jordao three for Portugal. Tiago Moreira made eight saves in his 20 minutes in goal.
Turning Point
Colombia racing from 7-6 at halftime to 13-6 a minute from the final break.
Stats Don’t Lie
Colombia scored four from 11 on extra and Portugal four from 10. Colombia made both penalty attempts and Portugal one. Portugal won the steals seven-four but Colombia shot 39-36.
Final Points
Group G: Australia 9, Singapore 6, Argentina 3, Hong Kong 0.
Group H: Brazil 9, Colombia 6, South Africa 3, Portugal 0.
Day 7 Schedule
Classification 19-20
09:00, Hong Kong Singapore v Portugal
Classification 17-18
10:30, Argentina v South Africa
Classification 9-12 Semifinals
12:00, New Zealand v China
13:30, Canada v Turkey
Classification 5-8 Semifinals
15:00, Greece v Hungary
16:30, Serbia v Italy
Classification 1-4 Semifinals
18:00, Montenegro v United States of America
19:30, Spain v Croatia