The Montenegrin water polo team faced defeat and a lackluster performance at the European Championship, losing 15:10 against Greece in the match for fifth place.

The “Sharks” managed to score six goals each in the first and last quarters.

“The Greeks deserved their victory. We didn’t start the match with the energy we’re known for, and when facing top teams, you need to be at your peak from the first to the last minute. We attempted to stage a comeback, but fatigue set in, especially for some players who have been active throughout the tournament. We must recover quickly for what lies ahead,” said coach Vladimir Gojković.

Miroslav Perković played a significant role as a center, scoring at the start of the last quarter to narrow the score to 9:8, but Greece successfully defended against Montenegro’s efforts.

“We didn’t approach the match optimally, allowing a strong team to build a substantial lead. Regaining momentum became challenging; we gave our all, but fatigue hindered us. I’m proud of our determination, and now we must focus on our upcoming responsibilities, especially the World Cup,” emphasized Perković.

The World Cup in Doha kicks off on February 5, with Montenegro placed in a group with Serbia, the USA, and Japan.

“This match was arguably one of our weakest of the tournament, alongside the one against Italy. Our performance was poor, particularly in defense. We need to analyze our mistakes and rectify them to improve in Doha,” commented Dušan Matković.

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