The second phase of the 2026 World Men’s Cup Division 1 in Alexandroupolis began with high drama, statement wins, and a crucial shift in momentum across both groups, as teams now battle for positioning ahead of the Final Eight in Sydney.
In the top group (1st–4th place), Spain and Italy opened with victories, while in the classification group (5th–8th), Team USA reignited their campaign and Croatia stayed on track with a composed win over the Netherlands.
Spain stun Hungary with decisive second-quarter surge
Spain produced one of the standout performances of the tournament so far, defeating Hungary 13:9 thanks to a devastating second-quarter blitz that completely swung the match.
The opening exchanges were evenly matched, with both sides trading goals up to 5:5. However, within just 4 minutes and 47 seconds, Spain delivered a ruthless 5:1 run to take a commanding 10:6 halftime lead. Bernat Sanahuja led the charge with four goals, while quick-fire strikes from Biel, Granados, and Rodriguez broke Hungary’s resistance.
From there, Spain controlled the tempo expertly. Hungary struggled to impose their rhythm in the second half, and despite brief hope at 11:8, Sanahuja struck again to restore a comfortable cushion. The World Champions never looked in danger, closing out a deserved four-goal win.
Italy outlast Greece in rollercoaster classic
Italy extended their winning streak with a dramatic 16:14 victory over Greece in a match full of momentum swings, ultimately decided by composure in the final quarter.
After a fast start that saw Italy surge 6:3 ahead, Greece responded brilliantly with a 6:0 run to take control. By the end of the third quarter, the hosts held a narrow 12:11 advantage and looked poised for a crucial win.
But Italy responded when it mattered most. Iocchi Gratta sparked the turnaround early in the fourth, before Jacopo Alesiani delivered the decisive blows late on. His backhand finish with under a minute remaining effectively sealed the contest, as Greece paid the price for missed man-up opportunities in the closing stages.
USA spark comeback to defeat Serbia
In the 5th–8th place group, Team USA delivered a much-needed response, defeating Serbia 14:12 to claim their first win of the tournament.
Serbia started strongly, building a 4:1 lead early in the second quarter, but a missed penalty proved pivotal. The Americans immediately punished the error with a stunning 5:0 run in under three minutes, flipping the game on its head.
From that point, the USA controlled proceedings with disciplined defense and efficient attacking play. Ryder Dodd led the way with five goals, including key strikes early in the fourth quarter to maintain a decisive gap. Serbia threatened late on but never fully recovered from the mid-game collapse.
Croatia in control against Netherlands
Croatia secured a solid 12:8 victory over the Netherlands, maintaining control throughout a disciplined performance.
A strong opening saw Croatia race into a 3:0 lead, setting the tone early. While the Dutch gradually fought back to within one goal midway through the third period, Croatia responded through Loren Fatovic and Konstantin Kharkov to restore a cushion.
The match was effectively decided when Marko Zuvela extended the lead to four in the final quarter. From there, Croatia managed the game professionally, keeping the Netherlands at arm’s length until the final whistle.
What’s next
Friday serves as a rest day in Alexandroupolis, with the tournament set to conclude over the weekend. With five qualification spots available for the Final Eight in Sydney, the stakes remain high.
Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Greece have already secured their places, while the winner of the lower group will claim the final ticket.
Division 2 update (Malta)
Neutral Athletes (Russia) finished top of Division 2 after a dominant group phase, despite Montenegro recording the biggest wins. Due to the TPI ranking system, stronger opposition victories proved decisive. The Round of 16 begins next, with all 16 teams advancing into knockout action.
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