Montenegrin water polo players have kicked off the World Cup tournament in Podgorica.

They triumphed over Georgia with a score of 13:12, thanks to Đuro Radović, who netted the winning goal just eight seconds before the final whistle.

Coach Vladimir Gojković expressed mixed feelings about the team’s performance; while the first half was unsatisfactory, the second half showed marked improvement. Ultimately, securing the win remains paramount, as emphasized by the legendary water polo player.

“We’re pleased with the victory, although we may have exerted more effort than anticipated. Numerous poor decisions in the first two quarters and missed opportunities hindered us, and our defense was vulnerable while a man down. Had we executed more logically as we did in the latter two quarters, we could have scored more before halftime. We had the physical edge, but we failed to capitalize on our chances,” Gojković offered.

“Georgia’s goalkeeper performed admirably, but we did not make sound decisions. We were lacking the speed that we needed towards the end,” he added.

Đuro Radović has proven to be a valuable asset.

“He possesses tremendous skill, having played in four major competitions before his suspension. As one of the youngest players in the national team, his continuous participation adds depth. He may require some time to adjust as he tires easily, but his commitment has never been in question,” stated Gojković.

The next challenge is against Spain on Thursday at 17:30.

“The Spaniards are the group favorites and turned their match against the Greeks in a decisive manner. We feel we have good energy and will take it one match at a time – our aim is to win,” Gojković concluded.

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