Match Reports
Match 37. Round Of 16.
NEUTRAL ATHLETES B 16 BRAZIL 10 (2-2, 5-2, 5-3, 4-3)

Brazil failed to learn the lessons from its earlier loss to Neutral Athletes B in the league phase and crashed to another defeat. After losing by three on Tuesday (10-7), Brazil fared worse in this rematch, falling by six in the end. Four goals from the prolific Nikita Dereviankin, who was scoreless in the first game, inspired Neutral Athletes B to a fourth consecutive victory in Malta, but a huge test now awaits in the quarterfinals – France.          

Match 38. Round Of 16.
CANADA 13 UKRAINE 17 (2-5, 5-4, 4-3, 2-5)

After the highs of downing France in the league phase, Canada came crashing back down to earth, as it was unable to recover from a sluggish start against Ukraine, who sit 19 places below it in the world rankings. Trailing by three at the first break, Canada stepped up in the second and third quarters, but it couldn’t maintain those levels and faded in the fourth. Despite conceding an equaliser early in the final period (12-12), Ukraine found another gear, hitting the next two goals and wrestling back control. Canada managed to add one more, but Ukraine smashed in the last three goals to wrap up a memorable victory. Dmytro Ashanin led the celebrations after top scoring with four goals.           

Match 39. Round Of 16.  
AUSTRALIA 18 SLOVAKIA 9 (4-2, 6-3, 5-3, 3-1)

Australia, who has already qualified for the World Cup finals in Sydney as host, surged past Slovakia to reach the quarterfinals. Five goals from Jacob Mercep and four from Marcus Berehulak caused most of the damage for the Aussie Sharks, who ripped through the Slovak defence in the first half to lead by five (10-5). The gap had stretched to seven by the end of the third, and widened to nine in the fourth, as Australia firmly put Slovakia to the sword.  

Match 40. Round Of 16.  
MONTENEGRO 23 MALTA 6 (6-1, 6-0, 7-3, 4-2)

Image Source: Montenegro v Malta/Chareace Camilleri/World Aquatics

Host Malta was no match for Montenegro, who roared to a fourth emphatic victory. Nikola Moskov was the main danger-man, firing in six goals to take his tournament tally to 14, while Strahinja Gojkovic was also in lethal form, hitting four. Malta’s Jeremy Abela struck his side’s lonely opening goal at the end of the first quarter, and the home fans had to wait nearly 10 minutes to cheer another. Montenegro shut its opponent out for the whole of the second period, and had already started plotting for the quarterfinals.           

Match 41. Round Of 16.
ROMANIA 21 ARGENTINA 11 (5-3, 6-3, 6-2, 4-3)

Image Source: Carlos Camnasio (ARG) v Romania/Allezea Galea/World Aquatics

Romania had little trouble dismantling Argentina, as it gradually pulled away in the first half, before putting the result beyond any doubt in the third quarter. Carlos Camnasio’s five goals helped the South Americans reach double digits, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Romanians from running out of sight. The Europeans comfortably won each quarter, with Andrei Neamtu shining brightest after hammering in six goals.                  

Match 42. Round Of 16.
GERMANY 14 CHINA 8 (2-3, 6-0, 2-2, 4-3)

Image Source: Goalkeeper Andreas Benke (GER) v China/Allezea Galea/World Aquatics

A 6-0 surge in the second quarter swung the game Germany’s way, as China collapsed and left itself facing a huge mountain to climb. It proved to be an impossible task, as the fresher Germans – having played one game fewer in Malta – were able to hold firm and close the game out. China got back to within four once, but couldn’t get any nearer, and was left ruing its disastrous, and decisive, second-period display. Elias Metten and Yannek Chiru excelled in attack, firing in half of Germany’s goals, four and three respectively. 

Match 43. Round Of 16.
TURKIYE 12 GEORGIA 19 (4-2, 3-5, 2-5, 3-7)

Image Source: Fatih Acar (TUR) v Georgia/Luke Bonello/World Aquatics

After losing to Turkiye 16-17 in the league phase on day one, Georgia gained its revenge when it mattered most, winning by seven and delivering a knockout blow. The Georgians – assisted by four Dusan Vasic strikes – were made to work hard for the win, though, as history looked to be repeating itself when the Turks went 4-2 up in the first quarter. A huge end-to-end battle broke out and it wasn’t until late in the third that Georgia took control thanks to a powerful 4-0 burst after 8-7. That run knocked Turkiye off its stride and it completely sank after shipping seven more goals in the fourth. 

Match 44. Round Of 16.
FRANCE 23 PORTUGAL 9 (6-1, 6-4, 4-1, 7-3)

Image Source: Steven Vitrant (FRA) v Portugal/Luke Bonello/World Aquatics

France eased past Portugal to reach the quarterfinals with another dominant display. Alexandre Bouet rifled in six goals, while captain Thomas Vernoux and Mathis Mas each hit hat-tricks in what was a one-sided encounter. France set about its business early, racing into a 12-5 lead by halftime and produced more fireworks in the second half. Portugal tried in vain to keep up, as the outcome was never in doubt.          

Match 46. Classification 17th-24th.
SINGAPORE 16 SOUTH AFRICA 10 (2-2, 6-1, 4-3, 4-4)

Image Source: Singapore v South Africa/Luke Bonello/World Aquatics

South Africa looked on course for at least a close contest with Singapore after taking a 2-0 lead inside the first six minutes, but it was hit by an 8-0 surge that totally changed the game’s trajectory. South Africa steadied its ship in the third and fourth, but by then, Singapore was already sailing towards its first win in Malta. Matthias Goh was the standout performer for the Asians, top scoring with four goals.     

Match 47. Classification 17th-24th.
POLAND 20 HONG KONG 11 (5-2, 5-5, 4-2, 6-2)

Poland’s Bartosz Grabinski and Andrzej Maciejewski were in fine form against Hong Kong, arrowing in five and four goals respectively. The Poles started as they meant to carry on, firing in three unanswered goals to get up and running. Hong Kong responded well and was still within touching distance by halftime (10-7), but drifted away after the turnaround.       

Match 48. Classification 17th-24th.
SLOVENIA 13 GREAT BRITAIN 10 (0-2, 5-1, 3-2, 5-5)

Slovenia took more than 10 minutes to get going in its clash against a resilient Great Britain, and after hitting five goals in the second quarter, it never surrendered its lead. The Brits regrouped after the turnaround and stayed in contention, but could never cut the gap to below two, thanks largely to the saves of Slovenia goalkeeper Zan Smolic, whose heroics helped steer his team to victory. Reuben Powell led the resistance for Great Britain with a game-high four goals, but it wasn’t enough to cause an upset.        

Day 5 Schedule

Quarterfinals
Neutral Athletes B v France
Ukraine v Georgia
Australia v Germany
Montenegro v Romania

9th-16th Classification
Slovakia v China
Brazil v Portugal
Canada v Turkiye
Malta v Argentina

17th-20th Classification
Kazakhstan v Slovenia
Singapore v Poland

21st-24th Classification
South Africa v Hong Kong

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