The U15 water polo national team of Montenegro is set to compete in the Easter tournament in Varaždin from April 6 to 8, where they will also partake in their first official control matches as part of their preparations for the European Championship scheduled in Podgorica from July 8 to 16.

Alongside Montenegro and the hosting team, Croatia, the tournament will also feature Serbia and Italy.

Coach Nenad Vukanić emphasizes that the upcoming matches will serve as a significant test for his team.

“This is our sixth assembly. Previously, we had quality joint practices with Croatia and, more recently, with the Spanish team in Barcelona. Now we face five matches over two and a half days, a pace even more demanding than the European Championship. We are bringing 16 players to the tournament, ensuring everyone has a chance to showcase their abilities, which will provide us with a clearer understanding of both individual skills and overall team quality. I am confident that facing stronger teams will motivate them to demonstrate their capabilities and to maintain their commitment as we prepare for the summer and the major competition at home,” stated Vukanić.

While there’s no pressure regarding the results during the tournament in Croatia, achieving good results is still important.

“Our goal is to perform to the best of our abilities, gauge our standing against future rivals at the European Championship, and strive for victories,” Vukanić added.

As we are discussing young players just beginning their serious sporting journeys, the development of both the team and future stars must be approached with care.

“We are not avoiding results; we want to empower these young men to set ambitious goals while training them to eventually rise to the senior national team. These two processes must work in tandem. Playing the European Championship at home brings a lot of pressure, which can affect even seasoned players. We are committed to protecting them from this stress and preparing them thoroughly. Ensuring everyone is healthy and ready is vital, especially since our options are limited. I hope we can include a local player from Podgorica in the EP team, which would be a wonderful opportunity and could further harness the city’s potential. This is critically important for our water polo,” said Vukanić.

Following an outstanding playing career, Vukanić has also had a notable coaching journey that took him to the Olympic Games as the coach of France.

“Those who are passionate about their sport do not make choices based on convenience. This isn’t a step backward for me; rather, it brings me immense joy to return home, working with children from my own country and giving everything I can to assist their growth as both individuals and athletes. I approached this challenge with a bit of emotion,” Vukanić concluded.

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