Montenegrin water polo players had ample motivation to face the Italians in their first of two matches for the playoff for 5th to 8th place at the World Championship, yet it seemed as if their bodies simply didn’t cooperate.

The grueling pace of four consecutive tight matches, each more critical than the last, caused the “sharks” to run out of energy against the “setebel.”

Ultimately, the score of 10:6 perfectly mirrored the scenario in the “Marine Mesa” pool, as Alessandro Campagna’s team maintained complete control throughout the game. They broke through our national team’s defenses in the middle of the third quarter, and if they hadn’t squandered numerous opportunities in the first half, the outcome might have been worse for Vladimir Gojković’s squad.

Crucially, there was an eight-and-a-half-minute stretch where neither team scored—from the midpoint of the second period to the middle of the third—during which Italy executed a 5-0 run to establish a 6-2 lead.

Montenegro briefly rallied, closing the gap to 6:4, but then failed to capitalize on a man advantage, and Italy quickly extended their lead to 7:4, led by Edoardo di Soma, after which they never looked back.

Nothing in Montenegro’s performance resembled their earlier encounters with Greece, Croatia, and Serbia, or even their match against Spain in the second round of the group stage, where they remained competitive until the final phase.

When Montenegro’s collective game is not at its peak, defeats by four or five goals against superior teams become a harsh reality.

“Had this been a semi-final, perhaps we’d have drawn energy from the adrenaline, but we were physically inferior to the Italians. Maybe the officiating allowed for more physical play, but we shouldn’t focus on that,” Gojković noted.

While Montenegro struggled in the pool, Italy excelled, despite having no pressing imperative after qualifying for the next WC.

“We need to analyze how Italy, the reigning vice-champion, ended up in this match. That should serve as a real example for us,” Gojković added.

Sandro Campagna echoed this sentiment, highlighting the mentality of the Italians.

“We all took our quarter-final loss against Serbia hard; it was a significant setback. However, we aimed to showcase our potential, and with that mindset, we entered the match against Montenegro. We must continue to believe in ourselves and demonstrate improvement moving forward,” emphasized Campagna.

The loss to Italy means that Montenegro, which aimed for a fifth-place finish, will not qualify for the next World Championship in Doha scheduled for February 2024.

This result now leads to one more nearly inconsequential match against the United States for seventh place, set for early Saturday morning (4:30 am our time).

“I asserted before the tournament that this team has talent and potential. I believe they have shown it. While results didn’t come this time, I’m confident they will in the future,” said Stefan Vidović.

Through this tournament, Greece and Hungary, the finalists, have qualified for the Olympic Games and secured entry for the next WC.

Along with Hungary and Greece, Serbia and Spain are also heading to Doha, along with France, which faces Italy for fifth place.

As Italy secured their spot in the World Cup through the tournament (as finalists along with Spain), today’s win over the United States opens the doors for the “tricolors” to compete in Qatar.

Schedule for the Final Day of the WC (Saturday):

For Seventh Place

Montenegro – USA 4:30

For Fifth Place

Italy – Spain 9:30

For Bronze

Serbia – Spain 6:00

Final

Hungary – Greece 11:00

MONTENEGRO – ITALY 6:10 (1:1, 1:3, 2:3, 2:3)

Fukuoka – “Marine Mesa” swimming pool. Officials: Aleksandrescu (Romania), Kovač-Čatloš (Hungary). Extra player: Montenegro 10 (3), Italy 10 (3). Penalties: Montenegro 1 (-), Italy 1 (1).

Montenegro: Andrić, Mačić, Perković 3, Averka 1, Popadić, Vujović, Vidović, Đ. Radović 1, Ukropina 1, Spaić, Matković, V. Radović, Tešanović (nine saves).

Italy: Del Lungo (13 saves), Di Fulvio 1, Damonte 3, Martial 1, Veloto 1, Canela 1, Rencuto-Jodiće, Ećenike 1, Prešuti, Bruni 1, Di Soma 1, Condemi.

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