On February 5th, Montenegrin water polo players will commence their competition, facing a pivotal challenge for Olympic qualification.

The World Championship kicks off in Doha on Monday, where four Olympic spots will be up for grabs. The primary goal for the “sharks” is to board the plane to Paris, aiming to compete in the Olympics for the fifth time in their history.

The journey to the City of Light traverses Qatar and is fraught with challenges, as Montenegro finds itself in a tough group alongside the United States, Serbia, and Japan. The top team advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third places secure spots in the round of 16.

Securing a quarterfinal berth would almost guarantee Montenegro’s passage to the Olympic Games.

“This year is distinctive, with two competitions separated by two to three weeks of downtime. It poses significant demands on the players, particularly in the midst of the club season. Following the European Championship, we primarily focused on recovery to fine-tune our gameplay. We still have a few days for preparation alongside the Romanian national team, and I believe our extensive summer training together provided a solid foundation for what lies ahead,” said coach Vladimir Gojković.

The first match against the Americans is crucial; a win would likely help Montenegro avoid a third-place finish and a challenging matchup against Italy or Hungary in the round of 16.

“The Doha group is intimidating and competitive, being the only one featuring four teams engaged in serious water polo. We must be in peak form from the very first round to achieve a favorable result that eases our way to the Olympic Games. That is our primary objective at the World Cup; we’re approaching it one match at a time, with the intent of ensuring our pathway to Paris,” Gojković emphasized.

“The USA boasts players from top clubs competing in the Champions League. Recent competitions have demonstrated their high quality; their national team members are formidable. However, with such a competitive group, the Americans and Serbia are not necessarily superior to Spain and Croatia, whom we faced during the European Championship. But there’s no doubt about their strength—every match will demand our utmost focus,” Gojković added.

Montenegro finished sixth at the European Championship, which concluded two weeks ago.

“Last summer in Fukuoka, our level of play exceeded my expectations, and the matches from the European Championship in Dubrovnik matched that intensity. However, during the knockout stage, we experienced a downturn, along with a location change to Zagreb. In our match against Italy, we weren’t at our best, primarily in terms of energy; we didn’t perform at our usual swimming capacity. There were good and bad moments, and now it’s imperative to maintain consistency throughout this tough group,” remarked the legendary water polo player.

Đurđić Played Key Roles in This Cycle

Bogdan Đurđić was not among the 15 selected for the European Championship and was also excluded from the broader roster for the World Championship.

The Savona player was part of the squad last summer in Fukuoka but played only the initial two games against South Africa and Spain. Since then, he has not been featured.

“The players here have earned their spots through diligent training; 90% of this team triumphed in both the World and European Championships last summer. That’s how my conversation with Bogdan went—I informed him that he would have an opportunity if we secured Olympic qualification, as he is part of this cycle and has played significant roles,” Gojković explained.

Preparations in Trebinje: Exceptional Conditions while Considering Club Commitments

The Montenegrin national team conducted the bulk of its World Championship preparations in Trebinje.

Why choose Trebinje over training in Kotor, Herceg Novi, or Podgorica?

“We have always sought external locations for our preparations. This time, between the European Championship and the World Cup, we opted for Trebinje to foster unity and provide a proper retreat. Trebinje offers outstanding facilities, free from the operations of any major club, making it easier to coordinate with them during intensive preparation periods,” stated Gojković and concluded:

“Our preparation team collaborates effectively with clubs in Kotor and Herceg Novi. However, we must be cautious, ensuring that those clubs maintain their youth programs, as the national team’s usage of pool resources can be significant. A new swimming pool has opened nearby, and we are grateful for Trebinje and the clubs in Montenegro that support us. I hope more swimming facilities will emerge in our country.”

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