The wait has come to an end - Montenegrin water polo players are finally starting the fight for qualifying for the Olympic Games.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic that broke out at the beginning of last year, the qualifying tournament - then scheduled for March - was canceled, and 11 months later it is time to settle accounts.
"Sharks", officially the third team in Europe, are chasing one of the first three places on the way to Tokyo, and their first opponent on the way is Turkey, probably the weakest selection at the tournament in Rotterdam.
"Finally, the moment has come to fight for the Olympic Games, after almost a year of waiting. We are living the dream of going to Tokyo and I am sure that we have the quality to win the OI. In the first match against Turkey, we are the absolute favorites," said defender Vlado Popadić.
Four teams from the group go to the quarterfinals. Montenegro aims for the first position in order to have an open path to the semi-finals.
"In the group, everything revolves around the duel with Greece. It is the main rival for first place, which also brings an easier rival to the quarterfinals. We know the Greeks very well, we recently played against them in Debrecen, we are aware of their strength. We worked on to correct the mistakes from the previous mutual match," Popadić pointed out.
He also referred to the strict rules of the tournament.
Thus, due to the coronavirus pandemic, FINA pointed out that - in the event that three people from the expedition test positive during the tournament (players, coaching staff or another person from the expedition), that national team will be immediately disqualified from the competition.
"The conditions are similar to the World League tournament in Debrecen, where we also had rigorous controls and tests for the coronavirus. We are doing everything to be ready," says Popadić, a member of the French Pa d'Aix.
Center Vladan Spaić has been questionable for the qualifying tournament in recent days due to a shoulder injury.
He traveled with the team and is a great reinforcement for Vladimir Gojković's team.
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"We are ready, the important thing is that we all tested negative for the coronavirus and that we can dedicate ourselves to the tournament. Turkey - to enter as seriously and motivated as possible and to try to use that match as preparation for the next duels," says Spaić.
Greece - the first big duel is only on Wednesday in the 4th round. Until then, the "sharks" have to justify their role as favorites against weaker rivals.
"We don't underestimate anyone, but we have to be aware of our quality. There are eight matches in the same number of days, so on paper the easier matches should be used in the right way so that some players who spend more time get some time to rest and wait for the end game fresh tournament," concluded the Marseille anchor.
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