It simply couldn't have been without drama, despite dominating for more than two quarters, despite having a five-goal lead halfway through the third period.
None of that was enough for the Montenegrin water polo team to calmly end the match with France - it was tense until the end, the final score of 13:12 is a testament to that, but the triumph that secured the "sharks" second place in the group is remembered.
This means that Dejan Savić's team carries three points into the main round, and in the next three games they will play for a place in the semi-finals - they will face Spain (Friday), the Netherlands (Sunday) and Serbia on Tuesday.
At the end of the first quarter it was 3:3, and then the quality of our team surfaced, slowly making up the difference and reaching a plus four (10:6) by the break.
It was then 12:7 with four and a half minutes left in the third quarter when Vasilije Radović scored and no one could have guessed that from that moment on, big problems would begin for Montenegro.
Namely, almost 12 minutes passed without a goal, during which the French scored four and reduced the score to 12:11, and Dušan Matković made sure that there was no major upset, as he found his way to the net with 28 seconds left, after Savić's timeout, and secured the second triumph in the group.
It was clear then that Montenegro had repelled the onslaught of the "tricolors", but it is also clear that with such oscillations it has no place in the main round against giants such as Spain and Serbia...
Balša Vučković excelled against France, scoring five goals, Matković and Radović scored two each, and Dmitrij Holod, Aljoša Mačić, Srđan Janović and Strahinja Gojković scored one each.
MONTENEGRO - FRANCE 13:12 (3:3, 7:3, 2:2, 1:4)
Beograd - Belgrade Arena. Referees: Stavridis (Greece), Balanescu (Romania). Player more: Montenegro 10 (4), France 12 (5). Peterci: Montenegro 4 (3).
MONTENEGRO: Tešanović (11 saves), Holod 1, Vujović, Mačić 1, Popadić, Stupar, Vučković 5, Perković, Spaić, Matković 2, Radović 2, Đurović, Janović 1, Gojković 1.
FRANCUSKA: Ofner, Bryce, Barnat, Bue 2, Drae 2, Vernu 1, Vitran 1, Gerin, Marion-Vernu, Canovas 5, Carpentras, Fontani (13 odbrana and peterac), March 1, Southon.
Montenegro wins! France was defeated 13:12 for second place in the group.
The "Sharks" carry three points into the main round, followed by matches with Spain, the Netherlands and Serbia.
The first match is against the Spaniards on Friday.
The French are not giving up, they cut the lead to 13:12 with 18 seconds left.
Finally a goal - Matković scored it and I guess the question of the winner was settled. "Sharks" lead 13:11.
It's still 12:11, Montenegro is on the attack - Savić called a timeout with 49 seconds left.
Montenegro only had a goal advantage, Mas took advantage of the attack with a player more - 12:11.
France has an attack with an extra player and a chance to get close to the goal. Kobešćak asked for a timeout.
There are four minutes and 37 seconds left.
The French are only minus two, Montenegro leads 12:10 with six and a half minutes left in the game.
France cut the deficit to 12:9 in the first minute of the final quarter.
The last quarter has begun.
Montenegro has a four-goal advantage heading into the final eight minutes - leading 12:8.
Vasilije Radović's second goal with a great pass from Stupar, for a plus five - 12:7.
Vučković is brilliant - he scored the fifth goal, giving the "Sharks" a 11:7 lead.
The first goal in the second half was scored by the French - Bue reduced the score to 10:7.
The third quarter has begun.
Montenegro has a clear advantage at halftime - they have a four-goal advantage, leading 10:6.
She made the difference in the second quarter, in which she scored seven goals and conceded three.
Another excellent attack by Montenegro and a great goal by Janović - 10:6.
Now there is a four-point difference, Mačić has also scored, so our national team leads 9:5.
Gojković scored from the penalty spot and made it three points - 8:5 for Montenegro.
France doesn't give up, Canovas scores for the third time and reduces the score to 7:5.
Bonus video:
