From the special reporter "Vijesti"
Japan knew how to make the Montenegrin water polo players suffer, at the final World League tournament in Chelyabinsk nine years ago, even beating them, but they have no alibi on the way to the quarterfinals of the World Championship.
The "Sharks" will play a duel with the Japanese tomorrow at 14:19.30 p.m., if they justify their role as favorites, they will schedule a clash with Spain - on Wednesday from XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
Behind Montenegro, there are three games in the group in which it left a solid impression - quite good in the defeat against Hungary (12:8), then it feared and defended the victory over Georgia (10:9), and yesterday, routinely, with as many as 20 points goals, was better than Brazil (20:5).
Uroš Čučković, one of the most experienced in our team, knows Japan better than most of his teammates.
"Japan is always unpleasant and you can never predict some things. One match is easy, then some were uncertain as a result, there were also defeats... I think we are ready and that with real calmness in front of the rival's goal we can expect victory." , said the "shark" quarterback.
Atypical water polo, with a lot of swimming and "jumping" cultivated by Japan, requires special attention.
"In this tournament, even against stronger rivals in the first two quarters - as long as they can withstand their own pace and pressure - the Japanese were there as a result. We have to be careful here, and to impose our own rhythm in the sequel and pave the way to triumph", he pointed out. is Čučković and looked back on the previous World Cup matches:
"There were fluctuations, but we can be satisfied, especially with the younger players. Of course, they lack experience, but this is also a great tournament for them, they just need to continue like this. He also used that match with Georgia - I told the boys that maybe it's a good thing that we had such an uncertain duel," Čučković added.
Japan is the next rival, but Spain is also around the corner if they pass the first step of the knockout phase.
"Spain is also on my mind, but now everything is subordinated to Japan because I really think it's a big game for this team. Only then about the Spaniards, who in my opinion are the biggest favorites for the title," Čučković concluded.
PAIRS OF THE EIGHT FINALS
Montenegro - Japan 14.00
Georgia - Croatia 15.30
Italy - Australia 17.00
South Africa - USA 18.30
QUARTERFINALS
Greece - South Africa/USA 13.00
Serbia - Georgia/Croatia 16.00
Spain - Montenegro/Japan 19.30
Hungary - Italy/Australia 21.00
Bonus video:
