Overview

In the classification 1-8 semifinals, Spain edged Georgia 3-0; Serbia needed a fourth set to displace Bulgaria 3-1; Russia beat Montenegro 3-0 and host nation Croatia remains unbeaten after a 3-2 penalty-shootout victory over United States of America.

In the classification 9-16 quarterfinals, Hong Kong China I beat Mongolia 3-0 with one player scoring all 33 Hong Kong goals. Malta defeated Saudi Arabia 3-0; Japan bumped off Hong Kong China II 3-0 and Australia downed Lithuania 3-1 after winning the second set on golden goal.

Match Reports

Classification 1-8 Quarterfinals

Match 37, GEORGIA 0 SPAIN 3 (4-5, 2-5, 4-5)

Spain was pressured in two sets and was lucky to come home a 3-0 winner to earn a semifinal berth. Georgia had control of the first set, shooting out to 2-1 by 2:26 thanks to a Davit Chkheidze extra goal. Giorgi Meshki enhanced the score on a double shot at 1:43. Edgar Estevez pulled one back at 1:23 and another at 0:50. With 19 seconds remaining, Spain gained a bonus penalty shot, which Max Casabella converted for 4-4. With three seconds left in the set, Oscar Asensio made it 5-4 to Spain. Casabella scored two of the first three goals in the second set and Roberto Valera countered for 4-0. Saba Matchavariani took a five-metre shot at 0:48; Oscar Blasco responded from the hole and Matchavariani converted extra for 5-2 down eight seconds from time. Goals were swapped early in the third set and again inside the three-minute mark. Chkheidze took a five-metre shot at 2:09 and Aleix Herrero scored his second goal on extra to equalise. Casabella converted a penalty foul at 1:18. Chkheidze breathed life into Georgia’s game with the leveller a second from the buzzer, forcing golden goal. Spain missed an extra-man chance; Meshki missed his five-metre attempt and Spain earned a penalty foul, which Casabella converted for the 5-4 set win and 3-0 ultimate victory.

Match Heroes
Casabella netted five goals and Estevez three. Goalkeeper Didac Garcia made nine saves. Chkheidze claimed a hat-trick and goalkeeper Beka Kapanadze dragged down eight balls.

Stats Don’t Lie
Spain converted two from four on extra and Georgia two from three. Spain fired in two penalty goals and trailed the shooting at 26-24.

Match 38, BULGARIA 1 SERBIA 3 (1-5, 4-3, 2-4, 2-6)

Serbia was pushed to a fourth set before earning a semifinal berth. Serbia was three up before Bulgaria scored through Veselin Ganchev on counter. Filip Coric grabbed the fourth Serbian goal, on extra. Goals were traded and Aleksandar Kovacevic finished the scoring at 0:33 for a 5-1 set. Aleksandar Velkov opened for Bulgaria in the second set with Ganchev backing him up at 2:55. Coric and Aleksa Petrovski levelled by 1:49. Ganchev and Georgi Pangovski separated the teams at 4-2 with Coric responding with the bonus penalty goal at 0:31. It was the last score and the sets were even. Kovacevic and Velkov traded at the start of the third set. Kovacevic off a five-metre shot and Coric from the field at 0:06, gave Serbia a 4-2 set win. In the fourth, Serbia eased out to 3-0, 4-1 and 4-2 as Ganchev kept pace on extra. Two quick goals had Serbia in the box seat for the 6-2 and 3-1 winning margin.

Match Heroes
Coric topped the scoring with five goals, Kovacevic gained four and Stanic three. Radosav Virijevic made 11 saves for Serbia. Ganchev scored four and Velkov three for Bulgaria. 

Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia converted four from five on extra and Bulgaria two from three. Serbia missed one of two on penalty and Georgia missed one. Serbia had the edge on shots at 33-32.

Match 39, MONTENEGRO 0 RUSSIA 3 (5-6, 1-8, 1-5)

Russia cruised into the semifinals with a straight-sets victory over Montenegro. Goals were swapped twice before Montenegro retook the lead on penalty to Danilo Radovic for his second strike. Miljan Boskovic lifted the score to 4-2 on penalty. However, Stepan Barabushka and Konstantin Sheikin levelled at 2:04, with the latter from a five-metre shot. Roman Shepelev converted extra and then from a five-metre shot for 6-4 by 0:35. Radovic scored the bonus penalty shot and had another shot saved, leaving Russia with the 6-5 set win. The second set was in complete contrast to the first with the match level at one at 2:59 and then quickly spiralling out of control for Montenegro as Russia shot to 4-1 and goalkeeper Petr Fedotov gave a masterclass in long shots, scoring twice for double goals and 8-1. Shepelev and Boskovic traded in the third set with Sheikin and Shepelev moving the score along to 3-1.Ivan Vasilev on extra and Roman Usov on action shifted it to 5-1 at 1:33, the last scoring, leaving Russia comfortable victory.

Match Heroes
Shepelev finished with five goals, Usov four and Sheikin three. Fedotov made nine saves from goal for Russia. Radovic and Boskovic scored a triple each for Montenegro. 

Stats Don’t Lie
Russia netted a perfect six goals on extra and stopped two. Montenegro converted three from five on penalty and won the shots statistic at 28-27.

Match 40, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2 CROATIA 3 in penalty shootout. (2-4, 2-1, 2-4, 6-5. Pens: 1-3)

Croatia remains without fault and kept the tournament alive for the local crowd, but not without a scare in a close encounter, going to a penalty shootout. USA started the scoring and Croatia was soon 2-1 ahead. Carson Kranz equalised for USA with Ivan Vukojevic scoring off a five-metre shot. He netted again just inside the final minute to secure the first set 4-2. Roko Pelicaric scored the first of the second set at 2:46 off a five-metre shot. USA took a timeout with six seconds remaining. A few passes found JP Ohl on the deep right to score. As the goalkeeper tried to clear the ball, Kranz was in his face and slapped the ball the few centimetres into goal ahead of the buzzer for an improbable 2-1 success. Croatia was stunned after that set and ripped in the first three of the third set. Marko Vavic replied on penalty and Nardo Dragas made it 4-1 on counter. Marko Vavic converted extra at 1:04 to complete the period 4-2 in Croatia’s favour. Stefan Vavic converted two extra plays to begin the fourth set. Goals were traded and Dragas made it 3-2 on extra at 1:45. Ivan Vukojevic levelled at 1:19 with Marko Vavic pushing the envelope on action at 1:03. Pelicaric countered at 0:41 and at 0:24, Ivan Vukojevic from the top, gave Croatia the edge. However, Marko Vavic scored on penalty and with only a second on the clock Stefan Vavic scored from the bottom left to force penalties. In the shootout, Stefan Vavic had his shot saved by Antonio Vukojevic and his brother, Ivan Vukojevic, sent in Croatia’s third goal to win the shootout 3-1 and the match 3-2.

Match Heroes
Ivan Vukojevic netted six and Pelicaric five for Croatia while Marko Vavic sent in five and Stefan Vavic three for USA. 

Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia buried three from five on extra and USA five from nine. USA scored two from three on penalty and took the shots at 38-35. Thus, USA was on top of all the stats and still lost.

Classification 9-16 Quarterfinals

Match 33, HONG KONG CHINA I 3 MONGOLIA 0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-6)

What an unusual match and an unusual way to play against a minnow team. Hong Kong elected to leave one person free at the top and he scored all 33 of his team’s goals — unheard of and probably some kind of world record. What it meant is that Mongolia had the overlap at the other end and managed to score 12 goals, much more than what it combined in the previous three days — five goals. Mongolia gained more from this match than Hong Kong. And yes, Hei Man Cheng was fallible, having shots stopped five times and three others missed.

Match Heroes
Hei Man Cheng scored a staggering 33 goals for the Hong Kong team. Ulziituguidur Chuluunbaatar scored five goals and Dulguunuu Ganzorig netted four for Mongolia.

Stats Don’t Lie
Hong Kong scored two penalty goals and shot 41-22 while Mongolia missed one on extra.

Match 34, MALTA 3 SAUDI ARABIA 0 (9-2, 5-0, 7-1)

Malta was not overworked against Saudi Arabia and has been impressive in Dubrovnik, probably rising further in the rankings after Saturday’s semifinals. Following a powerful, status-making first set, Malta took its foot off the accelerator as Saudi Arabia came back with some stiff opposition, making Malta work for every goal. It took three minutes for Malta to get to 3-0. Stevie Camilleri scored the third and fourth goals with Liam Galea bringing up the fifth at 0:26 on action. In the third set, Camilleri scored the fourth and fifth goals and goalkeeper Jake Tanti fired in a long shot, two seconds from the final buzzer for a double goal and 7-1 for a 3-0 victory.

Match Heroes
Camilleri notched six goals with Alec Fenech on four and Russell Caruana on three. Tanti stopped eight balls in goal.

Stats Don’t Lie
Malta scored both extra chances and Saudi Arabia made three from four. On penalties, Malta missed two of three and Saudi Arabia both its chances. Malta shot 37 to 17.

Match 35, JAPAN 3 HONG KONG CHINA II  0  (5-3, 6-2, 7-6)

Japan collected a second win, pushing aside the Two team after previously falling to the Ones. It came about with a solid opening set and stretching the margin slightly in the second before requiring golden goal in the third set for the 3-0 win. Captain Atsushi Arai, an experienced senior international, began the scoring with Shotaro Yamada netting the second on extra and the fourth with a five -metre shot. Arai countered for the fourth and Shota Inoue buried the fifth at 0:59. Meanwhile, Hong Kong was busy with goals at 2-1, 3-2 and 5-3. Cheuk Hei Cheung scored the first and third for Hong Kong. In the second set, Cheung took Hong Kong 2-1 ahead with Yamada gathering the second and fourth goals. Yuya Nakayama on penalty and Arai on extra, had the set sewn up at 6-2 by 0:11. In the third set, Cheung started on penalty and Yamada responded on extra. Goals were traded before Yamada and Leong Chan swapped for 3-3. Tsz Lee gave Hong Kong the advantage and Nakayama brought it even at 2:21. Jason Ho once again gave the ascendancy to Hong Kong on extra at 1:18. Yamada levelled on the bonus penalty goal and at 0:28 he took his team ahead only for Cheung to score on the bonus penalty strike for 6-6 at 0:10. Both teams had brilliant shot sstopped before the final buzzer. It needed golden goal for Yamada to convert extra from the top after Hong Kong won the ball but failed to shoot. Japan gained an extra play and Yamada made good for 7-6 and a 3-0 victory.

Match Heroes
Yamada smashed home eight goals for Japan and Arai five. For Hong Kong, Cheung nailed five and Ho two.

Stats Don’t Lie
Japan scored a creditable eight from nine on extra and Hong Kong three from four. Both teams scored a penalty goal and Japan’s shooting was won from 23 shots to 21.

Match 36, AUSTRALIA 3 LITHUANIA 1 (4-3, 5-4, 2-4,5-1)

Australia scored its second victory with a standout performance against a determined and equally strong Lithuania, which was also trying for a second victory. Lithuania started strongly with its two stars, Jan Bakulo and Aurimas Jonkus, firing in the first two goals before Koby Gilchrist replied from deep left on extra. The Aussies had a fast penalty attempt hit the head of the goalkeeper. Gilchrist equalised on extra from the left wing at 2:25 and at 0:26. Gilchrist slotted another penalty goal. The match wound down to zero and golden goal was required. Lithuania won the ball and lost it so, Mitch Robinson sat up outside the five-metre zone on the left wall and rifled the shot into goal for 4-3 and the first set. Julius Gostautas  began the second set from in front. Soon after, Jonkus appeared to have fired the ball inside his half to score but did not get a double goal. Aussie Joey Gallagher scored a “helicopter” backhand off a five-metre shot for 2-1 down. Bakulo made it 3-1 and Robinson converted a penalty foul for 3-2 behind. Robinson scored another penalty to equalise at 2:43. At 1:47, Robinson speared in another penalty shot on the bonus system. Griffin Woodhouse made it a fourth straight penalty goal for 5-3 at 0:26.

Ernestas Pumputis gained an extra-man goal with seven seconds left, but too late as Australia won the period 5-4 and was two sets ahead. Gilchrist drilled from the top to start the third set. Gividas Zurza made the most of extra, as did Bakulo at 2:21 for the go-ahead goal. Woodhouse struck from the top after extra for the equaliser at 2-2. Zurza drilled from the other side of the harbour for 3-2 at 0:42 when loosely guarded. Bakulo fired a cannon from the top for 4-2 at seven seconds left confirming a fourth set. It was just reward for persistence and a fine performance. Jonkus used his left arm efficiently to open the fourth-period scoring from the right side of the pool. Captain Daniel Kerr levelled at 2:09 from the top. Gallagher converted extra from deep left for the 2-1 lead. Gallagher repeated the dose on extra for 3-1 at 0:45. Lithuania went to the penalty line at 0:31 and Aussie goalie Tian Markart was equal to the task with a splendid save. Lithuania called a timeout at 0:11, had the shot blocked and Woodhouse threw the ball into goal for a two-pointer and a 5-1 final set and a 3-1 victory.

Match Heroes
Robinson and Gilchrist nailed four goals with triples to Gallagher and Woodhouse. Markart made eight saves for the Aussies. Bakulo headed Lithuania with four goals. Jonkus and Zurza scored triples. Skirmantas Motuzas made 11 saves from goal. 

Stats Don’t Lie
Australia converted five from seven and Lithuania three from five on extra. Australia converted four from five on penalty and Lithuania missed one vital attempt. The shots went to Australia 32-31.

Day 5 Schedule

Day 5 Schedule

Classification 13-16 Semifinals
Match 17. 09:50. Mongolia  v Lithuania Bulgaria v
Match 18. 10:40, Saudi Arabia v Hong Kong China 2

Classification 9-12 Semifinals
Match 19. 11:30. Hong Kong China 1 v Australia
Match 20. 12:20. Malta v Japan

Classification 5-8 Semifinals
Match 21. 18:00. United States of America v Montenegro  
Match 22. 16:20. Georgia v Bulgaria

Classification 1-4 Semifinals
Match 23. 19:40. Spain v Serbia
Match 24. 20:30. Croatia v Russia