All indications show that the Montenegrin water polo players merited three points in their match against the Americans. However, the two points earned from a significant five-a-side victory are still commendable.

The match concluded at 16:15 (11:11 in regulation time), with goalkeeper Petar Tešanović receiving all the accolades for his performance in the opening game of the World Championship in Doha.

Tešanović, guarding the Breša net, made nine saves in 32 minutes and thwarted five penalty shots—two during regular play and three in the penalty shootout—ensuring that the “Sharks” did not falter in a game they dominated for most of its duration.

The Americans only took the lead once (1:0, thanks to Alex Bowen’s goal), and after that, the game unfolded in favor of our team, which held a two-goal advantage on several occasions.

Despite the USA’s attacking prowess, highlighted by Bouven (who scored five times), Luka Kupido, and Ryder Dod finding the net, Montenegro had effective counters. Center Miroslav Perković excelled in his duels against the opposition’s defenders, while our team converted six out of seven power-play opportunities.

This all culminated in a nail-biting finish. Bouven equalized at 11:11, and Draško Brguljan missed a shot for us. With 34 seconds remaining, following a timeout, the Americans wasted their attack, seemingly missing a chance to clinch victory. Our national team had mere seconds to orchestrate a winning attack after the timeout, but it was evident we were heading to the shootout.

In this crucial moment, Montenegro held a significant advantage—Tešanović saved shots from Bowen, Ryder Dodd, and Max Irving, while Aleksa Ukropina and Miroslav Perković fell short on their attempts.

Stefan Vidović netted the decisive shot in the seventh series, while Irving’s last shot sealed Tešanović’s status as the game hero.

This victory could significantly impact the journey towards the quarter-finals and Olympic qualification. Montenegro’s next match is against Serbia on Wednesday at 15:30, after Serbia’s impressive start against Japan (10:x).

MONTENEGRO – USA 16:15 – AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT (3:1, 2:3, 4:3, 2:4, 5:4)

Doha – “Aspajar dom”. Officials: Margeta (Slovenia), Ome (Germany). Power plays: Montenegro 7 (6), USA 8 (2). Penalties: Montenegro 1 (1), USA 3 (1).

Montenegro: Lazović, Brguljan 1, Perković 2, Mačić, Popadić 1, Vidović, Ukropina 2, Spaić, Matković 2, V. Radović, Mršić 1, Vujović 1, Tešanović (nine saves and five successful penalties).

USA: Weinberg, Hooper, Obert, Daube 2, Cupido 1, Hallock 1, D. Woodhead, Bouven 5, Ch. Dod, R. Dod 2, Irving, Holland (11 saves), K. Woodhead.