Croatia's Furious Start at the U-16 Water Polo World Championship
Young water polo players crushed Georgia 20-4 in Zagreb, with another test against Australia coming up on Tuesday.
Young water polo players crushed Georgia 20-4 in Zagreb, with another test against Australia coming up on Tuesday.
Croatia's under-16 water polo team opened the World Championship in Zagreb in spectacular fashion. In the first round of the tournament, held from August 3 to 9, 2026, at the indoor pool by the Sava River, they convincingly defeated their Georgian counterparts 20-4.
It was clear from the opening minutes that Georgia stood no chance. Vito Lokas, Deni Sappe, and Toni Cvitan scored three consecutive goals for an early 3-0 lead, setting the stage for a comfortable match. The first quarter ended 3-1, and Croatian dominance continued in the second, with the teams going into halftime at a commanding 8-2.
In the third quarter, Croatian goalkeepers and defense were impenetrable, resulting in a 4-0 shutout in that period. Heading into the final stretch, the scoreboard showed an insurmountable 12-2. More goals followed from both sides in the last quarter (8-2), sealing a +16 margin. Vlaho Rajčević was named player of the match, scoring four goals, including three from penalty shots.
Croatia plays its next match on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, again at 7 PM at the same venue. Their opponent will be Australia, who defeated Slovenia 11-8 in the first round. This will be a chance to add more points and confirm their excellent form on home turf.
