The final four is set at the World Aquatics Women’s U18 Water Polo Championships in Tenerife, with Australia, the United States, Hungary and hosts Spain all booking their places in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Australia produced the biggest surprise of the quarter-finals, defeating Greece 9-5 after a dominant defensive performance. Bless Daly continued an outstanding individual tournament with six goals, taking her tally to 34 across five matches, while goalkeeper Caroline Healy made 10 saves. Australia led 5-3 at half-time before holding Greece scoreless throughout the third period to establish an 8-3 advantage.
They will face the United States, who overcame the Netherlands 11-8. The Americans steadily took control after a competitive opening period, moving 6-3 ahead by half-time before extending the advantage to 10-4 after three quarters. The Netherlands reduced the deficit late on, but the USA had already done enough to secure a return to the semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of a first U18 world title since 2022.
Hungary maintained their unbeaten record with an impressive 17-9 victory over China. Only one goal separated the teams after the opening quarter, but Hungary then broke the contest open, turning a 4-3 advantage into a commanding lead. Hanga Szalkai scored three times, while Hungary converted eight of their 12 extra-player opportunities and recorded 12 steals.
Their reward is a semi-final against defending champions Spain, who delivered by far the most emphatic quarter-final victory.
Playing in front of the home crowd, Spain swept Canada aside 24-8. Queralt Anton scored twice early as the hosts raced into a 6-1 first-quarter lead, before stretching the margin to 11-3 by half-time. An eight-goal third period put the result beyond doubt. Lidia Lopez finished with five goals, while Anton and Daniela Pajares scored four each and Sara Briceno added three.
Spain and Hungary now meet in the second semi-final, while Australia and the United States contest the first, with Sunday’s World Championship final places on the line.
Semi-finals – Saturday
Australia vs United States — 19:00 CEST
Spain vs Hungary — 20:30 CEST
Quarter-final results
Greece 5-9 Australia
Hungary 17-9 China
United States 11-8 Netherlands
Spain 24-8 Canada
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