Hardly anything can be a surprise when it comes to water polo, but the last draw for the World Cup infuriated Croatia coach Ivica Tuck.
It is known that due to the scandal at the Olympic Games, Italy was suspended from this competition, so instead of 12, there will be 11 national teams.
As the International Federation of Water Sports (World Aquatics) decided to divide them all into four groups, the first three will have three selections each, while the fourth will have only two - Croatia and Georgia.
And to make everything more bizarre at the tournament, which will be held from January 7 to 12 in Romania, they will play two matches against each other so that they will probably have the same number of games as the other national teams.
"No one has ever encountered such a decision, such bizarreness and stupidity," Tucak was angry in his statement to RTL.
The trophy expert is particularly surprised why some of the selections did not jump in instead of Italy.
"At the very least, when you know you've disqualified Italy, you'll find the 12th team in some order. If you don't succeed, Georgia and we will be in the group, so we'll play one round and be free in the second," added Tucak.
Two national teams from each group go to the quarter-finals, so it is clear that Croatia and Georgia will also advance.
"What they are trying to do with this wonderful sport, I don't know if I can or am I allowed to comment anymore... Unfortunately, we are surrounded by people who neither love this sport, it seems to me, nor do they understand it and finally do not work for it good," said the former coach of Jadran.
At the World Cup tournament in Romania, Montenegro will also meet, and its rivals in the group will be Greece and Serbia. The best six will eventually qualify for the World League Superfinals, which will take place in April.
Make up groups
A: France, Spain, Hungary
B: Montenegro, Greece, Serbia
C: USA, Romania, Japan
D: Croatia, Georgia
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