Croatia have retained their European junior crown after defeating Spain 17-14 in the final of the European Aquatics Men’s U20 Championship in Varna.
The victory means Croatia remain champions after also winning the previous edition of the competition in 2024, when it was still played at U19 level. It also completes a remarkable summer for Croatian age-group water polo, with the country now having won gold at the U16, U18 and U20 championships in 2026.
Spain started the final strongly and led 5-3 after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 6-3 early in the second period.
Croatia responded with three unanswered goals to draw level at 6-6, before the sides went into half-time tied at 7-7.
Momentum shifted after the break. Croatia scored twice at the start of the third quarter to move 9-7 ahead, although Spain repeatedly fought back and eventually levelled at 12-12.
Gabrijel Burburan then restored Croatia’s lead just before the end of the third period.
The decisive run came in the final quarter. Maro Susic converted from the penalty line before adding another from a counterattack, while Tonicic stretched Croatia’s advantage to 16-12 as the defending champions took control.
Burburan finished with five goals, while Susic scored four. Albert Sabadell led Spain with four.
The result continues an impressive year for both finalists. Spain had already collected silver at the U16 World Championship and bronze at the U18 World Championship, while Croatia completed a clean sweep of the three major men’s age-group competitions this summer.
Italy claimed bronze after beating Montenegro 15-13 following a penalty shootout.
The match finished 10-10 in regular time after Montenegro produced a late three-goal run to take a 10-9 lead. Italy equalised with 19 seconds remaining before converting all five penalties in the shootout.
Hungary defeated Serbia 20-19 after another shootout to finish fifth, while Greece beat Germany 19-16 in the seventh-place match.
In Division I in Oeiras, Neutral Athletes B defeated Israel 13-9 in the final. Both teams secured promotion to the Elite Division for the next U20 European Championship in 2028.
Results
Final
Spain 14-17 Croatia
Bronze-medal match
Montenegro 13-15 Italy (10-10, Italy won shootout 5-3)
5th-place match
Hungary 20-19 Serbia (14-14, Hungary won shootout 6-5)
7th-place match
Greece 19-16 Germany
Final standings
- Croatia
- Spain
- Italy
- Montenegro
- Hungary
- Serbia
- Greece
- Germany
- Malta
- Netherlands
- France
- Turkiye
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Slovenia
- Czechia
Division I final
Israel 9-13 Neutral Athletes B
Division I final standings
- Neutral Athletes B
- Israel
- Poland
- Belgium
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- Portugal
- Neutral Athletes A
- Great Britain
- Switzerland
- Lithuania
- Finland
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