The captain proudly dons the Montenegrin cap bearing the number two once again—after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus and participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games, Draško Brguljan is back with the “sharks”.

A symbol of resilience, Brguljan, who had only missed one major tournament before the Games in Japan (the 2010 European Championship in Zagreb), returns to support a new generation of Montenegrin water polo players as they aim for the Croatian capital.

The “Sharks” are currently training in Utrecht in preparation for the European Championship, set to be hosted by Dubrovnik and Zagreb starting January 4. Brguljan expresses his joy at rejoining the team.

“It’s wonderful to be part of this collective and environment that has always inspired and motivated me. I’m thrilled to be back in the national team,” Brguljan shared with the Water Polo and Swimming Association of Montenegro’s website.

The Primorje water polo player will turn 39 at the end of December, and his wealth of experience will greatly benefit the younger members of the national team.

“I feel good, even though we’re just at the start of our preparations for the challenges ahead. Motivation? I’ve always emphasized that motivation for the national team is never in short supply—if given the opportunity, even for just a minute, I would be honored to contribute to the team’s success,” Brguljan stated.

He also discussed how this comeback came to be.

“Coach Vladimir Gojković reached out to me around April or May to inquire about my future plans. He expressed a desire for my return to the national team, believing I can offer valuable support. I’m very pleased that he and the coaching staff think so highly of me.”

Draško’s return occurs ahead of a “challenging” water polo year, where Montenegro anticipates competing in the European Championship, the World Championship in Qatar, and potentially the Olympic Games.

Did the prospect of Paris serve as additional motivation for Brguljan, who has already competed in four Olympic Games?

“Honestly, it doesn’t—my primary goal is to perform well in the European Championship, secure a spot in the World Championship, and then aim for the Olympics. There’s still a long journey ahead until Paris, and I’m not here to chase personal accolades, but rather to help the team. First and foremost, I hope for a strong showing in the upcoming competition,” concluded Brguljan.

As anticipated, Coach Gojković welcomed Draško’s return with enthusiasm.

“His quality is unquestionable; he brings routine and experience, and his motivation remains as high as ever. He leads by example in training. I’m confident he can offer significant support. Goalkeeper Dejan Lazović is also returning after a year-long break. Both players have been key for the national team since Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo,” said Gojković.

Montenegro will commence the group stage of the European Championship in Dubrovnik, facing France (January 4), Spain (6), and Croatia (8). The championship finale will take place in Zagreb on the Sava.

“There’s always a significant amount of pressure, but we are clear about our objectives. We are preparing for the European Championship, which paves the way for our future pursuits. We’re focused on being in peak condition for that competition. While the pressure is present, I believe it will motivate us to perform at our best,” Gojković concluded.

Prior to Dubrovnik: Sparring with the Netherlands and Georgia and a Tournament in Sardinia

The Montenegrin water polo team has been training in Utrecht since Sunday alongside the Dutch national team, with a friendly match scheduled for Friday.

Following that, from December 19 to 21, the “Sharks” will participate in the “Four Nations” tournament in Cagliari, competing against Italy, France, and Australia.

To wrap up their preparations, Gojković’s team is also expected to have a practice match against Georgia.

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