Montenegrin water polo players had one good, average and desperate match in the group stage of the World Championship in Doha.
A convincing defeat by Serbia in the 2nd round (14:6) certainly marked the performance of the "sharks" in Doha so far, but later that same Serbia triumphed over the United States of America in the last round, helping our selection to reach second place and thus win an easier opponent in the round of XNUMX.
Everything that was in the group, both good and bad, is now somehow erased, the next game - against Romania - for the chosen ones Vladimir Gojković is as important as if it were a fight for a medal.
That's why there must be no hiding, 32 minutes follow, in which Montenegro is required to justify its role as the favorite and get a visa for the Olympic Games in Paris.
"In the first part of the tournament, we weren't up to par, nor did we play the way we wanted to. Recently, at the European Championship, we were good in the group, and then fell, so I hope it will be the other way around. We recorded two victories, but we are still hurting that defeat against Serbia," said the captain Petar Tesanovic.
Our national team has long lacked the quality and strength to be able to underestimate any opponent, not even the Romanians with whom it recently sparred in Bucharest and which it defeated almost a month ago at the European Championship in the battle for placing from 5th to 8th place. Then a routine victory was registered - 18:11, although Romania led 3:0...
Two days ago, Romania tormented Italy for three quarters, who missed five out of seven five-pointers in that match, and eventually succumbed as expected in a duel with one of the medal contenders.
"Romania has a certain quality and several good players. We will do everything to shut them down and I am sure that we will win and earn a visa for the Olympic Games," said Tešanović.
Center Vladan Spaić believes that against Romania everything depends on Montenegro.
"A quality opponent is waiting for us, but we are wondering. We need maximum focus to enter that game, to win it and secure our way to Paris. Our advantage is in swimming, pressing and transition - that's where we need to break the opponent so that the match does not go into an uncertain finish where one ball can decide," Spaić pointed out.
Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2021. The water polo national team has never missed a chance to be part of the Olympic Games, now it could happen to them in case Romania eliminates them in the fight for the quarter-finals of the World Cup and " spoil" already seen duel with Spain on Tuesday.
"It is an honor to be the captain of the national team, a selection that won numerous medals. We are missing the Olympics, it is the dream of all of us water polo players, but first we have to qualify. Now we only think about it at this moment," said Tešanović, the best link in our team and the goalkeeper who saved five five-pointers in the first round of the World Cup against the USA.
EIGHT FINALS
Sunday
Croatia - China 10.00
Australia - France 14.00
Montenegro - Romania 15.30
USA - Italy 17.00
QUARTERFINALS
Tuesday
Montenegro/Romania - Spain 14.00
Greece - USA/Italy 15.30
Serbia - Croatia/China 17.00
Hungary - Australia/France 18.30
Bonus video:
