So far, the best teams on the planet have been untouchable for Montenegrin water polo players, and the beginning of 2026 shows that the "sharks" have to admit that even the middle class of teams is catching up to them.
Not prestige - this was shown in the game at the European Championship with the Netherlands, which brought drama, but along with undeniable potential, the character of our team emerged, which refused to lose and was ultimately rewarded with a final score of 15:11.
With this, she took a huge, probably key step towards qualifying for the World Cup next year, although it has long been clear that she will not compete for a medal at the Euros in Belgrade.
A major turnaround was seen, uncharacteristic of recent times for Montenegro - they won despite being down 10:7 in the second half of the third quarter, all before making a big 7:0 run and paving the way for triumph.
Therefore, if this duel was a test of character - Dejan Savić's team passed it, the coach saw what he needed to see. At least in the last ten minutes of water polo.
The Dutch completely controlled the game for two and a half quarters, our team tied the score at 5:5 and 6:6 midway through the second quarter, but then easily allowed the opponent to escape at 9:6.
Goalkeeper Petar Tešanović surprised his Dutch teammate at the end of the second period and scored from his own half for 9:7, but that moment - although not often seen in water polo - did not immediately give the sleeping "sharks" a boost.
The chaotic game continued, without clear solutions in attack, but also with some questionable referee decisions that further "sinked" Montenegro.
And then - the reaction opened everything up in three consecutive attacks - through Miroslav Perković, Dušan Matković and Strahinja Gojković, they reached the equalizer - 10:10.
This was the result after three quarters, and the last one brought an even better performance from our team at both ends of the pool, so they eventually achieved a routine triumph.
In those eight minutes, Gojković scored twice, Matković, Balša Vučković and Jovan Vujović scored once each, so it was time to take a breather and celebrate a victory that had some significance.
Vučković was the most efficient with four goals, Matković and Gojković scored three each, and Tešanović, Dmitrij Holod, Vujović, Perković and Vasilije Radović scored one each.
Montenegro plays its next match on Tuesday, against Serbia at 8:30 p.m.
MONTENEGRO - NETHERLANDS 15:11 (1:3, 6:6, 3:1, 5:1)
Beograd - Belgrade Arena. Referees: Colombo (Italy), Balanescu (Romania). Player more: Montenegro 10 (6), Netherlands 11 (4).
Montenegro: Tešanović 1 (12 saves), Holod 1, Vujović 1, Macić, Popadić, Stupar, Vučković 4, Perković 1, Spaić, Matković 3, Radović 1, Đurović, Janović, Gojković 3.
Holandija: Bujtenhujs (šest odbrana), Gbadamasi, Ruvenhorst, B. Hesels, M. Van der Vejden 2, Te Rile 1, S. Hesels 4, Van den Burg 1, De Verd, Snel, Ten Bruk 3, Spajker, Hofmejer, J. Van der Vejden.
Bonus video:
