Young Croatian Water Polo Players Secure Convincing Victories
Men's U16 team defeats Australia 15-7, while the women's U20 squad routs Serbia 22-8.
Men's U16 team defeats Australia 15-7, while the women's U20 squad routs Serbia 22-8.
Croatia's young water polo teams have recorded impressive victories in international competitions. The men's U16 national team defeated Australia 15-7 at the World Championship in Zagreb, while the women's U20 team thrashed Serbia 22-8 in the round of 16 at the European Championship in Oeiras, Portugal.
In their second match at the U16 World Championship, held in Zagreb, Croatia completely outplayed Australia. After the first two quarters, it was clear which way the match was heading - the home team went into halftime with a commanding 11-4 lead, having won the quarters 6-3 and 5-1.
In the second half, Australia could only soften the defeat, taking the third quarter 2-1, but Croatia won the final period 3-1 to seal a 15-7 victory.
Ante Domazet, a member of Split's Jadran, was named player of the match after scoring seven goals. On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Croatia faces Malta in their third match of the tournament.
On the same day, in the Portuguese city of Oeiras, Croatia's U20 women's water polo team played a spectacular round-of-16 match at the European Championship. Serbia was completely dismantled with a score of 22-8, with the quarter-by-quarter dominance evident: 5-2, 7-1, 8-2, and 4-3.
Jelena Butić was the most efficient player for Croatia, scoring seven goals. They will face Italy in the quarterfinals.
