The 2026 European U20 Championships Elite Division opened with a dramatic first day in Varna, as Spain and Hungary both needed penalty shootouts to secure victories.
Italy and Montenegro also began their campaigns with wins in Sub-division 1, while Bulgaria, Turkiye, the Netherlands and Romania collected opening victories in Sub-division 2.
Italy defeated Croatia 16-13 in Group A after a contest featuring several lead changes. The sides entered the final quarter separated by just one goal at 11-10, before Croatia levelled early in the period.
Italy then moved 13-11 ahead and, despite Croatia twice cutting the deficit back to one, struck the final two goals to secure the points. De Simone led Italy with five goals.
Hungary and Greece produced the first shootout drama of the tournament.
Greece held a 14-13 advantage after three quarters, but Hungary edged ahead 15-14 during a much tighter final period. Greece responded immediately to make it 15-15, with neither side able to find another breakthrough.
Seven rounds of penalties were eventually required, with Hungary prevailing 21-20.
Montenegro made a flying start against Germany in Group B, racing into a 5-0 lead inside the opening six minutes.
Germany responded impressively and reduced the deficit to just one on several occasions, but Montenegro remained in front and eventually completed a 16-13 victory. Danilo Stupar scored five times for the winners.
The final match of the day brought another dramatic finish as Spain came from behind to defeat Serbia.
Serbia recovered from an early 3-1 deficit and produced an 8-2 run to move 9-5 ahead late in the third quarter. Spain gradually fought back, reducing Serbia’s advantage to 10-9 before the final three minutes.
Serbia still looked set for victory, but Tomas Perrone scored his sixth goal with just two seconds remaining to level the match at 12-12.
Spain then carried their momentum into the shootout, winning 4-2 on penalties for a 16-14 final score.
The top two teams from each Sub-division 1 group will progress directly to the quarter-finals, while the remaining teams move into the crossover round.
Results
Sub-division 1
Group A
Croatia 13-16 Italy
Hungary 21-20 Greece (15-15, PSO 6-5)
Group B
Montenegro 16-13 Germany
Spain 16-14 Serbia (12-12, PSO 4-2)
Sub-division 2
Group C
Turkiye 15-8 France
Bulgaria 17-11 Slovenia
Group D
Netherlands 18-12 Malta
Romania 21-7 Czech Republic
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