Water polo players ready for Paris, Gojković: We will respond to all challenges, worried about Spaić's injury

"Ajkule" will play their first game on Sunday against Croatia

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Photo: Orange Pictures/VPSCG
Photo: Orange Pictures/VPSCG
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Montenegrin water polo players will participate in the Olympic Games for the fifth time, in three cases they were within reach of a medal - they failed to win it even once, Paris is a new chance.

How realistic it is for the "sharks" to grab it right in the City of Light is a big question considering that they have not been at the top of the world water polo for years, as well as the last time they played in the semi-finals of the biggest competitions was four and a half years ago - at the European Championship in Budapest when they reached the bronze.

The water polo players will travel to Paris on Tuesday, and they will play their first match on Sunday when the rival is Croatia.

And the group itself could not be more difficult - in addition to the "barracuda", there are also rivals Greece, Italy, the United States of America and Romania, and the four first-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals.

"We are not going to Paris just to participate, even though it was not easy to get a visa for the Olympic Games. We want to enter the fight for a high ranking, but we have to understand that this is a tournament where the most important thing is to think only about the first next game. A win at the start would not guarantee anything, just as a loss would not mean elimination," said coach Vladimir Gojković at a press conference.

There are no strangers with Croatia.

"We've been getting it lately, but it's the current world champion and European vice-champion. Then we have matches with Greece, Italy and the United States of America, and finally Romania, when I hope we will confirm all the good things we have to do earlier," added Gojković.

The problem for Gojković five days before the premiere is the injury of center Vladan Spaić, who has problems with his shoulder.

"Everything else is as it should be, everyone is healthy," said the legendary Montenegrin water polo player.

Compared to the EP and WC, which were held at the beginning of the year, Montenegro will be weakened on the inconvenient side - without Drasko Brguljan, who retired, and Aleksa Ukropina, who was suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency.

"We chose the best, we have players that we believe can deliver what we envisioned. We have two months of preparation behind us, many preparatory games and good work, and I think we are ready to meet all the challenges. First of all, that we are mature enough to react psychologically as we should", said Gojković.

He also had a message for the president of the water polo and swimming association, Đur Marić, who due to health problems will not be in Paris to cheer on the water polo selection of our swimmers (Jovana Kuljača and Miloš Milenković).

"Unfortunately, he is not with us at this press conference and he will not be with us in Paris. I thank him for his efforts to provide us with the best conditions, especially in the last two months when it was the most difficult for him. I wish him a speedy recovery, things are getting better and I hope everything will be as it should be", concluded Gojković.

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