"Sharks" against the favorites and the black beast

The Montenegrin water polo team fought a fierce battle with all the European giants, winning big matches, losing as well...

However, she has not struggled against any opponent in all these years as she did in the duels with Croatia. The "sharks" often lost convincingly to the "barracudas" in major competitions, and the fact that they haven't defeated them in the biggest tournaments since 2010 and the EP in Zagreb probably says enough. Therefore, Croatia is a black beast for the Montenegrin national team, which has been waiting for a triumph since 2013, when it was better in the group stage of the World League...

Now it's time for a new derby, although now the role of Montenegro is different. The chosen ones Edge of Tucak are one of the favorites for the title at the European Championship in Budapest, therefore they are also the favorites of group A, which also includes Germany and Slovakia.

Gojković: They play the most modern water polo

Due to the obvious difference in quality and tradition on the opponent's side, the victory of Montenegro in tonight's clash (20.30:XNUMX p.m.) was a big surprise.

- Croatia is well covered in all positions and plays perhaps the most modern water polo - with a quick transition, through the centers that dominate. We know what we can expect, but we also know that the opponent belongs to the role of favorite - said the Montenegrin coach Vladimir Gojkovic.

At the start, Montenegro defeated Slovakia with a score of 15:4, and the Croats were convincing against Germany (17:9). It is clear that the winner of this game takes a huge step towards the first place in the group and a direct placement in the quarterfinals.

Defeat against Croatia would also mean that our team will play a decisive match for second place on Saturday against Germany. With a victory in it, he would avoid the Hungarians or the Spaniards in the playoff for placing among the top eight.

- If we know how to respond to their strengths, prevent easy goals and a large number of exclusions, we have a chance - says Gojković.

The last head-to-head match at the 2018 European Championship.

Aleksandar Ivović was a teammate with most of the Croatian aces throughout his career (now in Pro Rek he plays with Marko Bijač i Andro Bušlje), for all these years, he led many duels with "anchors" from the neighborhood at the representative level...

- Along with Serbia, Hungary, Italy and Spain, Croatia is the main favorite for the trophy at the European Championship. We have changed the composition compared to the last competition, but we do not need any special motivation besides knowing that we are playing against such a powerful team. The motive is of course huge, it's important that we find a way to stop their most lethal players. Their strongest links are the goalkeeper, defenders and centers, I hope we will make a proper analysis - said Ivović.

And the center Vladan Spaić respects Croatia.

- Two years ago in Barcelona we played a tough match with Croatia, uncertain until the very end. I believe that we can match even now, but the most important is the match with Germany in the last round. A win in that game most likely leads to an easier opponent in the round of XNUMX. We all know that reaching the quarterfinals is the main goal - emphasized Spaić.

The duel with the EP in Barcelona is also the last between the "sharks" and "barracudas". Croatia then celebrated in the quarter-finals 9:7, and later won the bronze medal...

Bukić: There are no secrets between us

Tonight, Croatia wants to eliminate any dilemma regarding the first place in the group and welcome the last round and quarterfinals in a winning rhythm. The team that wins the group would have two more days of rest than the teams that will compete in the round of XNUMX.

- The match against Montenegro is the most important in this part of the tournament, we know that it decides the first place. We know each other well, there are no secrets, but I expect victory - said the young Croatian water polo player Luka Bukić.

Croatian coach Ivica Tucak was satisfied with the team's performance against Germany, and expects it to be even better in the duel with Montenegro.

- We have to be at a higher level, the opponent demands it. The first goal is to win the group and it is clear to everyone that for that we need to celebrate in this duel - said Tucak, whose team will face Slovakia in the last round of Group A.