Georgia Secures Semi-Final Spot with Narrow Win Over Malta
The sand tightened, the margins shrank, and by the end of the final group-stage whistle, Georgia had dragged themselves into the last vacant semi-final seat. A narrow 2-1 win over Malta sealed it, completing a line-up that now includes Norway, Azerbaijan, Latvia and the tournament’s newest dark horse.
Group A: Georgia edge Malta in tense decider
For a game carrying so much weight, the opening period between Georgia and Malta was cagey, almost nervy. Both sides sat in disciplined blocks, wary of a mistake that could end their campaign in a heartbeat. Chances were rationed. The scoreboard stayed untouched.
The tension finally cracked in the second period. Georgia stepped higher, pushed their wide players on, and the pressure told. Kurdadze found the breakthrough, nudging his side in front and shifting the entire mood of the contest.
Malta, forced to chase, opened up. Georgia pounced again before the frame was out. Lomidze struck to make it 2-0, a goal that felt huge in the context of such a tight battle and gave Georgia a cushion heading into the last period.
Malta refused to fold. In the third, Bray clawed one back, injecting fresh life into their challenge and turning the closing minutes into a siege on the Georgian goal. Crosses flew in, shots came from distance, but Georgia dug in. Their back line held firm under late, heavy pressure to close out a 2-1 victory and with it, the final semi-final berth.
Latvia now await them in the last four. On this evidence, Georgia will not be easy to shift.
Group B: Slovakia stun England in extra time thriller
If Group A was about control and composure, Group B descended into chaos and drama.
England and Slovakia traded blows in a wild contest that needed extra time to separate them. England struck first in the opening period through Hulme, settling quickly and looking sharp in possession. But Slovakia refused to be overawed.
Turoň hit back, Šmálik followed, and in the blink of an eye Slovakia had flipped the game to lead 2-1 by the first break.
The second period tightened up but never lost its edge. An England own goal stretched Slovakia’s advantage to 3-1, only for Robinson to drag England back into it and keep the score at 3-2 heading into the third.
The final regulation frame was all about nerve. England pushed, Slovakia tried to manage the game, and then Friery struck. His goal dragged England level at 3-3 and hurled the tie into extra time.
Once there, one moment decided it. Hrnčiar broke free and found the finish that mattered, sealing a 4-3 win for Slovakia and leaving England to face the 5th–7th place playoffs instead of a shot at the title.
Latvia hold off Azerbaijan in tight contest
Latvia’s 3-2 victory over Azerbaijan was less chaotic but no less intense, a game that swung on clinical finishing and stubborn defending.
Grīslis opened the scoring in the first period, a sharp strike that gave Latvia a slender 1-0 lead at the first pause. It set the tone: Latvia efficient, Azerbaijan always lurking.
The second period opened up. Orkhan levelled for Azerbaijan, a deserved equaliser after sustained pressure. Latvia answered quickly. Ģēgers restored the lead, ensuring Latvia carried a 2-1 advantage into the final period and forcing Azerbaijan to chase.
When Sakne added a third in the third frame, Latvia finally had breathing space. Orkhan struck again to complete his brace and drag Azerbaijan back to 3-2, but time and Latvian resolve ran out on the comeback. Latvia’s defence saw it through, booking a semi-final date with Georgia.
What comes next
The group stage has cleared the fog. The semi-finals are set: Norway vs Azerbaijan, Latvia vs Georgia.
Behind them, Slovakia and England will scrap for positions in the 5th–7th place playoffs, with Malta also dropping into the same bracket.
Georgia arrive with momentum, Latvia with resilience, Norway and Azerbaijan with serious credentials. The sand is narrowing. Who handles the pressure now?
