After extensive preparations, Vladimir Gojkovic has selected 15 “sharks” for the World Championship in Fukuoka. The Montenegrin water polo team will compete in group D against Spain, Serbia, and South Africa, aiming to advance to the quarter-finals, with the ultimate aspiration of reaching the final, which secures a spot in the Olympic Games in Paris.

Gojković has chosen the goalkeepers Petar Tešanović and Lazar Andrić, alongside Aljoša Mačić, Đura Radović, Konstantin Averku, Uroš Čučković, Vlada Popadić, Stefan Vidović, Bogdan Đurđić, Aleks Ukropin, Miroslav Perković, Vladan Spaić, Dusan Matković, Vasilija Radović, and Jovan Vujović.

The last players to be cut from the roster were Dušan Banićević due to a shoulder injury and Savo Ćetković, as Perković, Spaić, and Vujović were favored for the center position.

“We had quality preparations, and I believe we are at a higher level than last summer. The path to the top eight is challenging, and that is our primary goal. Our ultimate wish is to secure one of two places for the Olympic Games, and I hope we can move towards that,” Gojković remarked.

The “Sharks” will travel to Kashiwazaki on Friday to finalize their preparations, with their first match scheduled for July 17 against South Africa at 10:30 AM our time.

“I wouldn’t set a specific goal, but we’ll take it match by match. The team atmosphere is excellent, and I believe we can achieve great results,” stated Tešanović.

Following the Tokyo Olympics, the national team bid farewell to Drasko Brguljan, Aleksandar Ivović, and Marko Petkovic, and now the experienced goalkeeper Dejan Lazović is also absent. The team will be led by 33-year-old keeper Uros Cuckovic.

“I’ve experienced a lot, and now, nearing the end of my career, I’m part of this team because I have faith in all the players. I see significant potential, and whether it shines now or in the near future, I’m confident about a great result,” Čučković stated.

The president of the Water Polo and Swimming Association of Montenegro, Djuro Marić, is also optimistic.

“I believe this generation has the quality. Given the commitment the boys have to the national emblem, I am certain they will take a step forward compared to last year,” Marić emphasized.

If they fail to qualify for the Olympic Games now, the “Sharks” will have two additional opportunities in early 2024—one through the European Championship in Netanya, Israel (January 3-16), and another from the World Championship in Doha, Qatar (February 2-18), with six teams competing, including one representative from Africa and one from Oceania.

GROUP D – JULY 17

Montenegro – South Africa at 10:30 PM

Serbia – Spain at 1:30 PM

19 JULY

Spain – Montenegro at 6:30 PM

South Africa – Serbia at 9:00 AM

21 JULY

South Africa – Spain at 3:30 PM

Serbia – Montenegro at 5:00 PM

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