The upcoming match against the United States could pave the way for Montenegrin water polo players to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship and, subsequently, the Olympic Games in Paris.

Captain Petar Tešanović asserts that Montenegro is close to matching the top teams’ level, and they aim to demonstrate this in Doha.

“We have the capability to compete with everyone, as evidenced by our recent performances. I believe we are on the right track; we just need to enhance our focus during crucial moments,” stated Tešanović.

Every opponent in the group (USA, Serbia, and Japan) demands special attention.

“This group is challenging, featuring three competitive teams and Japan, which may not be as strong. Matches will likely be decided by a single goal, making it crucial for us to start strong against the Americans,” Tešanović added.

The objective is clear:

“We aim to qualify for the Olympics. We need to finish among the top four teams to secure a spot, and then we hope to overcome that hurdle known as the quarter-finals, which we’ve struggled with before,” the Brescia goalkeeper remarked.

Montenegro ranked sixth at the European Championship, and previously finished eighth in the world…

“I believe we are closing the gap to the best teams, even if Hungary and Spain possess more talent. We must enhance our energy and mental resilience in decisive moments, as a single mistake can prove costly for a team aspiring to win medals. We need to focus on practice and improve in these critical areas,” Tešanović concluded.

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