The Montenegrin water polo players were not in a situation to calculate in the group stage and choose an opponent for the quarter-finals of the European Championship, and the question will remain unanswered whether it was Italy who "drawn" the results in group B and chose the "sharks" as a rival on the way to the semi-finals .
Anyway, it's time for another in a series of clashes between Montenegro and Italy, which tonight (20.15:5 p.m.) will send one team to fight for a medal, and the other to a playoff from 8th to XNUMXth place.
Montenegro has not defeated "Setebelo" for three years, losing to the team Alessandra Campanje in all major competitions, as well as in the World League, and twenty days ago at the "Sardinia Cup" in Cagliari as part of the preparations for the European Championship.
Tradition, therefore, is not an ally of the chosen ones Vladimir Gojković, the role of favorite goes to the opponent, but our national team does not have many reasons to fear Italy. Especially since in recent days in Dubrovnik, he showed that he can create problems for Spain, and force the host Croatia to "activate" the help of the referees in order to avoid defeat in the regular part...
- The main part of the European Championship has started, we are ready and focused on everything that follows. We raised the level of the game as the tournament progressed and I believe that we are in the right shape for the duel with the Italians, which depends on whether we will fight for a medal or not - said the center Vladan Spaić, who missed the round of 16 match against Germany due to red cards in the match with Croatia.
Montenegro defeated France 20:19 in the five-a-side group, then lost to Spain 14:12, then was better than Croatia, also after the five-a-side (15:13). That was enough for third place, then she was better than the Germans, so she secured her appearance at the World Championship in Doha, which starts already on February 5.
And what was Italy doing? She opened the tournament with a convincing victory over Georgia (22:5), showed her power against Greece (15:8), and two days later showed total powerlessness in the clash with Hungary, which won 10:5. Plus five was enough for the Hungarians to reach the first position. The general opinion is that the Azzurri calculated, that they fell to second place on purpose in order to avoid Serbia in the quarter-finals and wait for the match with Montenegro.
- We saw that Italy lost to Hungary, but we didn't think about it. We were playing our game, and we don't care if someone calculates or not. I know that we enter every match the same, strong and motivated, with the desire to triumph. That's the only way for us - Spaić pointed out.
The "anchor" of Marseille reflected on the recently played preparatory duel in Cagliari.
- It was a good match, we were defeated by five points, but both teams were incomplete. We couldn't hide anything from each other in Cagliari, the teams know each other well. I believe that an uncertain match awaits us and that the details will decide the winner - added Spaić.
Djuro Radovic calls on the "sharks" not to respect the opponent.
- The primary goal has been achieved, we will play in the World Championship and we are among the eight best in Europe. We know Italy well, we recently played in the preparations, but that match is not a true picture. The most important thing is to stop their individual quality, to stop counterattacks, as well as to enter aggressively and without respect - Radović is clear.
Did Italy really calculate to reach the match with Montenegro...
- The defeat of Italy against Hungary did surprise us, but it doesn't change anything. We are preparing for the quarterfinals, I think we are improving our form from match to match and that is our advantage - concluded the Jadran water polo player from Split.
Campaign: Montenegro came close to what Italy is playing
Montenegro and Italy are great opponents from the biggest competitions, the rivalry continues in Zagreb... "setebela" coach Alessandro Kampanja is very cautious before the duel with "sharks", especially after the performance of our selection in the group stage against France, Spain and Croatia.
- Montenegro came close to what Italy is playing. In Dubrovnik, she showed a dynamic game, with a lot of counterattacks, speed in exchanging the ball, a lot of mobility... We will have to pay special attention in order to use our advantages. The defense must be a better part of the team, because when we are good in front of our goal, then we are calmer in attack too - said Kampanja and added:
- We should forget what happened in the group, the duels with the Greeks and Hungarians are behind us. The most important matches of the tournament are ahead of us, and we came here to play until the end. In order to fulfill that, we have to be better than what was the case until now - said Kampanja.
Goalkeeper Marco del Lungo characterized the defeat against Hungary as a slap in the face at the right moment.
"That match must be forgotten. It was a wrong step, a slap that immediately brought us back to reality, because it showed that we can play below any level. Montenegro is at a serious level at the moment, they will want a game with a lot of swimming and rhythm, and we have to be ready for that," said Italy's goalkeeper Marco del Lungo.
Schedule
Quarterfinals
15.00 Hungary - Serbia
16.30 Spain - Romania
18.30 Croatia - Greece
20.15h Italy - Montenegro
Bonus video:
