A good first quarter, a decline in the second and many missed chances for Hungary to catch up in the third...
The Montenegrin water polo players were defeated in the 2nd round of the European Championship in Belgrade (13:10), the match was decided long before the end, although the "sharks" showed at certain moments that they could come back.
"The fact is that we suffered a defeat. The match was difficult in itself, we shouldn't have allowed the Hungarians to take advantage so easily from counterattacks, we didn't position ourselves well in the temporary defense. They took advantage of everything and scored many goals that were difficult to catch up with later," said Dušan Matković.
The Kotor native, who plays for Jadran Split, was Montenegro's most efficient player in the match.
"My goals are less important, it's more important that the team had an awakening at one point, but unfortunately we didn't manage to catch up and turn the game in our favor. That period of the game is something we need to strive for in the rest of the competition," added Matković.
The next rival is France, Wednesday at 18 p.m.
"France is playing very well, they are led by a top expert (Vjekoslav Kobešćak) and it will certainly not be an easy game. We will start preparing for that game as of tonight and we hope for the best result," Matković pointed out.
Vlado Popadić played his first match at the championship, and in the first quarter he was unlucky when he hit the crossbar from the penalty spot. It was one of many chances that our national team did not take advantage of.
"We have something to regret, we had our chances, but Hungary is an exceptional team that knew how to punish every one of our failed attempts," said Popadić.
The water polo player from Brescia also reflected on the third quarter.
"We had the momentum to come back in the third quarter, we attacked for a long time and defended well, but we didn't manage to reduce the difference to two goals, and they knew how to take advantage of that. In the first and last quarters, it was clear that we had contours and ideas in attack, but we need to improve some parts."
Next up is France, and then a fight in a new group from which only two teams will make it to the semifinals.
"It's not over yet, we have to beat France, and look for additional points in the next group," believes Popadić.
Darko Đurović made his debut at major competitions against Malta, and against Hungary he started the match between the posts.
"We opened the game well, it's a shame we didn't manage to turn it around in our favor. We certainly had chances in this game, especially during the first three quarters. I think we could have come back, but Hungary was celebrating and I congratulate them. We have a match against France next. The good thing is that from the first to the last minute it was clear that we wanted to win, as well as a turnaround," said Đurović.
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