{"id":79124,"date":"2026-09-01T19:08:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T19:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/79124\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T19:08:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T19:08:20","slug":"italy-montenegro-serbia-and-spain-continue-battling-for-mediterranean-medals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/79124\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy, Montenegro, Serbia and Spain continue battling for Mediterranean medals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and Spain will play in the semifinals of the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.<\/p>\n

Montenegro, which cemented 1st place in Group A two days ago, will face Spain in the semifinals. Italy secured 1st place in Group B this evening, and it will play against Serbia in the semis.<\/p>\n

The crucial matches of the final day of the group stage were clashes Serbia \u2013 Greece and Italy \u2013 Spain.<\/p>\n

Serbia demolished Greece 15:5 in the match that determined 2nd place in Group A. Greece arrived in Taranto with a young team, with half of the players still in their junior years. Although Serbia also has a relatively young roster, with only two European champions\u2014Glusac and Martinovic\u2014playing in this match, the Serbian team is more experienced. Despite this, it was anticipated that Greece could provide strong resistance to Serbia based on their performance against the group winner, Montenegro, in which Greece narrowly lost 14:16.<\/p>\n

Still, Serbia dictated the pace from the beginning. It rushed to a 5:0 lead. The Greeks cut their deficit to three goals by the end of the first quarter (2:5), but they couldn\u2019t come closer. Captain Vasilije Martinovic led Serbia with five goals.<\/p>\n

Montenegro continued its unbeaten run with a 23:5 victory over Slovenia.<\/p>\n

Before the last round in Group B, both Italy and Spain had qualified for the semifinals, and their clash this evening decided the group winner.<\/p>\n

Italy recorded three wins in the first three rounds and had a bye on Day 4. Spain outplayed France 16:10 in the fourth round with four goals from Marc Valls and Pol Daura.<\/p>\n

Spain was in front for most of the first half of the game against Italy. The Spaniards even built a 7:4 lead midway through the second quarter. However, Italy found its rhythm. It produced a 5:1 series. Early in the third period, the hosts held a slim advantage. 9:8. Still, the teams were tied at 10:10 after this quarter, and the decision was left for the final period.<\/p>\n

A fierce battle continued in the fourth quarter. Three minutes before the end, Italy earned a 2-goal advantage for the first time (13:11). Spain quickly caught up to the hosts by scoring two power play goals in just 46 seconds, equalizing at 13:13.<\/p>\n

Filippo Ferrero then put Italy ahead 14:13 with 1:27 remaining on the clock. Spain couldn\u2019t respond, allowing Italy to maintain a narrow lead and secure the top spot.<\/p>\n

Filippo Ferrero was unstoppable, scoring seven goals for Italy, while captain Francesco Condemi added three. For Spain, Marc Valls scored four goals.<\/p>\n

2026 Mediterranean Games, Taranto<\/p>\n

Group A, Round 3<\/p>\n

Montenegro \u2013 Slovenia 23:5 (6:2, 8:0, 5:2, 4:1)<\/p>\n

Greece \u2013 Serbia 5:15 (2:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:3)<\/p>\n

Final standings: 1. Montenegro 9, 2. Serbia 6, 3. Greece 3, 4. Slovenia 0.<\/p>\n

Group B, Rounds 4 and 5<\/p>\n

Spain \u2013 France 16:10 (5:3, 6:3, 3:0, 2:4)<\/p>\n

Bosnia and Herzegovina \u2013 Turkiye 11:23 (2:5, 6:7, 2:5, 1:6)<\/p>\n

Italy \u2013 Spain 14:13 (3:3, 4:5, 3:2, 4:3)<\/p>\n

France \u2013 Turkiye<\/p>\n

Standings: 1. Italy 12, 2. France 9, 3. France 3 (a match fewer), 4. Turkiye 3 (-1), 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.<\/p>\n

More articles about the Mediterranean Games<\/a><\/p>\n

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