If the Montenegrin water polo players had beaten Italy in the derby two days ago, today's clash with Georgia would have been just one in a row and the last in the group, a match that brings absolutely nothing but prestige.
In this way, after a hard-earned point against "Azure", the duel with the Georgians has more importance than anyone believed - Ranko Perović's team must chase the goal difference from the first second in the water of the "Alfred Hajoš" pool, to try to overcome a modest opponent. as convincing as possible...
Of course, it is expected that Italy will defeat Greece tonight (19:1) and that then our team and the Italians will have the same number of points. "Sharks" currently have a goal difference four goals lower than "Azure", but also a high percentage of chances to win XNUMXst place in the end and place in the semi-finals.
"The key to the duel with Georgia is to play in the attack like in the matches with Greece, Russia and Romania. We have to be calm, composed, we must not rush and create problems for ourselves. We have to create the result with a good and patient game. That's the only way, with an emphasis on defense, we can record a triumph with a bigger margin," said Montenegro defender Predrag Jokić.
Crepulja and Elez lead the Georgians
However, the Georgians have several attackers who can certainly upset the plans.
There is former player of Primorje Damir Crepulja, ex-members of Jadran Marko Elez and Marko Jelača, and robust center Marino Franičević, former player of Budva...
And the selector knows our water polo opportunities very well - he is Jovan Popović from Kotor.
"It won't be easy, because they also showed a certain quality. Two quarters with Italy were two points apart. We mustn't expect an easy job, because they want to show themselves in the best possible light," said Jokić.
Mišić: We are smart enough to solve this
Center of Montenegrin water polo players Saša Mišić knows the strength of his team.
"It would have been better if we had solved the issue of the first place in the group against Italy, but what is there is. I think it is as good as this, considering how the match with an excellent opponent unfolded. It is true that the meeting with Georgia is early in the morning, but we have to react. We are smart enough to do it as seriously and professionally as possible. We cannot afford to make a mistake now and go to the quarterfinals, because it is a much more difficult path to fight for a medal. But this team has a lot of experienced players who have been and in more difficult situations than this," Mišić pointed out.
The player who, together with Filip Klikovec, covers the center position in Ranko Perović's team also reflected on what Montenegro has done so far in Budapest.
"I think everything has been good so far. The only thing was that the attack functioned a bit less well against Italy. It's normal for a drop to happen. It was hard to believe that you could maintain such a good rhythm, and not be under pressure like in the first three games. Fortunately, , we didn't pay dearly for that drop in the game. Nikola Janović scored a goal 15 seconds before the end for a draw and I think we are now much closer to first place than Italy," concluded Mišić, a 26-year-old from Novlja.
Popović: There will be emotions
Georgia coach Jovan Popović will not be on the bench today due to his suspension in the match against Russia, but he admitted that the match against Montenegro is different from all the others.
"I am meeting Montenegro for the first time. There are emotions, although I will not lead the team from the bench because I received a red card, so it is a little easier for me. As for us, we are a team with a shorter bench, I only have four players of slightly higher quality , these are my "foreigners". All the others are average players. However, they have shown that they can play, and to tell you the truth, I am satisfied that we came to the European Championship. You must know that there is no championship in Georgia, we have collected and made a result. We all know who Montenegro is in world water polo. We are outsiders, we will play to show that we know how to play. We will think of Montenegro in any case," said Popović.
Georgia coach Jovan Popović
Today's match is also special for Damir Crepulja, who was on the wider list of the Montenegrin national team a few years ago.
Also, Crepulja was a member of Primorje when Kotorani became the champions of Europe and knows most of the "Sharks" players and coaching staff.
"This match means a lot to Montenegro, but not to us. Realistically, we know who is the absolute favorite. We will try to show ourselves in the best possible light. This is our first time playing in a big competition. There will be emotions, this is a much different match compared to to the others. But I'm a professional, I have to do this job, I accept that completely normally," said Crepulja.
The fight between Croatia, Serbia and Spain
With four victories in Group B, Hungary took care of all worries about placing in the semi-finals of the European Championship, so tonight's match with Croatia means practically nothing.
On the other hand, the "barracudas", Serbia and Spain will decide in the last round which two teams will secure placement among the top six.
Croatia is in the best position, because it can only be relegated if it loses against Hungary and the clash between Serbia and Spain is tied.
Every second result leads Ivica Tucak's team to the quarterfinals...
Serbia complicated things with a defeat against Hungary and a draw against the Croats, but everything still depends on them, because it is calculated that the quality must emerge in the duel with the unpleasant "fury".
"We're going for the win, without the desire to calculate," said "dolphin" coach Dejan Savić.
Before the last round, Croatia has eight points, Serbia and Spain have seven each. The second-placed team from group B will play against the third-placed team from group A in the quarter-finals.
The winner of that duel would go to Montenegro in the semi-finals, but under the condition that the "sharks" win 1st place in group A today. If Ranko Perović's team does what is expected, they will rest until Friday...
The match between Italy and Greece (tonight at 19:XNUMX) can also change a lot. If the Hellenes win, they would win second place, and then the Azzurri would fall to third place.
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