The clock has ticked for the seventh appearance of Montenegrin water polo players at the world championships.
Budapest, a full "Alfred Hajoš" swimming pool, giants among rivals..., all this awaits the young Montenegrin team in the next two weeks in the capital of Hungary.
And she has to prove that she is ready to deal with the pressure imposed by a big competition, because the reputation of the "sharks" in the world of water polo is not small - even though they are not among the favorites for a medal, they have something to fight for, they have something to defend...
Montenegro opens the tournament against Hungary (tomorrow at 21:XNUMX) and that match is both a trap and a great chance for the inexperienced team led by Vladimir Gojković - with four debutants and as many players who have only seriously "stepped" into the senior selection - to show that it has not only potential, but also a certain quality.
ĐURĐIĆ: WE CAN'T WAIT
Bogdan Đurđić is one of those in the Montenegrin team who can play on experience at the World Cup.
"We can't wait for the World Cup to start. We played two matches with Hungary this year and we know that they are a top team, that they have excellent shooters. In those two games in the World League, we did not do well against the opponent's zone and that is something we are worked. I believe it will be different now, even though they beat us smoothly in both duels. We want to be tied against the favorites for a long time, we hope for a positive result," said Budvanin, who spent last season in Crvena Zvezda.
After the Hungarians, the rivals are Georgia and Brazil - teams against which our national team should have no problems. But the role of the favorite must now be taken much more seriously than before.
"Hungary cannot be threatened and the result is not the most important thing in that game. It is important that we play well, that we start the championship properly, because that introduction to the competition is very important, especially for such a young team like ours," said Đurđić.
POPADIĆ: TO DISRUPT THE FAVORITE
Hungary is an inspiring rival in its own right - it's always been that way, and the motivation is even greater when playing in its pool.
The spectacle is guaranteed, everyone in the "shark" camp knows that they will have five thousand fanatical fans against them, along with a great rival.
"We were impatiently waiting for the tournament to start, and the most difficult task awaits us at the opening. We know what the Hungarians are like, especially as the hosts, the pool will be full... All this goes into the hands of our opponent, but we are also ready to disrupt them. "We don't want to allow them to play their game and we have to insist on that from the first minute. We know them, they know us, we played twice and I don't believe she can be a stranger," points out defender Vlado Popadić.
A win in the opener would be sensational.
"Against this kind of Hungary, a triumph would mean a lot. It would give us confidence, practically take us to the quarterfinals. We'll see, we can't threaten, but we can prove our worth in the pool," Popadić said clearly.
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