Everything that the Montenegrin water polo players did in the previous seven days at the European Championship in Budapest was put to the test today in the quarterfinals - the rival is Italy, the current world champion, a team that usually quietly and unobtrusively comes to the biggest competition and often achieves the result it desires.
"Setebelo" and "sharks" know each other very well. The last time they played in major tournaments was at the 2017 World Cup, precisely in Budapest, when Vladimir Gojković's team won 5:4 in the fifth place match. A year before, at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Italy was better, twice - first in the group (6:5), and then in the duel for bronze (12:10).
Gojković: The most beautiful thing is coming
Montenegro's strength in this match (16:XNUMX p.m.) could be relief, the fact that it fulfilled its goal at the EP by reaching the quarterfinals, which earned it a visa for the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games.
- The desire was to enter the top eight. We're glad we did it, but now comes the best part. We are playing against the world champion, in a beautiful pool, I hope in front of full stands. We have nothing to lose, and we believe we can stand up to the Italians. We have to be at our best, or close to it, to win. In any case, we enter the match without fear - said Gojković.
Compared to the WC in South Korea, the Italians are stronger for Andrea Fondeli, Montenegro has less quality, primarily due to the retirement of Mlađan Janović.
- They have a top coach, Alessandro Kampanja, they are always at the top, with a recognizable style of play. We have to withstand their aggressiveness, to match them - said Gojković.
Gojković also referred to the impression left by his team in the first four matches, in which they defeated Slovakia, Germany and Turkey, and provided fierce resistance in the defeat against Croatia.
- I think we have a good group of guys, that they breathe together and that we progress as a team. If we organize as best we can, we have something to hope for against Italy - said Gojković.
Italy different from the rest
The best Aleksandar Ivović, both in defense and attack - that's what Montenegro needs to match the favorite in the quarterfinals.
- For nine years, I have been playing with almost all of their national team members, they are all top players. The team is well organized, it has an excellent coach. It is a difficult task before us, but if we close some of their characteristics, which are different from others, we can do something - says Ivović and adds:
- There is a lot of swimming, swimming in, blocks in transition in Italy's game. If we don't allow them easy goals from transition and counter-attack, we can draw the game and put pressure on them. They might expect to beat us easily, but I don't think it will be like that. We have played excellent defense so far, I hope we can continue like that and that we are ready for the best game - points out the Pro Reka ace.
11:10 Italy celebrated in the last mutual duel against Montenegro. It was in the European Cup in January last year
The rather convincing games of our selection so far in Budapest can be a good prelude to the derby, the winner of which will play in the semi-finals with the better team from tonight's duel between Hungary and Russia.
- We are playing well. I think the things we've been practicing are working, especially in positional defense. For the Italians, however, even more and even better is needed, especially here I mean the situations with the player more.
If we realize the chances at the beginning of the match, everything could look very good - concluded the best water polo player on the planet.
Campaign: Against Montenegro is always a real battle
Alessandro Kampanja has been fighting big duels with Montenegrin water polo players for a long time. He first did it as a coach of Greece, and has been on the bench of Italy for ten years.
- We are waiting for a duel against a team that plays very good water polo. Montenegro is motivated, with the changes compared to the World Cup in Kwangju, and now they are the right team - said the "setebela" selector.
He recalled many important matches between Montenegro and Italy.
- With Montenegrins it is always a real battle. They have outstanding players, a great coach and we have to be careful, but at the same time brave. For the semi-finals, we need an almost perfect match - the 56-year-old expert is clear.
Center Michel Bodega aims for the European title.
- We respect Montenegro, an experienced opponent who plays very aggressively. We came to Budapest for the title and I believe we have the quality to win it. Every player in the rotation is important and if we play as we know how, I think we are closer to reaching the semi-finals - said Bodega, a Frenchman in Italy's cap.
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