European Aquatics Championships – Belgrade 2026
MALTA…………………….12
MONTENEGRO……….. 21
(5-6) (0-5) (4-5) (3-5)
Montenegro proved too strong for Malta as they secured a 21–12 victory, pulling away decisively after a closely fought opening quarter. A dominant second period laid the foundations for the win, as Malta struggled to convert key man-up opportunities despite showing resilience throughout the match.
Although Malta were always trailing in the first quarter, they managed to keep pace with their opponents, losing the period by just one goal at 6-5.
Montenegro scored twice through Aljoša Mačić, with further goals from Danilo Stupar, Dimitri Kholod, Vasilije Radović, and Jovan Vujović, the latter capitalising on a man-up situation.
For Malta, goals by Matthew Zammit, Stevie Camilleri, and Jayden Cutajar, together with two man-up conversions from Ivan Nagaev and Nikolai Zammit, ensured Cirović’s men remained within touching distance.
The story in the second quarter was very different, as Montenegro took full control of the match, dominating the period 5-0. Gojković led the charge with a hat-trick, while Mršić and Vujović added a goal each to extend the score to 11-5. Malta, meanwhile, failed to capitalise on three man-up opportunities.
Malta also lost the third quarter by a single goal, finishing the period 5-4. Stevie Camilleri scored twice for Malta to complete his hat-trick, while Matthew Zammit and Alec Fenech added the other goals.
For Montenegro, Matković also found the net twice to complete his own hat-trick, with Spač, Radović, and Janović on target as Dejan Savić’s men extended their lead to 16-9.
Montenegro won the final quarter 5-3 to seal a 21-12 victory. Malta’s goals in the last period came from Matthew Zammit, who completed his hat-trick with a man-up conversion, and Jake Muscat, who also scored from a man-up situation. Captain Stevie Camilleri added his fourth goal of the game, marking his 45th overall since first featuring in these championships.
Montenegro’s goals came from Spač, who scored twice to complete his personal hat-trick, and one apiece from Perković, Mršić, and Gojković, with the latter netting his fourth of the match.
Malta: J.Tanti, I. Nagaev (1), L. Galea, B. Plumpton, B. Cachia, N. Zammit (1), S. Camilleri (4) (C), J. Cutajar (1), J. Muscat (1), M. Zammit (3), D. Zammit, A. Fenech (1), N. Grixti, E. Schembri
Montenegro: P. Tesanovic (C), D. Kholod (1), J. Vujovic (2), M. Msric (2), A. Macic (2), D. Stupar (1), B. Vuckovic, M. Perkovic (1), V. Spaic (3), D. Matkovic (3), V. Radovic (1), D. Durovic, S. Janovic (1), S. Gojkovic (4)
Referees: Georrgios Stavridis (GRE) and Eurico Silva (POR)
