Georgia secures semi-final spot with tense win over Malta

Georgia completed the semi-final lineup with a win that was more about nerve than flourish, edging past Malta 2-1 on a tense final day of group action. By the end, the picture was clear: Georgia through, Malta out, and a knockout bracket that suddenly looks wide open.

Group A: Georgia grind it out

For a long stretch, the Georgia–Malta decider felt like a game being played on a knife-edge.

The first period was tight, cautious, almost cagey. Both sides sat in disciplined shapes, refusing to over-commit, each fully aware that a single mistake could define their tournament. Chances were rare, risk was rationed, and the goalless opening frame reflected that tension.

The game finally cracked open in the second period. Georgia pushed higher, the passes snapped a little quicker, and the pressure told. Kurdadze seized the moment, finding the net to give Georgia the breakthrough they had been probing for.

That goal changed everything. Malta had to chase; Georgia smelled control.

Just before the buzzer for the end of the period, Lomidze struck to make it 2-0, a goal that felt huge in the context of such a tight contest. Suddenly Georgia had a cushion, and Malta were staring at a mountain.

Malta refused to fold. In the third period, they came back with urgency and finally carved out a lifeline when Bray pulled one back. From there, it was a siege. Georgia dropped deeper, protected their lead and trusted their defensive organisation.

The clock, not the crowd, became Georgia’s loudest ally. Malta kept coming, but the Georgian backline held firm to close out a 2-1 win and claim the last semi-final ticket.

Group B: Slovakia edge England in extra-time thriller

If Group A was about control, Group B was pure chaos.

England and Slovakia served up a wild contest that swung repeatedly before Slovakia finally broke through in extra time to win 4-3.

England struck first, Hulme opening the scoring early in the first period to give them the ideal platform. The response from Slovakia was ruthless. Turoň levelled, Šmálik added another, and by the end of the opening period Slovakia had flipped the game on its head, leading 2-1.

The second period brought more drama. England, already under pressure, were hit by an own goal to fall 3-1 behind. It could have killed them. Instead, Robinson dragged them back into it, finding the net to cut the deficit to 3-2 and keep the contest alive heading into the final frame.

England refused to go away. Friery struck in the third period, and suddenly the momentum shifted again. At 3-3, Slovakia were rocking, England were surging, and the game hurtled into extra time with everything on the line.

That was when Hrnčiar stepped up. In the decisive extra period, he broke the deadlock, delivering the goal that finally separated two sides who had gone blow for blow all game. Slovakia took the 4-3 win, England were left with regrets, and a breathless contest found its brutal conclusion.

Latvia hold off Azerbaijan in tight contest

Latvia’s 3-2 victory over Azerbaijan was another study in fine margins.

They struck first through Grīslis in the opening period, a clean finish that gave them a narrow 1-0 lead at the first break. It was the kind of early advantage that allows a team to dictate tempo, and Latvia used it well.

The second period opened up. Azerbaijan found their touch in front of goal and Orkhan levelled to bring the game back to 1-1. Latvia did not flinch. Ģēgers restored their lead, ensuring they carried a 2-1 advantage into the final period and keeping the pressure squarely on Azerbaijan.

In the third, Latvia found what looked like a decisive blow. Sakne extended the lead to 3-1, a strike that gave them a vital cushion and forced Azerbaijan to chase the game desperately.

Orkhan hit back again to complete his brace and drag the score to 3-2, setting up a tense finish. Latvia, though, stayed compact, managed the final minutes, and saw out a hard-fought win that underlined their resilience as much as their quality.

What comes next

With the dust settled, the road ahead is clear.

Slovakia and England will cross paths again in the playoffs for 5th–7th place, with Malta also facing England in that bracket as they try to salvage pride from a bruising group phase.

At the sharp end, the semi-finals promise edge and intrigue. Norway face Azerbaijan, a clash of styles that could swing on a moment of brilliance or a single lapse. On the other side, Latvia meet Georgia, two sides who have shown they can suffer, defend, and still find the goals that matter.

Georgia have completed the final four. Now comes the real question: can they do more than just arrive?