The “April 11” open pool in New Belgrade is set for the grand finale of the water polo season. Over the next four days, Europe will witness the crowning of a new club champion.

The Champions League has arrived at the F8 tournament, featuring Barceloneta, Jug, Olympiakos, Brescia, Vuljagmeni, Pro Reko, Ferencváros, and the host team, Novi Beograd, all competing for the title. Among these teams are five Montenegrin water polo players vying for victory.

Considered a leading contender, Barceloneta is captained by our Dušan Matković. Petar Tešanović will defend the Brescia goal, marking one of the most remarkable narratives of the season. The Novi Beograd squad includes two Montenegrin centers, Miroslav Perković and Savo Ćetković.

Of course, where significant narratives unfold, Pro Reko is always present. Representing them in this tournament is Aleksandar Ivović, a former Montenegrin national team player and one of the best water polo athletes worldwide.

Every quarterfinal match promises to be a spectacle, but the anticipated super derbies between Pro Reko and Ferencváros, or Novi Beograd and Olympiakos, are expected to bring the most excitement.

Barceloneta will face the giants from Dubrovnik—South.

“Like all my teammates, I believe we have what it takes to reach the pinnacle of European competition. We secured the double crown in Spain and performed exceptionally well in the group stage of the elite tournament,” Matković shared in a statement to Sport Club.

Tešanović’s Brescia has arrived in Belgrade as the top team from Group B, set to compete against Vuljagmeni for a slot in the semifinals.

Interestingly, among the eight teams in the Champions League quarterfinals, six are coached by individuals from Croatia and Serbia.

The former Primorje coach Sandro Sukno will aim to defend the title with Pro Reko, Elvis Fatović is at the helm of Barceloneta, while Vjekoslav Kobešćak coaches Jug.

The home team, Novi Beograd, is guided by former Serbian captain Živko Gocić, with the legendary center of Yugoslavia, Igor Milanović, coaching Olympiakos, and the equally legendary Vladimir Vujasinović in charge of Vuljagmeni.

Additionally, Italian Alessandro Bovo leads Brescia, and Hungarian Zolt Varga is at the helm of FTC.

F8, Quarterfinals (Today)

15:30: Barceloneta vs. South

17:00: Novi Beograd vs. Olympiakos

18:30: Brescia vs. Vuljagmeni

20:00: Pro Reko vs. Ferencváros

Semi-finals, Thursday

Barceloneta/South vs. Novi Beograd/Olympiakos

Brescia/Vuljagmeni vs. Pro Reko/FTC

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