The Montenegrin water polo team faced a tough loss in Fukuoka as Serbia triumphed in the five-a-side shootout (17:15 – 13:13 in regular play), compelling our team to navigate a more challenging path to the quarter-finals of the World Championship.

Currently, Montenegro is slated to face Croatia in the round of 16 – the “barracudas” just need to fulfill their favored status against Japan.

Montenegro squandered an excellent opportunity against the “dolphins,” having maintained a lead for over 25 minutes.

They even surged ahead with a 5:0 lead midway through the first quarter, led 8:4 in the second period, and were ahead 10:7 at the beginning of the third…

However, that advantage wasn’t sufficient, as Serbia remained in contention largely thanks to Đorđe Vučinić and Nikola Jakšić. In the final eight minutes, other players contributed, allowing Serbia to take the lead for the first time a minute and 18 seconds before the end – 13:12.

Aleksa Ukropina, the standout performer for the “Sharks” in this game, equalized with five points just 19 seconds before the conclusion, but Vladimir Gojković’s squad could not prevent their second defeat (following the loss to Spain in Round 2).

The “dolphins” converted all four penalty shots, while Montenegro failed to score on two (with Đuro Radović hitting the crossbar and Branislav Mitrović saving Dušan Matković’s attempt), ultimately finishing second in the group.

MONTENEGRO – SERBIA 15:17 – PENALTIES (6:3, 2:4, 3:2, 2:4, 2:4)

Fukuoka – “Marine Mesa” swimming pool. Referees: Aleksandrescu (Romania), Spiritosanto (USA). Extra players: Montenegro 9 (5), Serbia 7 (6). Penalties: Montenegro 1 (-), Serbia 2 (2).

Montenegro: Andrić, Mačić 1, Perković 1, Averka 2, Čučković 1, Popadić, Vidović, Đ. Radović 1, Ukropina 2, Matković 3, V. Radović 2, Tešanović (15 saves).

Serbia: Mišović (seven saves), Radulović 1, S. Rašović 1, Ranđelović 1, Lazić, Milojević, Drašović 1, Jakšić 3, Janković, Ubović 1, Vučinić 5, Mitrović (two saves).