Georgia seal last semi-final spot with dramatic win over Malta
The final day of the group stage arrived with one clear question: who would grab the last ticket to the semi-finals? All roads led to Georgia against Malta, a straight shootout with everything on the line. When the sand finally settled, it was Georgia who stood tallest, grinding out a 2-1 win and completing the final four.
Around them, Slovakia and Latvia edged thrillers of their own, shaping the play-off picture and setting up a fascinating knockout phase.
Group A: Georgia edge Malta in tense decider
For a game carrying such weight, the opening period between Georgia and Malta was cagey, almost nervy. Both sides dug into their defensive structure, refusing to over-commit, and the first frame passed without a goal but not without tension. Every clearance felt like a small victory, every half-chance quickly smothered.
Georgia needed a spark. It came in the second period.
Kurdadze broke the deadlock, finally prising Malta open and releasing a surge of Georgian belief. The goal changed the tone instantly: Georgia stepped higher, Malta were forced to chase. Just when Malta looked like they might reach the second break only one down, Lomidze delivered a hammer blow, doubling the lead to 2-0 and putting Georgia in command.
Two goals up with one period to play. On paper, comfortable. On the sand, anything but.
Malta came out swinging in the third. They pushed bodies forward, took risks, and were rewarded when Bray found a route through to cut the deficit to 2-1. Suddenly, Georgia were under real pressure, forced to defend deeper and manage the clock as the minutes bled away.
The Maltese surge never really stopped, but Georgia refused to crack. Blocks, headers, last-ditch tackles – they threw everything at protecting that slender advantage. When the final whistle came, it was greeted less with celebration than with relief. Job done. Georgia into the semi-finals, Malta left to wonder what might have been.
Group B: Slovakia outlast England in extra-time thriller
If Georgia–Malta was about control and resilience, Slovakia against England was chaos in waves.
England struck first in the opening period through Hulme, seizing the initiative and forcing Slovakia to react. They did so with conviction. Turoň hit back, Šmálik followed, and in the space of a few key moments the game flipped, Slovakia turning a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead by the first break.
The second period crackled with intensity. England’s problems deepened when an own goal stretched Slovakia’s advantage, yet they refused to fold. Robinson stepped up to pull one back, trimming the score to 3-2 and keeping the contest alive heading into the third.
The pattern held: England chasing, Slovakia absorbing and countering. The clock ticked down, the stakes climbed. Then came Friery. His strike dragged England level at 3-3, forcing extra time and shifting all the pressure back onto Slovakia.
Extra time demanded a hero. Hrnčiar answered. His decisive goal broke the stalemate and finally settled a breathless contest 4-3 in Slovakia’s favour, rewarding their persistence and composure under pressure while condemning England to more play-off duty.
Latvia hold off Azerbaijan in tight Group B battle
Latvia’s meeting with Azerbaijan brought a different kind of drama – less wild, more controlled, but no less gripping.
Latvia struck first in the opening period, Grīslis finishing clinically to hand his side a 1-0 lead. It was a narrow margin, but it gave Latvia something precious: control of the tempo.
The second period loosened up. Azerbaijan found their touch in front of goal and Orkhan levelled the contest, briefly swinging the momentum. Latvia answered quickly and decisively. Ģēgers restored the advantage, ensuring Latvia carried a 2-1 lead into the final frame and keeping Azerbaijan chasing.
The pressure rose in the third period, and Latvia responded with what looked like a killer blow. Sakne made it 3-1, a vital cushion that allowed Latvia to tighten up at the back and pick their moments.
Azerbaijan refused to go quietly. Orkhan struck again to complete his brace and drag the score back to 3-2, setting up a tense finale. Latvia, though, stayed organised, saw out the late onslaught, and locked in a hard-earned victory that underlined their resilience as much as their attacking edge.
What comes next
With the dust settled, the semi-final and play-off paths are clear:
- Semi-finals: Norway vs Azerbaijan Latvia vs Georgia
- Play-offs (5th–7th place): Slovakia vs England Malta vs England
Georgia have their place among the last four, Latvia arrive with momentum, and Norway and Azerbaijan now step into the spotlight. The group stage has done its job: no more safety net, no more second chances. From here, every touch could tilt a tournament.
