His story among the "sharks" began in 2013, when the then coach Ranko Perović slowly started to include him in the national team of Montenegro as the great hope of Budva. Two years later Dejan Lazović at the World Championship in Kazan, he was already part of a big competition and since then he has impressed with his defenses, and two European medals shone around his neck...
He kept the goal of our national team for a little more than a decade, and now he hinted that the story has come to an end - and that in a moment when he was chosen as the best water polo player of Montenegro.
"Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028? Really difficult. I think my career in the national team is over in Paris. The club will last for a few more years," said Lazović after receiving the award for the best in 2024 at the ceremony of the Water Polo and Swimming Association of Montenegro. .
Right before the Games in Paris, the Montenegrin goalkeeper wore the "shark" cap for the 200th time, and he received the award for the best water polo player in his homeland two years ago.
He won two medals with Montenegro, both from the European championships - silver and bronze in 2016 and 2020. He also has gold from the World League in 2018.
Lazović pointed out that he had an excellent club season with the Trieste team, and that everyone expected more from the Games in Paris.
"Unfortunately, it didn't end as we hoped. The young guys are coming with the new coach Dejan Savić and I hope that the Olympic cycle to Los Angeles could be very good for us," added Lazović.
He also commented on the selection of the new "Ajkuk" coach.
"Savić is a big name, one of the biggest in the world of water polo. It is unnecessary to talk about what he has done and won. I am sure that we have a bright future with him," Lazović is clear.
Srdjan's year
And while Lazović is ending his career, the son of his former teammate Nikola Janović is slowly becoming part of the "sharks" - Srđan Janović, the captain of the junior team that won European silver, is the best young water polo player in Montenegro.
At the championship in Burgas, he was declared the best player of the tournament, and he was also a member of the under-18 team that won a bronze medal from the World Championship in Argentina, while he won the domestic title and the Cup of Montenegro with Primorje.
Janović was also declared the best young athlete by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee yesterday.
"Such recognitions mean a lot and it is an honor that I was chosen as the best young water polo player and athlete of Montenegro. During this year, at the European Championship in Burgas and the World Championship in Argentina, we confirmed that this generation can do a lot and that a lot is rightly expected of it. I can also be satisfied with the results in the club, we won the championship, recently the Cup," Janović pointed out.
He also commented on the fact that he has a famous water polo surname.
"It is not a burden for me, but an additional incentive to train even harder," Janović said clearly, with the message that the new generations have quality and that if they continue to work, they can bring the European gold to Montenegro again.
Jovana and Miloš are the best swimmers, special recognition for Marić
VPSCG also chose the best swimmers, namely Jovana Kuljača and Miloš Milenković for 2024.
This year, Jovana was part of the Olympic Games for the first time, and in Paris she won the qualifying race, which, however, was not enough for her to qualify for the semi-finals.
Milenkovic also made his debut at the Games, but the year will also be remembered for numerous national records, which he broke in both the senior and junior competitions.
He ended 2024 with a new record in Budapest, at the World Championship in small pools, as well as gold and a new national record at the meeting in Switzerland.
A special award was given to the former president of the VPSCG, Đur Marić, for the successful functioning of the Association and his significant contribution to the results achieved during his mandate.
Milić: Sharks for pride, special attention for swimming
Nikola Milić, president of VPSCG, highlighted the successes of water polo players from the small base that Montenegro has.
"Our sharks achieved results that make us all proud - three major competitions in eight months and another Olympic visa, the fifth in history. And our pride is even greater when we look at the younger generations: three competitions, three semi-finals and two medals. From this small but immensely talented country, we are sending a message to the world that with work, dedication and faith, dreams that seem impossible can come true," Milić pointed out.
He emphasized that two clubs in the Champions League (Primorac and Jadran) testify that the future of water polo is bright, while the new senior team in Podgorica, through Budućnost, confirms that water polo is winning hearts all over Montenegro.
He announced greater attention to swimming...
"We want to dedicate a special one to him, because he is the basis of all water sports. Increasing the base, improving the infrastructure and motivating children to sail into this world are our goals," concluded Milić.
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