Hungary wins world youth championship

© Alexander Kothe

Hungary is the new U18 men's world champion. In a nail-biting gold medal final the Magyars edged Spain 10-8 in a penalty shoot-out. The penalties were needed as both sides were tied 5-5 after regulation. Spain, after scoring the equaliser with just over a minute remaining, even were close to the win but their best attempt in the final phase hit the crossbar. In the shoot-out Hungary remained perfect while the only Spanish miss proved costly as the György Horkai coached Hungarians became the successor of inaugural and 2012 world champion Italy. Meanwhile Spain finished a nice tournanent with a silver medal. Russia finished third holding off Serbia 11-9 in the bronze medal. Montenegro took fifth in a high-scoring battle topping hosts Turkey. Seventh place was won by Italy who, in the final day's opening match, defeated Croatia 8-10. 

2nd FINA World Men's Youth Championships
Age 18 & under

Ataköy Sutopu Federasyonu Olimpik Yuzme Havuzu
Istanbul, Turkey
2-10 August

Schedule and results

Sunday 10 August (final round):

10.30: Croatia (L65) vs. Italy (L66) 8-10 (1-1, 3-4, 3-3, 1-2) - (7th/8th place)
12.00: Turkey (W65 vs. Montenegro (W66) 13-14 (??, ??, ??, ??) - (5th/6th place)
18.00: Russia (L67) vs. Serbia (L68) 11-9 (??, ??, ??, ??) - (3rd/4th place)
19.30: Hungary (W67) vs. Spain (W68) 10-8 (1-0, 1-3, 1-1, 2-1; penalties: 5-3) - (1st/2nd place)





Final rankings

1. Hungary
2. Spain
3. Russia
4. Serbia
5. Montenegro
6. Turkey
7. Italy
8. Croatia
9. Australia
10. Canada
11. USA
12. Japan
13. Brazil
14. Kazakhstan
15. Egypt
16. Argentina
17. Iran
18. South Africa
19. New Zealand
20. Peru