There were disappointments at the European Championship, now it's time for a little satisfaction because the Montenegrin water polo players played a game for all tastes and defeated the host and semi-finalist of the tournament in Belgrade.
The "Sharks" beat Serbia 15:13 in the Arena. This victory has no significance in terms of results, but it could be a boost for Dejan Savić's young team for the coming period - or rather, it should be if it is used in the right way.
Our national team excelled in defense, and in attack it has become a habit to ask Balša Vučković who is becoming the leader of Montenegro and the guy who deserves to have the ball in his hands whenever it matters...
The "Dolphins" learned before the game that they were going into the semifinals in first place, they didn't have to chase three points, but in front of a full crowd they certainly wanted to finish the main round in the right way.
Montenegro wanted it too, so they set themselves up the right way from the start of the match - with the clear intention of proving themselves against the favorites and a team that wants gold.
The teams took turns in the lead, Serbia controlled the score from the second quarter onwards, but the "sharks" were ready for a big fight.
So in the last period, even though they were without three players due to suspensions, they defended seven attacks in a row when the opponent had a player more in the water.
The defense was followed by an attack, so Danilo Stupar tied the game at 13:13 with just over three minutes left, and Dušan Matković brought about a turnaround that Vučković later turned into a triumph.
It was his fourth goal, three were scored by Strahinja Gojković, two each by Matković and Marko Mršić, and one each by Stupar, Miroslav Perković, Dmitrij Holod and Jovan Vujović.
The most efficient players in the Serbian team were Dušan Mandić and Vasilije Martinović with three goals each.
Montenegro will play Romania for seventh place at the European Championship on Thursday at 18 p.m., while Serbia will face a semi-final match against Italy or Croatia.
The other semi-final pair consists of Greece and Hungary.
MONTENEGRO - SERBIA 15:13 (5:6, 3:4, 4:2, 3:1)
Beograd - Belgrade Arena. Referees: Balanescu (Romania), Berishvili (Georgia). Player more: Montenegro 7 (5), Serbia 12 (4). Peterci: Montenegro 2 (2), Serbia 1 (1).
Montenegro: Tešanović (10 saves), Holod 1, Vujović 1, Mrsić 2, Macić, Popadić, Stupar 1, Vučković 4, Perković 1, Spaić, Matković 2, Radović, Đurović, Gojković 3.
Serbia: Filipović (four saves), Mandić 3, S. Rašović 1, Ranđelović 1, Ćuk, Lazić 2, Drašović 1, N. Jakšić 1, Vico 1, Dedović, P. Jakšić, V. Rašović, Glušac (four saves), Martinović 3.
Victory for the Montenegrin water polo team - they defeated Serbia 15:13 in a match that unfortunately had no significant result.
Serbia goes to the semifinals in first place, and our team plays against Romania on Thursday at 18 p.m. in the battle for seventh place at the European Championship.
Now it's a real goal, this one can't be disallowed - 15:13 after Vučković's goal. The "Sharks" have defeated Serbia, the only question is by what score.
Vučković's goal was disallowed after a challenge from the Serbian bench, all due to a foul on Mandić.
Montenegro leads 15:13 with a minute and 22 to go, Vučković scores for the fourth time.
Montenegro leads for the first time since the second quarter - Matković is the scorer for 14:13.
Stupar's mastery for the equalizer - what a goal from the young left-handed Jadran striker who tied the score at 13:13.
Halfway through the last quarter, Serbia leads 13:12.
Mandić's goal from a foul at the end of the first minute of the last quarter gave Serbia a 13:12 lead.
In the last eight minutes at the Arena, Montenegro is tied 12:12 against Serbia.
Gojković's goal off the post in an attack with a player more for 12:12 - that's the result after three quarters in the Belgrade Arena.
Mandić was safe from the penalty area, so Serbia once again has a minimal advantage - 12:11.
Second goal by Mrsic, the "sharks" do not allow Serbia to break away - 11:11.
Serbia leads 11:10 with a goal by Lazić.
Another tie, our team's second goal in the 3rd quarter - now it's 10:10.
The first goal in the second half - scored by Holod, reducing Montenegro to 10:9.
The third period began.
End of the first half - Montenegrin water polo players lose 10:8.
Serbia is again two goals behind - Martinović's goal for 10:8.
Vujović's goal and another tie - 8:8.
Bonus video:
