BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Princeton University’s Emese Batizi (So., Budapest, Hungary/Szent István Gimnázium) shot zero-for-one on action shots and blocked a scoring try by Spain as Hungary experienced a 15-13 penalty shootout quarterfinal loss at the 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships in Salvador, Brazil.
The loss drops Hungary into the consolation side of the bracket as the team will clash with Brazil – which took a 20-7 loss to Greece in another quarterfinal – at 5:30 p.m. local/4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, August 15 in a 5th-8th Place game. Croatia – which dropped a 24-6 game to the United States – and the Netherlands – which was nixed by Italy in an 11-9 affair – will clash in the other 5th-8th Place contest at 4:00 p.m./3:00 p.m.
Hungary was forced to comeback throughout the game as Spain jumped out to leads of 2-1, 7-5 and 10-8 by the end of the first, second and third quarters, respectively, to keep the Hungarians on their heels. However, Hungary punched back in the fourth quarter to knot the game at 11-all and force a penalty shootout.
Spain fell behind after the first shooters as Hungary’s Eszler Macsai buried her chance and the Spaniards’ Isabel Piralkova Codello had her bid saved. Following both teams scoring on their second opportunities, the tide turned as Zoe Lendvay had her shot saved, while Martina Claveria evened the damage at two-all in the shootout. Dominika Kardos clanged a shot off the post for the Hungarians and Queralt Anton Boixadera swished an opportunity for Spain to put her team back in front at 3-2 in the shootout. Itzler Almeda Pitarch locked up the win for Spain by depositing a back-breaking volley to establish the 15-13 final score.
All matches for the 2025 World Aquatics Women’s Junior World Championships are scheduled to stream live on the World Aquatics YouTube site. Live statistics and postgame box scores are available from MicroPlus Timing Services.
Batizi is making her sixth appearance on the international stage after earning roster spots on Hungary’s U14 (2018-19), U15 (2019-20), U17 (2021-22) and U19 (2023-24) teams.
During her inaugural season at Princeton, Batizi appeared in 25 games, recording 26 goals, 25 assists and 22 steals as the Tigers finished the season as the runner-up at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship.
