“We’ll Spare No Effort to Reach Paris”
Dejan Lazović, Photo: Aleksandra Krupanič
On Friday, Montenegro’s national water polo team played its first friendly match in preparation for the European Championship.
In Utrecht, the “Sharks” triumphed over the Netherlands with a score of 12:11, marking Dejan Lazović’s return to the national squad.
The seasoned goalkeeper from Marseille had not played since last summer during the World Cup in Budapest.
“Playing for the national team always feels incredible. I’m back in a different capacity, but it’s an honor to represent the team alongside these talented athletes,” said Lazović, who will celebrate his 34th birthday in February.
Montenegro has been training in Utrecht for a week, focusing on the initial phase of its preparations for the European Championship, which kicks off on January 4…
“The training environment is excellent. Our match against the hosts was, in my view, quite satisfactory. Transitioning into the game after a full training session is no easy feat,” Lazović noted.
The primary goal for the European Championship, taking place in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, is to secure a spot in the world championship set for February in Doha, with the ultimate aspiration of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I believe the team has improved since our last outing, but to advance and compete with teams for a medal, we need to elevate our game. We’ve matured in this aspect. Securing a spot in the Olympic Games is crucial; it won’t be straightforward, but we are committed to giving our utmost to achieve this,” Lazović expressed.
Vladimir Gojković’s team will conclude its prep work in the Netherlands on Sunday and head to Cagliari from December 19 to 21 for the Four Nations tournament, where they will face Italy, France, and Australia.
“We tackled the toughest week. We engaged in sparring with the Dutch and explored various tactical options… We secured a victory in a control match, showcasing some strong elements, yet there are areas where we need improvement. There’s still time to address our shortcomings,” commented center Miroslav Perković.
In the opening round of the European Championship, Montenegro will compete in Dubrovnik within a group featuring France, Spain, and Croatia.
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