Serbia men’s national water polo team edged Hungary men’s national water polo team 15–14 in a pulsating encounter in front of more than 12,000 spectators at the Belgrade Arena, becoming the first team to book a place in the semifinals of the 2026 European Men’s Water Polo Championship.
For Hungary, the defeat leaves no margin for error: the upcoming clash with Spain men’s national water polo team is now a must-win.
A match that had everything
Hungary stormed out of the blocks, racing into a 3–0 and then 4–1 lead inside the opening minutes. Serbia, initially rattled, gradually found their rhythm, feeding off the crowd and tightening up defensively behind young goalkeeper Milan Glušac. By the end of the first period, Nikola Jakšić’s buzzer-beating man-up goal had Serbia level at 4–4.
Momentum swung decisively in the third quarter. Serbia’s defense, anchored by Glušac, strangled Hungary’s attack, while the hosts poured in five goals and conceded just one to open up a commanding 13–8 advantage. Hungary refused to fold, clawing their way back in the final quarter and twice reducing the gap to a single goal, but Serbia held firm in the dying seconds.
Match details
Group E – Round 2
Hungary 14 – 15 Serbia
(4:4, 2:3, 1:5, 6:2)
Hungary scorers: Á. Nagy 4, V. Vigvári 2, Jansik 2, Angyal 1, Manhercz 1, Ák. Nagy 1, Fekete 1, Kovács 1, V. Vigvári 1
Serbia scorers: D. Mandić 3, N. Jakšić 3, Čuk 2, S. Rašović 2, Lazić 1, Dedović 1, P. Jakšić 1, Martinović 1
Glušac finished with 12 saves, underlining his growing importance at this level.
Turning points
Serbia’s decisive surge came early in the second half. Goals from Miloš Čuk and Nikola Dedović stretched the lead, before Dušan Mandić converted from the penalty spot to make it 13–8 late in the third.
Hungary’s late rally set up a frenetic finish. After a VAR-reviewed incident that saw Nikola Lukić excluded with substitution, Szilárd Jansik and Ádám Nagy dragged Hungary back to 14–15. Hungary had one final look in the closing seconds, but Dedović’s block preserved Serbia’s victory.
Spain break France late
France 8 – 14 Spain
(1:2, 2:3, 3:5, 2:4)
Spain were made to work far harder than the scoreline suggests against France men’s national water polo team. France stayed within touching distance deep into the third quarter before Spain unleashed an 8–3 run over the final 11 minutes to seal the win.
Unai Aguirre once again underlined his world-class status in goal, while improved power-play efficiency in the second half allowed Spain to pull clear.
Montenegro surge past the Netherlands to reach Top 8
Montenegro 15 – 11 Netherlands
(1:3, 6:6, 3:1, 5:1)
Montenegro men’s national water polo team secured a Top-8 finish after overturning an early deficit against the Netherlands men’s national water polo team. Trailing by three goals twice, Montenegro regrouped and produced a devastating 7–0 run between the 21st and 30th minutes to break the Dutch resistance.
A stunning full-pool lob goal from goalkeeper Petar Tešanović just before halftime proved a psychological turning point, swinging momentum firmly Montenegro’s way.
Group E standings (after Round 2)
- Serbia – 11 pts
- Spain – 9 pts
- Hungary – 9 pts
- Montenegro – 6 pts
- Netherlands – 1 pt
- France – 0 pts
What’s next
Attention now turns to Monday, when another semifinal ticket could be decided. In Group F, the unbeaten Greece men’s national water polo team and Italy men’s national water polo team meet at 18:00. Greece hold the advantage after already defeating Croatia; a regulation-time win would secure both a semifinal place and top spot in the group.
Earlier in the day, Romania face Georgia (15:30) in a key battle for fourth place, while Croatia are expected to handle Turkiye in the final match (20:30).
Group F standings:
- Greece – 9 pts
- Italy – 9 pts
- Croatia – 6 pts
- Romania – 3 pts
- Turkiye – 0 pts
- Georgia – 0 pts
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