Montenegro, Spain, Croatia and Team USA have qualified for the semifinals of the 2026 World U18 Championships in Rio Maior, Portugal.
All four sides had finished in the top two places of their Division 1 groups, giving them two days off before returning for the quarterfinals.
The results also mean both finalists from the 2024 World U18 Championships have been eliminated. Outgoing champions Hungary were beaten by Team USA, while Serbia, the 2024 silver medallists, fell to Spain. Montenegro are the only team from the Buenos Aires podium to reach the semifinals in Rio Maior.
Montenegro will face Team USA in the semifinals, while Spain and Croatia will meet in the other last-four clash.
Montenegro, winners of a demanding Group A in Division 1, overcame Greece 10:8 in the opening quarterfinal. Greece had dominated Division 2 and the crossover round, but Montenegro made the stronger start and built a 5:1 lead early in the second quarter.
Greece fought back and reduced the deficit to one goal twice, at 7:6 and 8:7, but Montenegro responded at the key moments to keep control of the match and secure their place in the semifinals. Stefan Vranes and Roganovic scored three goals each for Montenegro.
Spain, the top-ranked team from Group B, continued their perfect run with a convincing 16:10 win over Serbia. The Spaniards took control early, racing into an 8:1 lead by the 13th minute, and Serbia never fully recovered from the opening damage.
Spain captain Mauro Milan led the way with an outstanding performance, scoring five goals as his team booked their place in the semifinals.
The other two quarterfinals were decided by narrow margins.
Croatia edged Italy 12:11 in a dramatic contest full of momentum swings. Early in the fourth quarter, Italy led 10:9, but Croatia responded and moved ahead midway through the period at 11:10.
Italy levelled at 11:11, but Croatia had the final say. Burazin scored the decisive goal with 42 seconds remaining to send Croatia into the semifinals. Burazin and Dragas were Croatia’s top scorers with three goals each.
Team USA also won 12:11, defeating outgoing champions Hungary after a remarkable comeback.
The start of the match suggested Hungary were on course for the semifinals. The Europeans led 4:1 after the first quarter and then scored at the beginning of the second period to move 5:1 ahead.
However, the Americans produced one of the comebacks of the tournament. Team USA went on an 8:0 run, turning a four-goal deficit into a 9:5 lead deep into the third period. Hungary went more than 15 minutes without scoring.
In the closing stages, Hungary reduced the gap to one goal twice, at 11:10 and 12:11, but could not find an equaliser. Kaneko scored five goals for Team USA.
2026 World U18 Championships, Day 6
Quarterfinals
Montenegro – Greece 10:8
Quarter scores: 4:1, 2:3, 2:3, 2:1
Spain – Serbia 16:10
Quarter scores: 5:1, 4:3, 5:3, 2:3
Croatia – Italy 12:11
Quarter scores: 2:2, 3:2, 3:5, 4:2
USA – Hungary 12:11
Quarter scores: 1:4, 4:1, 4:1, 3:5
9th–12th place classification, round 3
Group G
Singapore – Argentina 18:7
Australia – Hong Kong 39:2
Standings:
- Australia – 9
- Singapore – 6
- Argentina – 3
- Hong Kong – 0
Group H
South Africa – Brazil 15:26
Colombia – Portugal 14:11
Standings:
- Brazil – 9
- Colombia – 6
- South Africa – 3
- Portugal – 0
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