Croatia, Spain, Hungary and Montenegro won their groups after day-five action of the FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships at the Swimming Complex Podolí, in Prague on Wednesday.

Croatia (A), Hungary (C) and Montenegro (D) won with clean sheets while Spain had the slight blemish of a draw with Serbia in Group B on day two.

However, those group results bring the tournament to the next stage and the group winners bypass the second round, where the second and third-placed teams get a chance to join the top four in Friday’s quarterfinals.

For those outside the top 12, ranking matches begin.

Croatia was the first through in a resounding 13-5 margin over unbeaten Russia. This match was expected to be closer, but the 5-0 opening-quarter surge by Croatia stunned Russia and it got no better with a 6-0 deficit early in the second period before Russia bit back for 7-3 at halftime. There was no joy in the third quarter and Croatia swept into the final period 11-3 in charge and onward to victory. Petar Condic (CRO) scored three goals.

Italy beat Argentina 15-8 and in doing so, wrapped up second place in Group A. It drew 9-9 with Russia on day four, but had the better goal differential in the tie-break against the top team — Croatia — losing by just the one goal on day two (13-12) compared to Russia’s big loss today. Andrea Mladossich top-scored with four goals for Italy.

In Group B, Serbia was too strong for Slovakia, winning 15-0 after leading 7-0 at halftime. Marko Radulovic, Vasilije Martinovic and Petar Jaksic scored three each.

Spain dispensed with Czech Republic 18-4 with Abel Ramon (ESP) netting four goals.

Both teams finished the rounds on seven points, but Spain had the higher goal differential against third-ranked United States of America (20-10) than Serbia (14-9) and claimed first position.

In Group C, Hungary defeated Egypt 22-3 for a third straight win and group dominance. Vendel Vigvari blasted home five goals. Germany, who had a rest day, was second with two wins.

In Group D, Montenegro closed the day’s schedule, eclipsing Kazakhstan 13-2, finishing with three wins and the group supremacy. Jovan Vujovic scored four goals.

Thursday brings the second round where the second and third teams from each group  shoot for quarterfinal berths on Friday. All encounters should bring out the best in the teams with Italy, Serbia, Greece fancied in the first three and USA and Germany gunning for the final berth.

Wednesday results:

Group A: Russia 5 Croatia 13 (0-5, 3-2, 0-4, 2-2), Argentina 8 Italy 15 (2-4, 3-2, 1-5, 2-4). Final points: Croatia 8, Italy 5, Russia 5, Argentina 2, Uzbekistan 0.

Group B: Slovakia 0 Serbia 15 (0-2, 0-5, 0-4, 0-4), Czech Republic 4 Spain 18 (1-4, 0-2, 3-5, 0-7). Final points: Spain 7, Serbia 7, USA 4, Slovakia 2, Czech Republic 0.

Group C: Egypt 3 Hungary 22 (0-5, 1-2, 0-8, 2-7). Final points: Hungary 6, Germany 4, Brazil 2, Egypt 0.

Group D: Montenegro 13 Kazakhstan 2 (3-0, 5-0, 4-2, 1-0). Final points: Montenegro 6, Greece 4, South Africa 2, Kazakhstan 0.

Thursday schedule:

For Classifications 13-18
09:00 5A Uzbekistan v 4D Kazakhstan
10:30 5B Czech Republic v 4C Egypt

For Classifications 1-12
12:00 2A Italy v 3D South Africa
13:30 2B Serbia v 3C Brazil
15:00 3A Russia v 2D Greece
16:30 3B United States of America v 2C Germany