Whenever the Spanish water polo team competes in any European pool, they showcase a level of skill that surpasses our national team.

This was evident tonight at “Morača” during the second round of the World Cup tournament, where the “fury” easily overcame the “sharks” with a score of 10:6, handing Vladimir Gojković’s team their first defeat.

The class difference was glaring, especially since Montenegro squandered numerous opportunities in the first half, netting only two goals. Both came in the final 68 seconds of the half, reducing a five-goal deficit with strikes from Konstantin Averka and Đur Radović, bringing the score to 5:2.

In the opening eight minutes, our players hit the goalpost five times from good shooting positions (shot count 9-0), failing to find the back of the net even during clear chances, while the opposition remained confidently dominant.

Spain took a decisive lead in the second quarter, going up 5:0, but Montenegro fought back to make it 7:5 in the third period with goals from Dušan Banićević and Averka. At that point, there was a glimmer of hope for an upset against the world’s strongest team…

However, Spain maintained their composure, effectively exploiting gaps in the “sharks'” defense orchestrated by Felipe Perone, and smoothly preserved their lead.

Averka was our team’s standout performer with two goals, while Aljoša Mačić, Banićević, Marko Mršić, and Đuro Radović all contributed one goal each.

For Spain, Roger Taulj led the scoring with three goals, with Albert Munaris and Alejandro Bustos each finding the net twice.

With this victory, Spain secured their second win of the tournament after defeating Greece earlier, while Montenegro faced defeat after their win against Georgia in the opening match.

Our water polo team is set to face Serbia in their next match on Saturday at 5:30 PM.

MONTENEGRO – SPAIN 6:10 (0:1, 2:5, 3:2, 1:2)

Podgorica – SC “Morača” swimming pool. Spectators: 400. Referees: Debreceni (Hungary), Ome (Germany). Extra players: Montenegro 9 (4), Spain 8 (7).

Montenegro: Đurović, Mršić 1, Mačić 1, Averka 2, Banićević 1, Popadić, Vidović, Đ. Radović 1, Ćetković, Spaić, Matković, V. Radović, Tešanović (12 saves).

Spain: Aguirre, Munaris 2, Biel Lara, Sanauza, Asensio, Barroso 1, Famjera, Cabanas, Taulj 3, Perone 1, Maljarah 1, Bustos 2, Lorio (six saves).

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