The combined water polo team of Montenegro, composed mainly of players from domestic clubs, was defeated in a friendly match by Croatia in Zagreb 9:8 (2:1, 2:4, 3:1, 2:2).
The "Sharks" had a chance to avoid defeat, maybe even to win, but they failed.
The decision was made in the last minute - 46 seconds before the end, Ivan Domagoj Zović launched an attack with an extra player, so that Vladimir Gojković's players made a mistake in their final attack and missed the chance to launch an attack with a numerical advantage.
There was a chance even with the score 8:8 in the penultimate minute - first Marko Petković hit the post, and after a miss by Loren Fatović, Uroš Vučurović lost the ball in a great situation and then committed a foul for exclusion...
Aljoša Mačić, Dušan Banićević and Marko Mršić each scored two goals for Montenegro, and Petković and Dušan Matković scored one each.
Slaven Kandić saved eight shots, and Petar Tešanović saved two.
Ivan Krapić, Marko Žuvela and Andrija Bašić each scored twice for the home team, and the goalkeepers had 12 saves - Marko Bijač nine, Toni Popović three.
"Ajkule" will still be in Zagreb tomorrow, where they will train with Ivica Tuck's team.
CROATIA - MONTENEGRO 9:8 (2:1, 2:4, 3:1, 2:2)
Zagreb - Swimming pool by the Sava. Referees: Šketelj and Jović (Croatia). More players: Croatia 12 (5), Montenegro 8 (1). Peterci: Montenegro 1 (1).
Croatia: Bijač (nine saves), Fatović 1, Krapić 2, Butić, Lazić, Vukičević, Dužević, Zović 1, Žuvela 2, Penava, Bašić 2, Popadić (three saves), Biljaka 1.
Montenegro: Kandić (eight saves), Mršić 2 (1), Vučurović, Petković 1, Mačić 2, Popadić, Murišić, V. Radović, Ćetković, Spaić, Matković, Banićević 2, Tešanović (two saves), D. Radović.
Bonus video:
