Stefan Pješivac and Goran Grgurević, both water polo players, will no longer represent Montenegro moving forward.

Pješivac has decided to play for Georgia, while Grgurević recently appeared on Croatia’s roster. Both players have expressed in various media outlets that they feel overlooked for the team in Montenegro and have pointed fingers at the senior team’s coach, Vladimir Gojković.

Pješivac earned a bronze medal with the “sharks” at the 2020 European Championship, while Grgurević participated at junior levels.

During a press conference prior to the World Cup, Gojković addressed their media statements regarding their selections.

“Currently, I have three centers available for the tournament in Podgorica. One is playing in Marseille, while two others are in Novi Belgrade — teams vying for the Champions League title. I have the right to select who I wish to call up, just as individuals have the right to express their frustrations. However, it seems Montenegro has a unique standard, as those not included often take their grievances public,” Gojković noted, adding:

“We have seen examples from other national teams where players may not participate for three or four years only to return and achieve success. I have no issues with that,” Gojković remarked.

Đuro Marić, the President of VPSCG, further commented:

“It raises the question of whether we should respond to media reports. The coach has the full backing of the Association’s Board of Directors, whether it be Gojković or someone else in the future. The coach ultimately decides who to summon.” Marić emphasized.

Montenegro also has a commendable example in Stefan Vidović, according to Marić.

“For quite some time, he was the last or among the last to be dropped from the lists. He didn’t participate in major competitions but never considered switching national teams or criticizing the coach. He exemplifies a true athlete who strives to demonstrate his worth in the pool, not through media outlets,” Marić concluded.

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