Montenegrin water polo players have consistently been among the top contenders for the Olympic Games. The tension surrounding their quest for Paris persisted until Sunday afternoon when coach Vladimir Gojković, after a challenging match against Romania in the round of 16 at the World Cup, finally achieved the desired outcome…

The “Sharks” have secured their spot at the Olympic Games, marking their position among the top eight in the world championship. With the worries of the City of Light now behind them, they can focus on their upcoming match against the heavy favorites, Spain, in the semi-finals in Doha.

Facing opponents who are statistically stronger can sometimes simplify the game, and Montenegro is looking to exploit this mentality to challenge the “red fury,” widely regarded as the best team globally. They are the reigning European champions, and since 2018, they have consistently reached at least the semi-finals in every major tournament.

The Montenegrin and Spanish national teams have met frequently in recent competitions, often with David Martin‘s team prevailing. Recently, Spain triumphed in the European Championship group stage (14:12) and at last summer’s World Cup in Fukuoka (11:7). Meanwhile, coach Vladimir Gojković has been waiting for a victory against them for over four years—since their World League encounter where they won 11:6 in Oviedo. The last summer showdown saw Spain edge Montenegro 7:6 in the quarter-finals in Budapest.

“Preparing for Such a Rival is Not Difficult”

The strengths of the Spanish team have been well-documented—they are led by talents like Felipe Perone, Alvaro Granados, Rođer Taulj, and Alberto Munaris.

– I believe we can gain a lot from this match. I want us to stay competitive until the end and aim to create an upset—said Gojković.

Spain secured their Olympic berth by winning the European Championship, where they defeated Croatia in the final in Zagreb, driven by Granados’s exceptional performance.

– The Spaniards are an outstanding selection—individually and collectively. Their organization is superb, and their results are no mere coincidence. Preparing for such an opponent requires utmost focus over 32 minutes and striving for maximum effort. That’s why we need the support of all 13 players—said Gojković.

“Achieving Qualification for Paris is a Major Feat”

After defeating Romania, the entire team felt a sense of relief.

– Qualifying for the Olympics is, in my opinion, a remarkable achievement for Montenegrin water polo and sports as a whole. This is the fifth consecutive time our water polo team has qualified for the Olympic Games, which stands as a significant accomplishment given our circumstances—Gojković stated.

– I want to congratulate the players again. It’s a tremendous pressure when you spend two months preparing for a single competition, and we had to gear up for two in less than a month. We are thrilled to have reached our goal, which should serve as added motivation for their careers—to strive for even better—concluded Gojković.

Perković: We Have the Desire, and I Hope the Strength

Spanish water polo players bested the “sharks” 14:12 in the group stage of the European Championship earlier this January, with Montenegro remaining competitive until the last quarter. Now they prepare for the World Cup showdown and the fight for the semi-finals—the winner will face the victor of the Italy versus Greece match.

– Spain may be the top team in the world right now, but I believe we’ve shown in our recent matches that we can compete with them. We possess the desire, and I hope we have the stamina. We will give our all and hope for a favorable result. Our primary objective of qualifying for the Olympic Games has been achieved, but we want to go beyond that—said Montenegrin center Miroslav Perković.

The highly anticipated match comes just two days after a grueling encounter with Romania in the round of 16.

– Although Romania may not appear to be a top-tier team, their players were exceptionally prepared and had nothing to lose. In any case, we’ve alleviated that major burden; qualifying for Paris was imperative. Things are easier now—Perković added.

World Cup Quarterfinals

Today

Spain – Montenegro at 14:00

Greece – Italy at 15:30

Serbia – Croatia at 17:00

Hungary – France at 18:30

Semi-finals

Spain – Montenegro/Greece – Italy at 14:00

Serbia – Croatia/Hungary – France at 15:30

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