It was not as exciting as two months ago in Budapest, but in another duel with Georgia, the Montenegrin water polo players could see for themselves that every moment of inattention or relaxation can be fatal at major competitions.
Fortunately, at the opening of the European Championship in Split, there were many more positive than negative segments in the game, so the "sharks" started the way they wanted - with a victory.
They celebrated 14:11, it seemed that they would be even more convincing (they led 14:9, had a "one to zero" lead for 15:9), although the final difference is not so important after our selection at one point in the third quarter even and feared for the triumph.
"We are satisfied with the victory and the excellent opening of the match, later in the second part we got tired. It is important that we celebrated, now we turn to Slovakia," said coach Vladimir Gojković.
The first half was almost perfect offensively, with only one unused attack with an extra player - Gojković's team had a five-goal advantage, leading 9:4, and then...
It was followed by a drop in the third quarter, as well as in some matches of the World Cup, as well as in duels in the final tournament of the World League - Georgia knew how to use it, came to only a minus goal and had an attack to equalize.
When she didn't use it (Fabio Baraldi hit the crossbar), Montenegro knew how to punish it - Miroslav Perković, Konstantin Averka, Vladan Spaić, and again Averka from the box, in just 139 seconds apart, hit the net for a sure 13:8 in favor our selection.
The fear then passed, the "sharks" regained their confidence before Dejan Lazović's goal, and there seemed to be no strength for better reactions in the attack.
"We played well in the first half, we had a high advantage. Later on, we relaxed a bit, we tried hasty shots. I did that too, but it could have gone over our heads," pointed out double scorer Aleksa Ukropina.
Averka was the most effective with four goals, and in addition to Ukropina, Spaić, Perković and captain Marko Petković scored two goals each.
Dušan Matković and Bogdan Đurđić also shook the Georgian net.
The next rival is the underdog Slovakia - on Wednesday at 14 p.m. Slovaks were defeated by Italy 21:9 today.
"At the start, the most important triumph is always, because in addition to the rival, you also need to get used to the pool, to "feel" the ball, the environment... We can be satisfied, the result is good, now we continue. Step by step, first Slovakia. We will take it as seriously as possible," said Spaić.
The game of Montenegro was praised by Jovan Sarić, our former national team player, now the trump card of the Georgians.
"Montenegro is better than at the World Cup, stronger for Spaić and Ukropina, who brought experience and quality. I think it is also more prepared compared to Budapest, because it was very aggressive in this match," said Sarić, who gave one goal, and that from the box.
MONTENEGRO - GEORGIA 14:11 (5:3, 4:2, 4:3, 3:1)
Split - "Spalladium Arena". Spectators: 200. Judges: Margeta (Slovenia), Kovač (Hungary). Player more: Montenegro 9 (5), Georgia 10 (7). Peterci: Montenegro 1 (1), Georgia 2 (1).
Montenegro: Lazović (12 saves and five goals), Murišić, Radović, Averka 4, Banićević, Popadić, Perković 2, Đurđić 1, Ukropina 2, Spaić 2, Matković 1, Petković 2, Tešanović.
Georgia: Razmadze, Vapenski 3, Dadvani, Shushiashvili 1, Bitadze 1, Jelacha 5, Tkeshelashvili, Saric 1, Imnaishvili, Magrakvelidze, Baraldi, Vasic, Shubladze (four saves).
Bonus video:
