“Demonstrating What Was Lacking at the EP During the World Cup”
Perkovic during an earlier match against Serbia, Photo: Orange Pictures/VPSCG
In the same venue where the football superstar Lionel Messi was honored just over a year ago, the top water polo athletes from around the world are set to chase their dreams of glory in five days, including Montenegro making its ninth appearance.
Doha and Qatar are primed for the Water Polo World Cup, kicking off in five days with Montenegro’s “sharks” facing off against the United States. This competition also leads up to what they have been striving for over the last three years – the Olympic Games.
“I believe we are prepared,” remarked our center Miroslav Perković.
The World Championship takes place just twenty days post-European Championship, where Montenegro faced an early exit in the quarter-finals.
“We are highly motivated to showcase at the World Cup what was lacking in the European Championship,” noted the Montenegrin “anchor.”
Alongside the Americans, coach Vladimir Gojković’s squad will also contend against Serbia and Japan in group play. The top team advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third placed teams move on to the round of 16.
“We have tough opponents ahead, including Japan, which may seem a bit weaker than others but remains a challenging team to play against,” Perković added, having ranked second in forced exclusions at the recently concluded European Championship in Croatia.
The tournament in Doha represents Montenegro’s final shot at securing a berth for the Olympic Games in Paris, with four spots available.
A quarterfinal finish should be sufficient to reach the City of Light, with Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro likely vying for those coveted slots.
However, it is vital to break into the top eight so the “sharks” are not surpassed by teams like Romania, Brazil, or others.
Perkovic is poised to be a key player in the center position.
“Playing for the national team holds special significance for me, and I strive to perform at my best at all times. My individual achievements stem from teamwork, the coaching staff’s support… I hope to further elevate my game at the World Cup,” emphasized the new player from Belgrade.
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