The final pairing of the 2026 European Championships is set. In front of packed stands at the Belgrade Arena, Serbia and Hungary booked their places in the gold-medal match with convincing semifinal victories over Italy and Greece respectively on Day 14 of the tournament.
For Serbia, the win guarantees a long-awaited return to the European podium after eight years, while Hungary reached the continental final for the 21st time in their history.
Serbia secures first European medal since 2018
Semifinal 2
Serbia – Italy 17:13
(5:3, 4:4, 6:3, 2:3)
Scorers –
Serbia: Mandic 4, S. Rasovic 4, Lazic 2, Vico 2, Cuk 1, N. Jaksic 1, Dedovic 1, V. Rasovic 1, Martinovic 1
Italy: Iocchi Gratta 3, Condemi 3, Ferrero 1, Di Somma 1, Gianazza 1, Bruni 1, Balzarini 1
Backed by more than 12,000 home fans, the Olympic champions controlled most of the second semifinal, pulling away decisively after halftime to defeat Italy 17:13 and clinch at least bronze — Serbia’s first European medal since 2018.
The opening quarter was tight and physical. Serbia edged ahead four times, while Italy responded on three occasions to keep the score level until 3:3. The hosts finally created separation late in the period through Strahinja Rašović on a man-up and Nikola Dedević from distance, taking a 5:3 lead.
Vasilije Martinović opened the second quarter with a goal for 6:3, but Italy responded through Francesco Condemi and stayed within reach. After Filip Ćuk made it 8:5, Italy coach Alessandro Campagna changed goalkeepers, bringing in De Michelis for Del Lungo. The Italians closed the gap to 6:8 before halftime, with Matteo Iocchi Gratta scoring the final goal of the half for 9:7.
A key moment came early in the second quarter when Serbia captain Nikola Jakšić was shown a red card following a VAR review, a decision that provoked a strong reaction from the Serbian bench. Italy failed to capitalise on the ensuing man-up, and Serbia maintained control.
The decisive stretch arrived immediately after the long break. Serbia opened the third quarter with a ruthless 3:0 run in just over three minutes, extending the lead to 12:7 and effectively breaking the contest. Italy also lost Edoardo Di Somma to a third personal foul during that spell. Despite Campagna switching goalkeepers again, Serbia’s defence — marshalled by young goalkeeper Milan Glušac — remained solid.
Strahinja Rašović scored his fourth goal late in the third quarter to give Serbia a six-goal cushion for the first time (17:11). Both goalkeepers saved penalty shots early in the fourth, and although Italy scored twice late on, Serbia comfortably closed out the match.
Hungary storms back to defeat Greece and reach 21st final
Semifinal 1
Hungary – Greece 15:12
(4:5, 4:3, 4:2, 3:2)
Scorers –
Hungary: Manhercz 4, Ven. Vigvári 3, Ad. Nagy 2, Tatrai 1, Ák. Nagy 1, Vismeg 1, Varga 1
Greece: Skoumpakis 2, Kakaris 2, Argyropoulos 2, Papanastasiou 1, Gkillas 1, Genidounias 1, Papanikolaou 1
Earlier in the evening, Hungary booked their place in the final by overturning a first-half deficit to defeat Greece 15:12, powered by a devastating second-half surge and near-perfect efficiency on extra-player opportunities.
As predicted by Greece head coach Theodoros Vlachos, the opening period was fast and high-scoring. Six goals arrived in the first five minutes, with both teams converting early man-ups. Greece edged ahead 5:3 late in the quarter before Vendel Vigvári narrowed the gap.
Hungary’s man-up attack was flawless early on, converting all five extra-player chances in the first half, but Greece stayed in front through sharp finishing and earned a slender advantage at the first break. By halftime, after Greece added three extra-player goals and a penalty, the teams were level at 8:8.
The match turned decisively after the break. Greece changed goalkeepers, with Tzortzatos replacing Zerdevas, but Hungary immediately seized momentum. Krisztián Manhercz scored his fourth goal, followed by strikes from Ákos Nagy and centre-forward Vismeg, giving Hungary a crucial 3:0 run and an 11:8 lead — the first three-goal margin of the game.
Hungary’s defensive intensity increased, with Soma Vogel producing several key saves, and Greece struggled to score, finding the net only once in almost eight minutes. Hungary entered the final quarter ahead 12:10.
Captain Szilárd Jansik restored a three-goal cushion midway through the fourth, Adam Nagy extended it from a man-up, and although Greece closed to within two goals late on, Vendel Vigvári sealed the win with the final score at 15:12.
Manhercz was voted MVP of the match.
What’s next
Serbia and Hungary will now meet in the gold-medal match, while Italy and Greece face off in the bronze-medal game, with Greece still chasing their first-ever European Championship medal.
European Championships 2026 Homepage
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X