The men’s water polo quarterfinals at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships are locked in following a goal-filled crossover round.

Olympic champions Serbia dispatched Japan with a dominant 21–14 win to set up a blockbuster clash against bronze medallists USA. Hungary were tested but ultimately held firm against Romania (15–11), earning a high-stakes showdown with world champions Croatia.

Elsewhere, Greece eased past Brazil 17–5 to book a meeting with Group A winners Italy, while Montenegro overwhelmed Canada 22–10, lining up a mouth-watering duel with Group B leaders Spain.

In the classification matches, Australia produced the tournament’s highest-scoring performance so far in a 27–4 rout of South Africa, while China cruised past hosts Singapore 21–8. These results shape the lower classification ties, with Australia now facing China for 13th place, and Singapore set to play South Africa for 15th.

With the final eight now confirmed, attention turns to Day 8’s quarterfinal fixtures, where the path to the podium intensifies:

Quarterfinal Fixtures – 18 July (CEST)
10:00 – Italy vs Greece
11:35 – Spain vs Montenegro
13:10 – USA vs Serbia
14:45 – Croatia vs Hungary

Classification Matches
03:00 – South Africa vs Singapore (15th–16th place)
04:35 – Australia vs China (13th–14th place)
06:10 – Japan vs Brazil (9th–12th semifinal)
07:45 – Romania vs TBD (9th–12th semifinal)

Serbia 21 – 14 Japan
Olympic champions Serbia powered past Japan with a 21–14 victory in the crossover round, securing a mouth-watering quarterfinal against bronze medallists USA. While Japan battled hard and stayed within reach during the first half, Serbia’s class eventually told, pulling away with a dominant third period to put the game beyond doubt.

Led by Boris Vapenski (4 goals), Milos Cuk and Djordje Lazic (3 each), Serbia built a 9–5 halftime lead and then broke the game open with a five-goal burst in the third. Despite spirited efforts from Japan’s Watanabe, Inaba and Suzuki—who all scored hat-tricks—Serbia’s superior depth and experience proved decisive.

Serbia’s extra-man efficiency (8/11) and clinical finishing (46 shots to Japan’s 34) underpinned the win. With goalkeepers Filipovic and Nishimura both making key saves, it was a high-intensity clash, but Serbia’s pedigree showed. They now move into the final eight, while Japan drops into the 9–12 classification matches.

Romania 11 – 15 Hungary
Hungary secured a hard-fought 15–11 win over a determined Romanian side that refused to roll over, despite an early 3–0 surge from the Olympic bronze medallists. Romania kept the pressure on throughout, with standout performances from Vlad-Luca Georgescu (4 goals) and Andrei Neamtu (3), capitalising especially well on extra-player situations.

Hungary looked unsettled at times but found crucial goals through Gergely Burian (3), Daniel Angyal, Adam Nagy, and Petar Kovacs. A pair of missed Romanian penalties—both saved by Mizsei and Csoma—proved costly as Hungary clung to a narrow margin deep into the fourth.

Romania converted 8/10 man-up chances and outshot expectations, but Hungary’s late composure and sharper finishing saw them through. Daniel Angyal admitted it wasn’t their best game—but they now look ahead to a massive quarterfinal showdown with world champions Croatia.

Brazil 5 – 17 Greece
Greece proved far too strong for Brazil, securing a 14–5 win and setting up a huge quarterfinal clash against group winners Italy. The 2023 World Cup silver medallists dominated the first half with a 7–0 lead, led by early goals from Kalogeropoulos and a standout finish by Kakaris at centre-forward.

Brazil responded better in the third period, finding the net four times, but Greece stayed firmly in control with Genidounias, Chalyvopoulos, and Argyropoulos all contributing. Despite 11 saves from Brazilian goalkeeper Joao Fernandes, Greece’s superior efficiency on extra-player situations (4/5) and penalties (3/4) sealed the result.

Greece’s defensive work was equally impressive, with 12 steals to Brazil’s three. Brazil now drops into the 9–12 classification matches, while Greece eyes a semifinal berth—if they can topple Italy.

Canada 10 – 22 Montenegro

Montenegro wasted no time asserting their dominance against Canada, producing a blistering opening quarter that paved the way for a 22–10 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals of the World Championships.

Labelled favourites heading into the match, the “Ajkule” (Sharks) made their intentions clear from the outset. Despite conceding the opening goal within the first 25 seconds, Montenegro responded with a powerful offensive display, scoring seven times in the first period to lead 7–3.

Aljosa Macic quickly equalised before Nikola Matkovic and Vasilije Radovic gave Montenegro the lead. Canada briefly pulled it back to 3–2, but from there, the floodgates opened. Strahinja Gojkovic capitalised on a man-up opportunity, while goals from Marko Vujovic, Filip Gardasevic, and Djuro Radovic (from the penalty spot) rounded off a dominant quarter.

The second period saw complete control from Montenegro, who shut out the Canadians while adding five more goals to extend their lead to 12–3 at halftime.

Dejan Savic’s squad rotated freely in the second half, maintaining control without ever being threatened. Filip Gardasevic led the scoring with five goals, while Savo Cetkovic impressed with a perfect four-from-four shooting performance.

With this confident win, Montenegro now prepare for their biggest test yet — a high-stakes quarterfinal clash with Spain, scheduled for Sunday.

South Africa 4 – 27 Australia
Australia reminded everyone of their pedigree with a commanding 27–4 win over South Africa, bouncing back after a tough group stage to dominate their first classification match. It’s the first time since 1973 the Aussie Sharks have played for the bottom four—but they showed their class with a ruthless second quarter, outscoring their opponents 10–1.

Matthew Byrnes, Nathan Power, and Tristan Glanznig each netted four goals, while 13 different players found the scoresheet. Debutant goalkeeper Laurence Barker impressed with 10 saves, and the Sharks’ relentless defence earned 14 steals. South Africa managed just one goal from open play in the first three periods.

Australia now faces China for 13th place in what should be a far more balanced matchup, while South Africa will play hosts Singapore. Despite limited efficiency on extra-player situations (3/8), the Aussies outshot their opponents 46 to 25, underlining the gulf between the tournament’s top 12 and bottom four.

Singapore 8 – 21 China
China made light work of hosts Singapore with a dominant 21–8 victory, showing they were a class above in this classification matchup. A 6–1 first quarter set the tone, and by halftime the score had doubled, with captain Chen Zhongxian leading the charge with six goals overall.

China’s crisp ball movement and clinical finishing proved too much, though Singapore impressed in patches—scoring three action goals in the second quarter and edging the final period 4–3. Shaunn Lok and Ryan Yap were among the standout performers for the home side, while goalkeeper Lee Lee recorded nine saves.

China outshot Singapore 45 to 23, made 12 steals, and converted 4/6 man-up chances. They now face Australia for 13th place, while Singapore—despite the loss—earned credit for their attacking moments and will play for 15th.

What’s Next – Day 8 Fixtures (18th July)

Quarterfinals

• 10:00 – Italy vs Greece
• 11:35 – Spain vs Montenegro
• 13:10 – USA vs Serbia
• 14:45 – Croatia vs Hungary

Other Matches – CEST

• 06:10 – Japan vs Brazil (9th–12th semifinal)
• 07:45 – Romania vs TBD (9th–12th semifinal)
• 03:00 – South Africa vs Singapore (15th–16th place)
• 04:35 – Australia vs China (13th–14th place)

See Waterpolo 360’s Singapore 2025  World Championship Page

Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X