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Third day of the 2023 ECA Canoe Polo European Championships in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany, brought the first medal matches. The medals were awarded to the best in U21 age groups. In women's U21 final Netherlands beat Germany, and in men's U21 gold medal match Italy outplayed Denmark

It looked like an easy win for Italy in men's U21 gold medal match against Denmark that Italy won 5-1. The Danes had the first shot of the match, which did not land in the goal. Denmark continued from the corner, but was again unfortunate and the ball hit the bar of the goal, which enabled the attack of Italian team. The Italians managed to score in the first attack of the match, a minute and a half into the game. It was Michele Ibba who took Italy into the early lead 1-0. After five minutes of play Giuseppe Ruggiero scored through the middle and took Italy into the lead 2-0. Ruggiero also scored the third Italian goal. William Hay Schmidt managed to score for Denmark (1-3), but two more goals of Pietro Iuvara and Paolo Messina secured Italy a confident 5-1 win and European Champion title in men's U21 tournament.

 

In a bronze medal match in men's U21 event, it was much more intense game between Germany and France. At the end Germans who were playing in front of their home crowd managed to win 3-2. Henning May took Germany into the lead, but Mathis Odot brought France back into the game (1-1). Ole Schroers and Elage Ndiaye again made sure the match was very intense (2-2), however Henning May took matters into his hands and brought Germany a bronze medal, scoring the third goal of the match for Germany.

 

Spain finished in fifth place at this men's U21 tournament after defeating Great Britain (5-4), and Poland was seventh thanks to their 4-1 win against Switzerland.

 

Netherlands celebrated the women's U21 European Champion title. It was a tough match with Germany for the gold medals and glory at Beetzsee. It was actually Germany with Lilly Marie Jondral that had a better start to the match, scoring after a minute and 40 seconds of the match with much excitement from the stands. The Dutch answered four minutes and 20 seconds later when Germany was one player down due to the penalty. It was Wendy Huizinga who scored for Netherlands. Lise Manders took Netherlands into the 2-1 lead after scoring two minutes before the end of the first half time. Three minutes and eleven seconds before the end of the second half, Nina Hachenburg brought Germany back into the game scoring for 2-2. In continuation, Megan Lotgerink and Katharin Grunewald scored for 3-3 and a heart stopping final. The match was decided in extra time, when Megabn Lotgerink scored her second goal of the match and the final result 4-3 for Netherlands.

 

Spain and France were playing for the bronze medal in women's U21 tournament. France started strongly, leading 3-0 thanks to Maelyse Tirel who scored the first goal and Antigone Merot Hyrien whose name was written by second and third French goal. Spain managed to get back into the game with three goals by Ines Arosa Soto, Raquel Calvente Reboll and Valentina Nogueira Lovatto. Then France again took the lead 5-3 with goals by Marie Abellard and Anais Bonamy. The Spanish team, however, did not surrender. Raquel Calvente Reboll, Valentina Nogueira Lovatto and Ines Arosa Soto scored each their second goals of the game, and brought the bronze medal to Spanish team, with a final result 6-5.

 

Sweden concluded the tournament in fifth place, after beating Great Britain 3-2.

 

 

On Sunday, we will see 22 matches, including senior women's and men's medal matches. The semifinals in women's tournament are already known, Germany will play Great Britain at 9:00 local time, and Spain and France will fight for the place in gold medal match at 9:45.