The Montenegrin water polo team, following two losses in the group stage—most notably a painful defeat against Serbia—demonstrated their ability to compete against top national teams.

In a remarkable turnaround, they overcame Croatia and secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Fukuoka.

“It feels fantastic after a string of matches where we didn’t succeed in capitalizing on our good performances. Against Croatia, we showcased a strong response following a tough loss to Serbia. Our belief was unwavering, evident in the outstanding call from Miloš Šćepanović, who called a timeout just before the game’s conclusion,” stated coach Vladimir Gojković.

Goalkeeper Petar Tešanović also expressed his enthusiasm.

“This ranks among the greatest victories, possibly the most significant for our generation. We triumphed over the European champions, despite many writing us off. We’ve proven our worth, and we are eager for more,” Tešanović remarked, adding:

“The match was a rollercoaster. We took the lead, then they responded, and then we reclaimed momentum. Our strong desire to prove ourselves shone through, and we are now ready to rest and prepare for Greece,” Tešanović emphasized.

The semi-final showdown against the Greeks is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 AM.

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