February is typically a quiet month for major water polo events, but 2024 stands out for various reasons.

This year features three significant tournaments: the recently concluded European Championship in Croatia, the upcoming World Championship in Doha, and the Olympic Games set for the summer.

Will Montenegrin water polo players make an appearance? The World Championship will provide the answer, as the “sharks” could take a crucial first step towards Paris by facing the USA in their opening match.

The match is slated for Monday at 15:30 our time, and a victory would pave the way to the quarterfinals, likely securing a ticket to the City of Light.

“We maximized our recovery time and improved our performance. This is essential because the group is competitive, and the first game is pivotal. I believe we’ve prepared thoroughly and hope to translate that into our performance from the get-go,” stated coach Vladimir Gojković.

The Americans are a formidable team, led for nearly a decade by Serbian coach Dejan Udovicic, known for nurturing an outstanding generation. Leading the attack is Ben Hallok from Pro Reka, recognized as one of the best centers globally.

“They have strong players in every position, and their gameplay revolves around several key figures. However, I believe we possess the quality to compete against them. We’ve studied their style, prepared thoroughly, and are optimistic about a successful outcome,” Gojković added.

Vlado Popadić is one of the players tasked with limiting Halok’s effectiveness or at least making his role more challenging.

“We understand the stakes of the World Cup. Our objective is Olympic qualification, and we’re committed to achieving that. The USA is a strong team with several talented players, but we’re confident in our preparation. The team’s chemistry is excellent, and we’re eagerly anticipating the tournament’s start,” Popadić expressed.

While it’s too early for calculations, a win would mean that Montenegro could likely avoid finishing third in the group (which also includes Serbia and Japan), guaranteeing a more favorable opponent in the potential Round of 16.

“Winning would certainly make our path through the tournament easier against Serbia and Japan. However, we’re focusing on one match at a time, starting with the Americans. We recognize the importance of each contest and are aiming for victory to facilitate a smoother transition to the knockout stage,” Popadić concluded.

This marks the ninth time Montenegrin water polo players have participated in world championships, with their sole medal coming from Barcelona in 2013 when they clinched silver. They have also achieved two fifth-place finishes (2015 and 2017), a seventh-place finish in 2011, and eighth-place finishes in 2022 and last year, alongside a ninth place in 2009.

Their lowest ranking occurred in 2019 when they placed tenth in Gwangju.

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