From the special reporter "Vijesti"
As if only yesterday it became clearer how close the Montenegrin water polo players were to knocking down the big favorite and advancing to the semi-finals of the World Championship.
Some will say that it was missing a little, some a little more, but Spain won (7:6) through a duel in which one detail made the difference. Only one... It's less important whether it's Blai Maljarah's masterful goal in the finish or the crossbar hit by Bogdan Đurđić 20 seconds before the end in the last rush of the "Sharks".
The duel the night before last at the "Alfred Hajoš" swimming pool, as well as the remaining four at this WC, showed that the Montenegrin water polo players did not travel to Budapest with an alibi for a possible failure, because anyone who looks at the picture realistically will understand that at this moment at least five teams in the world have extra quality in relation to Montenegro. Among them is Spain, as well as today's rival Serbia (14.30:XNUMX p.m.).
CREATING A CHAMPION IS A PROCESS
Although a part of the public will always ask the national team to go all the way in major competitions, to fight for medals and to win them, this is the time when coach Vladimir Gojković and the coaching staff have only one obligation - that of the boys aged 19, 21 , continue to create champions for 23 years.
The task is not easy, there are no guarantees, but this World Championship and the August European Championship in Split are ideal tournaments for this young team to speed up the maturation process through big competitions and duels with big teams.
And precisely because of that experience, which the "sharks" obviously lack, the next two games in Budapest are very important.
In them, they can break through the attacking barrier, for Marko Mršić and Uroš Vučurović to relax, for Konstantin Averka to start showing that he is a reinforcement, for Vasilije Radović to shine...
THERE MUST BE A MOTIVE
"I hope the players will understand the message, which is that the match with Serbia is extremely important for us. Serbia is a big team, and few of our players were fifth in the world. So we have to have a motive, even though it is not easy to play after losing in the quarterfinals in a match in which you were close to triumph," said Gojković.
Spain made it to the semi-finals.
"I didn't have that impression immediately after the match, and after watching the video I concluded that we were really close to winning. I am satisfied with the great energy and the defense, which was exceptional. We lacked moves in attack, especially in the first two quarters, but we have to let's forget and turn to what's next. Serbia has also made a lot of changes, it didn't show any form here and we need to be a group - to swim well and gain an advantage against players who are great masters in the one-on-one game," Gojković is clear. .
FIFTH OR EIGHTH? IT'S NEVER THE SAME
Now it's a matter of prestige and motivation in the duel between Montenegro and Serbia - the team that overcomes elimination in the quarterfinals more easily will be closer to victory.
"Serbia has changed its composition compared to the Olympic Games, but it is still a top team. I give it the role of a slight favorite because of its experience, but the team that has a greater desire will celebrate," says Uroš Vučurović.
The motive for the continuation of the SP must not be in question.
"It is not the same to be fifth or eighth. We hoped to fight for a medal, but it is imperative for us to finish as fifth, to celebrate in both matches until the end. Serbia is the first obstacle, I believe we can overcome it".
Dušan Matković believes in the system and work that the "sharks" have.
"Against Spain, and even in some earlier games, we showed that we are close to the best selections. We lack experience and in the coming period we could be fully competitive," Matković points out.
SCHEDULE
SEMI-FINALS
Italy - Greece 16.00
Spain - Croatia 19.30
FROM 5TH TO 8TH PLACE
Montenegro - Serbia 14.30
Hungary - USA 21.00
FROM 9TH TO 12TH PLACE
Australia - South Africa 17.00
Japan - Georgia 8.30
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