Defending champions Spain made an impressive start to the World Aquatics U16 Women’s Water Polo Championships, defeating Serbia 13-2 on the opening day in Zagreb.
Serbia scored first and remained within one at 3-2 midway through the second quarter, but Spain responded with ten unanswered goals. Ivet Sulla led the champions with six, while Paula Pineda added three.
Hungary, champions in 2022 and runners-up two years ago, also opened with a commanding performance. They defeated Romania 22-4 after turning a 4-2 advantage into a one-sided contest. Mandula Mihok scored six goals from six shots in less than ten minutes, while Hungary converted all eight of their counterattacks.
Greece recorded the biggest attacking total of the day, beating Mexico 25-3. Sofia Lampropoulou scored five and Ifigeneia Manousaki added four as Greece converted 25 of their 31 attempts.
The USA produced the only shutout, cruising past Peru 20-0, while Canada defeated Zimbabwe 16-2 and Australia overcame Ukraine 16-4.
Russia secured an important 11-7 victory against Italy after scoring six unanswered goals to take control before half-time. The Italians failed to convert any of their three extra-player opportunities or two penalties.
The closest match came between Turkiye and hosts Croatia. Eda Moroglu converted a penalty with 26 seconds remaining to seal a dramatic 9-8 victory after Croatia had twice led during the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands beat Germany 17-4, Israel defeated South Africa 12-7, China overcame Brazil 12-7 and New Zealand opened with an 11-7 win against Czechia.
Results
Canada 16-2 Zimbabwe
Spain 13-2 Serbia
Italy 7-11 Russia
Israel 12-7 South Africa
Greece 25-3 Mexico
Hungary 22-4 Romania
China 12-7 Brazil
Netherlands 17-4 Germany
Croatia 8-9 Turkiye
Australia 16-4 Ukraine
USA 20-0 Peru
New Zealand 11-7 Czechia
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