From the special reporter "Vijesti"
Spain, Hungary, Greece, Croatia, not necessarily in that order, were the selections that before the Olympic Games had the role of favorites in the fight for a medal at the water polo tournament.
It was also known that Serbia, Montenegro, the United States of America, maybe Australia and France, which as the host had great ambitions, are in the second row of candidates for the award. It was also known that the tournament is never stronger, that it is not easy to predict anything...
After almost two weeks of the tournament, which was played in two swimming pools, "Aquatic Center" and "Defons Arena", it was time for the final match - the battle for gold in the City of Light, which starts today at 14 p.m., and the teams that had so many oscillations in the group stage that no one could have imagined that they would meet on the last day of the OI and decide on the most illustrious medal.
Serbia vs. Croatia, a classic of European and world water polo, a duel between great rivals who have had so many important duels in recent years - this is followed by a replay of the final of the Games from 2016, when the "dolphins" convincingly won 11:7.
Serbia is attacking for the third gold in a row (after Rio, they also rejoiced in Tokyo three years ago), while Croatia dreams of a second title in the third final in 2024. After winning the European silver as the host in January, and then the world gold in Doha in February...
And after everything seen, who is the favorite in the final, can it be estimated? It was difficult... Both giants were ranked fourth in the group - Serbia easily lost to Australia and Hungary, fought against the hosts to even reach the quarter-finals, Croatia was outplayed in duels with the Italians and the Americans. Before she shined... "Barracudas" had to go the hard way - in the quarter-finals they were better than the first favorite Spain, and in the semi-final than (according to many) the second favorite - Hungary.
- Through life, I always go the harder way. That is my destiny - said the Croatian coach Ivica Tucak.
- The Serbs will not blame me, but I think that the team that eliminates Spain and Hungary on the way to the final deserves to take the gold - added the trophy expert from Šibenik.
Croats were Olympic champions once in history, 12 years ago in London under command Ratko Rudić. Right after those Games, the legendary coach was succeeded by Tucak, who secured the 10th medal from the biggest competitions in Paris.
- It is not very easy to give a recipe by which we could overcome Serbia. It is a quality team, led by top class players - Nikola Jakšić i Dušan Mandić, in my opinion the best water polo player in the world. By entering the third final this year, we showed what quality we have and no matter how it ends - we can be proud. However, we give everything for the gold - said the Croatian goalkeeper Marko Bijač.
Serbia, on the other hand, after the departure of the great aces (after Tokyo), had its ups and downs, but it is still there - ready to show that it has the strength to survive in the top of the world water polo. The World Cup in Fukuoka showed that last year, when the "dolphins" played in the semi-finals. They were sixth at the EP, and seventh at the WC...
- We all believe that we can win gold. It is important that we play like in the last three games in the tournament. We still haven't done what we came for, because we're not defending the gold here - we're attacking it, because we're a new team - said Jakšić.
Serbia benefited from the 4th place in the group (behind Spain, Australia and Hungary), because it sent them to the easier part of the draw. Thus, in the quarter-finals she played against Greece, and in the semi-finals against the USA - teams that are top-notch, but far from invincible...
- There is not much to say - this is a classic of world water polo. The games from the previous games encourage us that we are on the right path, but in the final something more is always needed - he is clear Miloš Ćuk.
And from 10.35:XNUMX a.m. there is a fight for bronze - Hungary and the USA meet.
The Hungarians won bronze three years ago in Tokyo, and are aiming for their 17th Olympic medal, while the "Yankees" want their seventh medal (they have three silver and bronze each).
Bonus video:
