The semi-final lineup is set at the 2025 World Aquatics Men’s U20 Championships in Zagreb, with Hungary, Croatia, Spain, and Team USA advancing from the quarter-finals.
Hungary overcame Italy in a disciplined performance, while Spain dispatched Montenegro in emphatic fashion. Croatia mounted an inspired comeback to defeat Greece, but the most dramatic match came at the end of the day — as Team USA edged past Serbia in a penalty shootout.
Hungary 13–10 Italy
(4:3, 2:2, 5:3, 2:2)
Defending champions Hungary are back in the semi-finals after holding off a spirited Italian side.
Led by captain Oliver Leinweber, who netted five times, Hungary controlled the pace throughout, but never fully broke away from their resilient opponents. A critical 3:0 scoring burst in the third quarter proved decisive, stretching the gap to 10:6.
Italy fought to the end, reducing the margin to 12:10 in the closing stages, but Leinweber’s penalty conversion shortly after sealed the win for the reigning champions.
Hungary scorers: Leinweber 5, Balogh 3, Toth 1, Nagy 1, Benedek 1, Porge 1, Lugosi 1
Italy scorers: Gullotta 2, Giacomone 1, Casavola 1, Tringali Capuano 1, Nuzzo 1, Cora 1, Marini 1, Massa 1
Spain 23–9 Montenegro
(5:2, 8:4, 4:0, 6:3)
Spain produced a devastating attacking display to brush aside Montenegro and book their place in the final four.
Although Montenegro briefly led early on, Spain quickly asserted their authority. Four goals in the space of 76 seconds midway through the second period broke the game open, and from that point on, the Spaniards were in complete control.
Fatigue may have played a role for Montenegro, who had come through a tough crossover match the day before — while Spain had benefited from two full days of rest.
Spain scorers: Flaque 4, Perrone 4, Rodriguez 3, Aguirre 3, Nunez 3, Gomila 2, Villamayor 2, Granados 1, Sabadell 1
Montenegro scorers: Stupar 3, Janovic 2, Nikaljevic 1, Radanovic 1, Samardzic 1, Petrovic 1
Croatia 14–11 Greece
(2:5, 1:2, 5:1, 6:3)
Host nation Croatia came from five goals down to defeat Greece in one of the most dramatic games of the tournament so far.
After falling behind 8:3 early in the third period, Croatia completely flipped the match. Goalkeeper Jakov Cosic made several crucial saves, while Pavlic led the scoring with four goals. The Croatians went on a 7:0 scoring run and never looked back. Pavlic sealed the win with a long-range shot into an empty net in the final second.
Croatia scorers: Pavlic 4, Susic 3, Jerkovic 2, Tonicic 2, Burburan 1, Dragosevic 1, Penava 1
Greece scorers: Chatzis 4, Tottis 2, Lykoudis 1, Georgaras 1, Laskaridis 1, Bitsakos 1, Spachits 1
USA 19–18 Serbia (after penalties)
(4:4, 5:2, 2:3, 3:5, PSO 5:4)
Team USA reached back-to-back U20 World Championship semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Serbia.
The Americans had the better of the early exchanges and led 9:6 at halftime. Serbia, however, chipped away at the deficit, eventually drawing level at 14:14 inside the final minute. Neither team could find a winner in regulation, sending the game to a shootout.
Only one miss — in the fourth round, saved by Mills — separated the sides in the shootout, and Akerstrom’s conversion clinched a memorable victory for the United States.
USA scorers: Dodd 7, Liechty 1, Brunkema 1, Zelikov 1, Castillo 1, Schneider 1, Cacarey 1
Serbia scorers: Djokanovic 3, Dankovic 2, Gajic 2, Bodiroga 1, Conkic 1, Andjelic 1, Gladovic 1, Jaukovic 1, Novakovic 1, Adamovic 1
Semi-final Schedule – Friday, June 20
- Spain vs Croatia – 19:00
- Hungary vs USA – 20:30
5th–8th Classification
- Italy vs Serbia – 16:00
- Montenegro vs Greece – 17:30
9th–12th Classification
- Iran vs Australia – 12:00
- China vs Germany – 13:30
13th–20th Classification
Group G Final Standings
- Brazil 9 pts
- Argentina 6 pts
- Singapore 3 pts
- New Zealand 0 pts
Group H Final Standings
- Canada 9 pts
- Kazakhstan 6 pts
- Colombia 3 pts
- South Africa 0 pts
Friday, June 20
- 19th-place match: New Zealand vs South Africa – 09:00
- 17th-place match: Singapore vs Colombia – 10:30
Saturday, June 21
- 15th-place match: Argentina vs Kazakhstan – 09:00
- 13th-place match: Brazil vs Canada – 10:30
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