The Belgrade Arena, the stands filled to capacity and in the pool, two teams are expected to complete the spectacle.
On Sunday at 8:30 p.m., the curtain falls on the European Water Polo Championship, with Serbia and Hungary fighting for gold - a classic follows, a clash of greats who wrote the history of water sports.
Montenegro finished in seventh place, current European and world champions Spain only in fifth, and the Serbs and Hungarians simply showed the most until the final - that's not just a phrase in this case.
The "Dolphins", led by Uroš Stevanović, secured their first medal at the European Championship in eight years, after being champions four times in a row - 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
"There is always pressure, and that's how it is before this final. We are waiting for it in a positive mood, the motive, desire, and influence of the audience will decide, and I hope there will be no problems," said Vasilije Martinović.
Hungarians are Hungarians, they always come into their own in water polo, regardless of whether a generation is leaving the scene or a new one is being born, as is the case now.
"When I was younger, I lost one final to them, I have a victory from the semi-finals. This is different now, but I know some water polo players from those days. The Hungarians have a great team, but we only think about ourselves. The final is the most beautiful and easiest to play," Martinović pointed out.
The good news for Serbia is that Stevanović can count on Nikola Jakšić, one of the team's leaders.
The experienced defender was sent off in the semi-final against Italy with the right to be substituted, but can play in the fight for gold after an appeal was filed by the Serbian Water Polo Federation.
"In the final, the one with the greater desire wins. That should be us," said Nikola Lukić.
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The Hungarians defeated Greece in the semifinals and inflicted their first defeat at this championship - now in Belgrade they are aiming for their 14th European gold in history.
"The final features two excellent national teams and the teams that showed the most at the championship. We put the plan into action against Greece, we want it to be the same against Serbia," says Hungarian coach Zsolt Varga.
Serbia has everything, says the 2000 Olympic champion.
"We are playing against the Olympic champion, who has great support from the audience. Dušan Mandić is in the foreground and plays excellently, the others have their roles that they do well, but I would especially highlight Miloš Ćuk, who knows how to lead a team, and Nikola Jakšić," added Varga.
Serbia defeated Hungary in the main round, which was better than our team in the group, when it became clear that the "sharks" would have difficulty getting involved in the fight for a medal in Belgrade.
On Sunday at 17 p.m. there is a bronze medal match between Italy and Greece, which is chasing its first medal at the European Championships.
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