Top 5 in the European Championship in Belgrade after demolishing Croatia

Spain, Warrior Until the End: Top 5 in the European Championship in Belgrade After Demolishing Croatia

The Spanish Water Polo Team Closes its Participation with a Strong Victory, Demonstrating Resilience After a Tournament of Ups and Downs.

The Belgrade swimming pool has witnessed the combative spirit of the Spanish water polo team, which this Thursday won fifth place in the European Championship after a display of power against Croatia. The final score, a resounding 17-9, reflects the superiority of a Spanish team that, despite not reaching the semifinals, demonstrated its commitment and ambition until the last second.

The match, marked by intensity and the continuous VAR review that led to eleven penalties, saw a dominant Spain from the start. An initial 3-0 run and a 7-2 at half-time practically sealed the match, leaving a tired Croatia with no options after their match on Wednesday. Coach David Martín knew how to maintain the concentration of his players, thus remembering the importance of respect for the tournament, even after the painful setback on penalties against Hungary.

The Croatians, visibly tired, could not face the Spanish gale, finding themselves with a solid defense and an effective attack. The numerous interruptions and referee reviews did not slow down Spain's pace, which continued to play its game with precision and determination. The effectiveness of the throws and the physical superiority were determining factors for the victory.

The performance of the Spanish goalkeeper, Edu Lorrio, was one of the team's strong points. With 14 masterful saves, Lorrio stood as an insurmountable wall for the Croatian attackers, frustrating their comeback attempts. His confidence between the sticks transmitted confidence to the rest of the team, allowing them to play with greater freedom and boldness in attack, as well as the defensive approach that minimized the Croatians' options.

On the offensive side, Bernat Sanahuja led the Spanish attack with five goals, demonstrating his quality and versatility in the game. The young player was unstoppable, scoring beautifully crafted goals and assisting his teammates with intelligence. His performance was key to dismantling the Croatian defense and opening spaces for other players.

The victory against Croatia allows Spain to close its participation in the European Championship on a positive note, demonstrating that it continues to be one of the most competitive teams on the continent. Although the objective of fighting for the medals was not achieved, the team demonstrated its ability to react and its fighting spirit, values ​​that will allow it to face the upcoming challenges with optimism.

However, the absence of Marc Larumbe, sanctioned after his expulsion in the quarterfinal match against Hungary, was noticeable in the Spanish game. His leadership and experience are essential to the team, and his absence forced tactical adjustments that affected overall performance. Despite this, Spain knew how to overcome this adversity and find solutions to remain competitive.

The match also served to demonstrate the good form of other players, such as Alberto Munárriz, scorer of three goals, and Álvaro Granados, who contributed two goals. These players, along with Sanahuja and Lorrio, form the backbone of a team that aspires to continue achieving success in the future. The future of Spanish water polo involves continuing to focus on the training of young talents and maintaining cohesion and teamwork, values ​​that have always characterized Spanish sport.

Despite saying goodbye to the podium after four consecutive editions among the best in Europe, the Spanish team remains in the continental top 5. To find Spain outside of these positions we have to go back to Budapest 2014, which demonstrates the regularity and competitive level of the team led by David Martín. This consistency is precisely what allows the team to remain in the elite, despite generational changes and the difficulties that may arise.

In the first minutes, Spain came out with an overwhelming attitude. Miguel de Toro forced a penalty on the first play, which Alberto Munárriz masterfully converted. The Spanish defense proved insurmountable, denying the Croatians any shooting option. Sergi Cabanas extended the lead with a superior goal, and Álvaro Granados completed a counterattack to make the score 3-0.

The second quarter maintained the same tone, with Spain dominating both in attack and defense. Bernat Sanahuja scored in superiority, and although Luka Bukic scored for Croatia, the Spanish response was immediate. Munárriz, with a penalty, and Cabanas, with another superior goal, extended the lead to 7-2 at halftime but continued with their problems in attack.

After the break, Spain continued to control the match. Munárriz scored another penalty, and although Kharkov responded for Croatia, Sanahuja assisted Roger Tahull so that he scored 9-4. The Croatians tried to react, but Lorrio was intractable between the posts, frustrating their attempts at a comeback. A 6-5 run in this quarter reflected the intensity and frenetic pace of the match.

In the last quarter, Spain kept the distance thanks to goals from Unai Biel, Fran Valera and the omnipresent Bernat Sanahuja. Despite a penalty committed by Lorrio, which he himself saved, and some specific errors in defense, the Spanish team knew how to maintain concentration and secure the victory. Pol Daura's final goal sealed the final 17-9, certifying Spain's fifth place in the European Championship in Belgrade.

Now, the Spanish team is preparing to face Division 1 of the World Cup in April, a new challenge in which it will seek to continue demonstrating its worth and ambition. The Spanish team has high hopes for this tournament, and is confident of being able to bring joy to its fans. With work, effort and dedication, anything is possible.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Spain's Participation in the Belgrade 2026 European Championship

**1. What was Spain's final result at the European Championships in Belgrade 2026?**

Spain finished in fifth place after beating Croatia 17-9 in the match for fifth and sixth place.

**2. Against whom did Spain lose in the quarterfinals?**

Spain lost to Hungary in the quarterfinals in a dramatic penalty shootout.

**3. Who was Spain's top scorer in the match against Croatia?**

Bernat Sanahuja was the top scorer with five goals.

**4. How many saves did the Spanish goalkeeper, Edu Lorrio, make in the match against Croatia?**

Edu Lorrio made a total of fourteen stops.

**5. How effective was Spain in the extra man plays?**

Spain was 8/12 in extra man plays.

**6. When was the last time Spain was out of the top 5 in a European Championship?**

The last time was in Budapest 2014, where the Spanish team obtained seventh place.

7. **Who is the coach of the Spanish water polo team?**

The coach is David Martín.

8. **What competition will Spain play in April?**

Spain will compete in Division 1 of the World Cup.

9. What implications does this result have for the future of the national team?

This result provides new motivation to continue working and come back stronger than ever, the team is committed to continuing to give their best in each competition.

10. How can I stay up to date with the news and upcoming matches?

You can follow all the news about the team and their upcoming matches on our Telegram channel: https://t.me/casino_gurus