Tucak: It could have been worse; Krivokapić: We know the favorites

The two Montenegrin teams in the second phase of the Euroleague will have a very difficult path to the final four - Jadran and Budva M:tel will play in the same group, together with Jug and Partizan, which, it can already be concluded, are the favorites for placing among the four the best teams.

Before the draw, Jadran had only one wish (to avoid Pro Reko) and that is a mitigating circumstance, but the Novljan team certainly did not expect to run into Jug and Partizan, two giants of European water polo.

Budva, on the other hand, did not demand much from the drum in Rome, but it is clear that there is not much reason to be satisfied. The current champion of Montenegro opens the second phase against Partizan in Igalo, while Budva will visit the Jug team in Dubrovnik. The first matches will be played on February 16.

Tucak: It could have been better, but worse. The Jadran expedition found out the results of the draw at the Dubrovnik airport on the way to Zagreb, where tomorrow it will play against Medveščak in the 11th round of the Adriatic League.

- It could have been better or worse, but this is a group in which we can play against anyone. When I say that it could have been better, that would mean that we avoided Partizan, and it would have been worse if Pro Reko had come to us. Therefore, this group is quite balanced, anyone can beat anyone - said Novljan's coach Ivica Tucak.

It is already clear that the most important match for Jadran will be at the very start - with Partizan at home.

- The first match with Partizan is definitely the most important for us. We have to go for the win here, because if we celebrate it would certainly boost our morale even more, since then we have two away games. In any case, in the continuation of the competition, Jadran will play without any imperative, but with the desire to go as far as possible - said Tucak.

Budvani only promises to fight to the end

Budva definitely could not go higher in the draw, because it was already known that it could not be in the same group with Pro Rek again. The thing is, the people of Budva know who the favorites are, but they don't think that everything is over, because in six matches at this stage everything is possible.

- We were realistic, that's why we didn't even give any forecasts, because whoever came to us would be very difficult. This is how it is, this group is very strong, and it is clear that Jug and Partizan are the favorites to place among the four best teams in Europe. South traditionally does not lie to Budva, Partizan is also a giant, with whom we did not celebrate last year, while Jadran is a pleasant surprise of the Euroleague, a very strong host. However, this does not mean that we give up in advance, I am sure that we have something to show - said coach Veselin Krivokapić.

GROUP AJUGJADRANPARTIZANBUDVA M: TEL

GROUP BPRIMOREJEMLADOSTPRO REKOVAŠ