From the special reporter of Vijesti
Today is a festive day at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the highlight of the festival at the very beginning - the opening ceremony, which will not be as glamorous as the previous ones, which will be held in front of empty stands, but which will remain in the memory of all participants.
Uroš Čučković experienced what it's like to be part of the parade in Rio 2016, and he is one of only four players from the water polo selection who has experience from the Games.
"It's nice to be a part of that spectacle, but we know what we came here for - to compete and fight," says Čučković.
The Olympic Games are rare, they wait a long time, it is prestigious to participate, let alone fight for a medal.
"Regardless of the prestige that the Games bring, for us this is, after all, just another tournament. This is just another 15 days in our careers, regardless of all the work we've put in throughout our careers. It is clear that these days define a lot, but they are just ordinary days at our work – training, matches, preparation... We should be the way we have been all these years in training and matches, to show the best we can. If our preparation is combined with the opportunity we have, I believe we can achieve a good result", points out Čučković.
The first opponent is Australia on Sunday from 8.30am our time (15.30pm Japan time).
"Australia is quality, unpleasant, but I think we are more experienced than them in some positions, that we played better in the more important matches. They have a good coach, Elvis Fatović, who has been with them for years. Maybe they are not as tactically strong as the European selections, but they have good centers - Younger has been in Pro Rec for years, Roach was also with us in Montenegro, there is also Campbell, who did not play as much in Europe, but is very dangerous... They have their trump cards , but we can against them. We hope for a good game first of all, and then a victory".
The match with Australia is important, because it is the first, even more important, because it can already open the door to the quarterfinals from a group in which there are still outsiders Kazakhstan, and the superpowers of Serbia, Croatia and Spain.
"It would be great to start with a win, Australia and Kazakhstan are the teams we have to win, but we don't put any burden on impretives. We go match by match, we know who is in our group", Čučković points out.
Optimism is built on good games and results since January 2019 and bronze from the European Championship. The team has matured, growing from match to match.
"The young people brought some new energy, along with us elders, especially with Draško and Leka. On the other hand, we have ten debutants, with whom we cannot threaten anyone, but our game in the last year and a half, as well as our togetherness, show that we can deal with everyone", Čučković concluded.
Bonus video:
