Croatia produced one of the moments of the Women’s European Championships so far, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Serbia 10–8 in a high-stakes Group C showdown and secure a place in the top eight in Funchal.
With qualification for both the quarter-finals and the 2028 European Championships on the line, tension was evident from the opening sprint. Serbia twice established a two-goal cushion in the first half and looked in control at 6–4 early in the third quarter, but the balance of the contest soon shifted dramatically.
Led by captain Jelena Butic, Croatia found another gear, launching a decisive 0–6 run that completely swung the game. Serbia were shut out for the entirety of the third period, as Nina Medic’s pinpoint finish from six metres sparked belief, before further strikes from Butic and Ria Glas put the Croats firmly in the ascendancy.
When Jelena Butic and her sister Magdalena converted Croatia’s first two extra-player chances of the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 10–6, Serbia were suddenly chasing the game. Despite a late response and several efforts striking the woodwork, the comeback arrived too late.
Butic finished with four goals in a commanding captain’s performance, as Croatia celebrated reaching the European Championship top eight for the fourth time. Serbia now drop into the 9th–16th classification rounds, left to reflect on a damaging lapse at a critical moment.
Elsewhere on the final day of Group Stage I, the tournament’s medal contenders flexed their attacking muscle. Greece, Hungary, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands all posted emphatic victories, each scoring 22 goals or more as they sharpened their rhythm ahead of Group Stage II, which begins on Saturday.
Women’s European Championships 2026 – Day 4 Results (Funchal)
Group A
Greece 26–5 Germany
France 21–13 Slovakia
Group B
Spain 22–4 Romania
Hungary 28–4 Portugal
Group C
Italy 25–11 Türkiye
Croatia 10–8 Serbia
Group D
Netherlands 23–6 Israel
Great Britain 18–6 Switzerland
European Championships 2026 Homepage
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