The impressive Italians won every game bar one against the host nation on their way to the crown, emphatically overcoming the United States 10-6 in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final clash with the holders' Serbia, who they edged out 5-4 to book their place in the final.

Serbia did take the bronze medal however, defeating Hungary 13-10 in an open encounter to seal third place.

America finished in fifth place in the position playoffs with a 9-7 victory over Spain, whilst Brazil squeezed past Australia to take seventh place with a 9-8 win.

Sixteen teams from five continents took part in the competition, which takes place every year ending in an odd number, whilst the World Junior Championships for those 18 years old and younger takes place every other year.

Croatia's Ivan Marcelic won the honour of best goalkeeper at the tournament, whilst the top scorer award went to Kirill Rustamov of Uzbekistan with 23 goals.

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