The club’s seasons in the ex-Yugoslavia countries have started, or the beginning is approaching. The first round of the 2021/22 Croatian League has been played.
The Serbian Championship begins next week. On the eve of the start of the new champions, the Water Polo Federation of Serbia, celebrated a jubilee – 100 years of the Serbian water polo.
2021/22 Croatian League, Day 1
KPK Korcula – Jug AO 9:22 (3:5, 4:5, 2:8, 0:4)
Jadran Split – POSK 19:3 (6:3, 5:0, 6:0,2:0)
Medvescak – Mladost 6:19 (2:5, 2:6, 1:4, 1:4)
Primorje EB – Mornar BS 9:10 (2:3, 3:4, 1:2, 3:1)
Zadar – Solaris postponed
Title-holder Mladost, which left without several excellent players during the summer, easily defeated Medvescak in the Zagreb-derby. Matijas Biljaka and Marin Dasic were the best scorers. Each scored four goals.
Jug Dubrovnik ran over KPK Korcula. Newcomer Stylianos Argyropoulos (the winner of the Olympic silver) and young Marko Zuvela led Jug’s attack with four goals each. Returnee to Jug Maro Jokovic missed the first match in the season.
Jadran Split, which was significantly reinforced this summer, showed no mercy to POSK in the Split derby. Jerko Marinic Kragic (5 goals), Konstantin Khrakov and Duje Pejkovic (four each) topped the scorers’ list.
The most interesting game was played in Rijeka. Mornar led for most of the time of the match against Primorje. The visitors had a 3-goal lead before the final quarter (9:6). Primorje narrowed the difference 48 seconds from the end (9:10), but didn’t equalize.
100th birthday of Serbian water polo
100th birthday of Serbian water polo
The Serbian League will start on Wednesday.
Before the start of the new season, the Serbian Water Polo Federation (VSS) organized the Gala Academy on the occasion of 100 years of water polo in Serbia.
First water polo games were played on the territory of today’s Serbia early in the 20th century. Still, the year 1921 was a crucial milestone in the development of Serbian water polo. In August 1921, the first Yugoslavian championship in water polo was held. Serbian club SSU from Sombor (today’s Polet Sombor) became the first-ever Yugoslavian champion. Because of that, the first national championship and SSU’s success are considered the beginning of the era of modern water polo in Serbia.
The national team of Yugoslavia played its first official match in 1927. Since then, Serbian water polo players have won 94 medals at major competitions as members of the national teams of Yugoslavia (1927 – 2003), Serbia and Montenegro (2003 – 2006) and Serbia (since 2006). The most valuable trophies in the treasury are five Olympic golds (1968, 1984, 1988, 2016, 2021). Three Serbian clubs (Partizan, Becej, Crvena Zvezda) have become European champions.
Serbian national teams dominated in the year of the centennial anniversary, winning gold medals at the Olympic Games, the World U20 Championships and the European U17 Championships.
The ceremony was opened by the Water Polo Federation of Serbia president Viktor Jelenic. Then, Vanja Udovicic, the Minister of Youth and Sports in the Government of Serbia, held a speech. Both won many medals playing for national teams, while Udovicic was Serbia’s captain from 2009 to 2013.
After that, Serbian water legends entered the stage: Djordje Perisic (1968 Olympic champion and six-time European champion with Partizan), Igor Milanovic (1984 and 1988 Olympic champion and one of the best players of the 20th century), Dejan Savic (Serbia’s head coach since 2013 and a record-holder with 444 games for the national team), and Filip Filipovic (2016 and 2021 Olympic champion and Serbia’s captain between 2016 and 2021).
They spoke about the history of Serbian water polo by evoking memories of their careers. Perisic conveyed kind regards by his teammates from the 1968 Olympic team Ozren Bonacic, Roland Lopatni, and Karlo Stipanic, the three legends of the Croatian water polo.
Parts of TV series about the history of water polo in Serbia was premiered shown during the ceremony. A monograph about 100 years of Serbian water polo, written by Djordje Perisic and journalist Dejan Stevovic was presented at the end of the evening.
More news about water polo in Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro
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U Jugoslovenskom dramskom pozorištu u subotu je održana Svečana akademija povodom sto godina vaterpola na prostorima Srbije. Svečanosti su prisustvovali predsednik Skupštine Ivica Dačić, predsednik OKS Božidar Maljković, predstavnici saveza Crne Gore Vladimir Gojković i Radovan Milinić, veliki broj bivših igrača, trenera, sporskih radnika i prijatelja vaterpola.
Na Svečanoj akademiji su o vaterpolo uspesima govorile istinske legende ovog sporta. Đorđe Perišić koji je preneo pozdrave svojih saigrača iz Hrvatske, članova olimpijskog tima iz 1968, Igor Milanović, Dejan Savić i Filip Filipović.
Perišić je govorio o vaterpolo počecima na našim prostorima, zatim razvoju klupskog vaterpola, posebno Partizana i posebno o Olimpijskim igrama u Meksiku. Igor Milanović se osvrnuo na Igre u Los Anđelesu i Seulu i naravno nezaboravnom golu u finalu SP 1986. protiv Italije. Dejan Savić je pričao o danima posle sankcija, stvaranju jednog velikog tima pod rukovodstvom Nikole Stamenića kao i selektorskim danima. Filip Filipović je obuhvatio period od EP u Beogradu 2006. do osvajanja zlata u Tokiju 2021.
Razgovor su pratili trejleri iz serije o vaterpolu koja će biti emitovana tokom oktobra.
Prvakinja Narodnog pozorišta i internacionalni sudija Ivanka Raković Krstonošić je izvela himnu “Bože pravde”, dok je u uvodnom obraćanju predsednik Viktor Jelenić rekao:
– Dok sam pisao večerašnji govor osetio sam tremu kao pred neku bitnu vaterpolo utakmicu – 100 godina od početka vaterpola u Srbiji. Jedan vek. Nema sumnje bitan jubilej sporta koji nam je u tih prvih 100 godina doneo toliko radosti, toliko trofeja i medalja. Nabrajati sve medalje, a ima ih ukupno 94 sa najvećih takmičenja, bia nam oduzelo mnogo vremena. Lako se danas ti podaci pronađu. Da kažem da smo najbolji, najjači i da smo sovojili najviše trofeja istoriji našeg sporta, ne bi bilo možda u redu jer Srbija ima veliki broj trofejnih sportova kojima se ponosi. Šta danas da se kaže? Velika mi čast da se u ovo vreme danas nalizim na ovom mestu ka predsednik Vaterpolo saveza Srbije. Brojne generacije vaterpolista su se takmičile i borile za medalje i trofeje. Vodili su ih takođe vrhunski treneri. Nekada smo bili uspešni, nekada ne. Budimo iskreni imali smo sreću i znanjeda u većini prilika budemo na podijumu namenjenom osvajačima medalja – rekao je Jelenić i napomenuo:
– pet olimpijskih zlata
– pet zlatnih medalja sa svetskjih prvenstava
– osam najsjajnih odličja sa prvenstava Evrope
– devet klupskih trofeja Lige šampiona i još mnoga toga.
– To su najznačajniji momeneti vaterpola na našim prostorima. Za takve rezultate je bilo potrebno mnogo rada i odricanja. Nadam se da će se i u budućnosti nekim novim, mladim vaterpolistima koji sanjaju velike rezultati, snovi ostvariti. Treba da postanu prvo uspešni u svojim selekcijama, poput mnogih drugih a zatim i pravi nasledici velikih igrača koji su ostavili trag u svtekom vaterpolu Srbija nije samo sinonim za vaterpolo medalje. Organizivali smo veliki broj najvećih takmičenja od prvog Svetskog prvenstva 1973 do danas. Te ispite smo polagali sa najvišom ocenom, sa dobijenim čestitkama sa svih strana. Idemo dalje, želimo da nastavimo sa medaljama – kazao je Jelenić i nastavio:
– Za to su nam potrebni bazeni, da mladi dolaze i treniraju. Bazeni su nam potrebni svuda, u čitavoj Srbiji ali pre svega u Beogradu u kojem je poslednji olimpijski bazen napravljen pre 42 godine. Ponašanjem, odgovornošću prema reprezentaciji i zemlji čije smo boje branili, vrhunskim rezultatima mislimo da zaslužujemo da se ova naša želja ostvari. Svi rezultati postuignuti posledjih decenija, posebno oni koji su ostvareni pod zastavom Srbije, daju nam za pravo da verujemo da će i budućnost biti svetla kao i ovih 100 godina koje ponosno obeležavamo. Ne zaboravite, svaki plafon je novi pod. Želim na kraju da se zahvalim svima koji su verovali, pomagali i učestvovali na ovom putu dugom sto godina – zaključio je predsednik Vaterpolo saveza Srbije, Viktor Jelenić.
Posle Viktora Jelenića, prisutnima se obratio ministar omladine i sporta Vanja Udovičić:
– Dragi članovi porodice, ogromna je čast i privilegija što imam priliku da vam se obratim. Imam tu čast da pričam na temu ogromnog ponosa, ogromnog uspeha koji je iza nas nakon jednog veka. Imam želju da se obratim kao član vaterpolo porodice, član jedne uspešne priče, jedne istorijske priče, ponosa i nasleđa koje smo svi zajedno napravili. Imamo obavezu prema onima koji nisu u sali da im se zahvalimo na postavljanju snažnog temelja, gde smo svi krenuli njihovim stopama, kad su uspeli da pokrenu ovu sjajnu priču od bezbroj medalja, ne samo svetskih, evropskih i olimpijskih, već i juniorskih i kadetskih. Hvala starijom braći i sestrama koji su uspeli da kreiraju i pišu zlatnu istoriju ove priče najsjajnije sportske, srpske, srpsko-crnogorske i jugoslovenske priče, gde danas šaljemo poruku kako da se ugledamo na sve koji su kreirali ovo do sada, kao i na one koji su danas napravili istorijski uspeh za našu zemlju osvajanjem zlata na Olimpijskim igrama, juniorskim i kadetskim šampionatima – rekao je Udovičić .
Zahvalivši se svima koji su sastavni deo naše porodice, a nisu baš često pominjani – svim trenerima koji su bili uz igrače od prvih koraka, tehničkim radnicima na bazenima, svima koji su edukovali i tražili knjižice, bili tu da obrazuju i usmere vaterpoliste, Udovičić je nastavio:
– Biti vaterpolista, uvek je značilo biti šampion, oličenje obrazovanja i ponosa, biti primer i najsjajnija zvezda vodilja za buduće generacije. Želim da se zahvalim svima koji su omogućili da budemo ponosni na ovih sto godina. Sa ponosom prihvatamo i odgovornost da vratimo vaterpolu i učinimo ga i ubuduće najuspešnijim brendom u Srbiji, da budemo više tim koji pomera granice, postavlja nove rekorde i da se sve zemlje sveta ugledaju na Srbiju. Svim budućim generacijama želeo bih da poručim da se ugledaju na današnje istinske šampione, ali i da budu još uspešniji od nas, budu istinski heroji i uzori.
Završna scena Svečane akademije povodom obeležavanja 100 godina vaterpola na našim prostorima vezana je za monografiju “Prvih 100” posvećenu uspešnom vaterpolo veku. Napisali su je proslavljeni nekadašnji vaterpolo reprezentativac Đorđe Perišić i novinar Sportrskog Žurnala, Dejan Stevović.
Perišić je prvi primerak knjige poklonio Stefanu Brankoviću, kapitenu reprezentacije koja je nedavno osvojila Svetsko prvenstvo u Pragu za generaciju 2001.
– Poželeo sam mu da nastave sa uspesima, da posle ove osvoje drugu, treću i ko zna koju medalju – rekao je Perišić.
Time je akademija bila završena a neformalno druženje se nastavilo u hotelu Hilton.
]]>The referee’s decision is final. That has always been the case in water polo. But, worldwide we are making decisions based on our finite vision on a daily basis and sometimes wish we had some backup. VAR — Video Assisted Review — is that tool and it has made a sudden impact on the sport this year. No longer will goals at major events go unrewarded.
VAR — Video Assisted Review — was to the fore at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics water polo and its full impact was felt in both men’s and women’s competitions.
It was a long time coming, but its presence in Tokyo meant that 27 decisions were made with the assistance of the eight-camera technology and skilled operators.
Thirteen women’s and 14 men’s decisions came from the VAR in the 74 matches with it being utilised twice in one women’s and one men’s matches.
Some decisions on the television screen seemed inconclusive, but the VAR cameras are situated exactly on the goal-line on either side of the pool at each end. This exactness made it easier for referees to adjudge if the ball did indeed cross the line 100 per cent of the time.
It was amazing to see what did and didn’t cross, especially as I sat on the halfway line 10 rows up from pool level and was no judge of exactitude. The referee, however, could turn the dial frame by frame to ensure that a correct decision could be implemented.
Asked the reasoning behind VAR and its implementation at FINA events, Mark Koganov, Vice-Chair of the Technical Water Polo Committee, said: “It was for obvious reasons — better governance for the sport, better transparency and goal/no goal. You just have to look back to London 2012 and European Championships in Barcelona in 2018. Big scandals! So, we were searching for six months in the market for a company to work with and we did some research. Finally, we decided to go with this company, Slomo TV.
“They had no experience with water polo, but did have with other team sports. So, we built up a system according to our requirements. Basically, what it does now is not just goal/no goal, but it covers the entire field of play with benches, jury table and the pool and we can track what is happening during a game — wrong timeout call, incorrect player re-entry and the excluded player coming in early. We can observe all these situations.
“The goal/no goal is important, but it is not all.“
“We have two engineers travelling to the competitions and they are responsible for the installment and monitoring it during matches. As it was in Tokyo, there were special referees doing only VAR. Until now we had many referees, but at the Olympics they specialised only on VAR,” Mr Koganov said.
The system cost a lot of money for FINA, but for the game and the outcome of a tournament, this is the best, he said. “Tokyo proved that it’s worth the money spent.”
It is not just the goal/no goal that is in everyone’s mind.
“Most importantly, everyone knows we can use for after-match review for brutality or flagrant violations of the rules. It cannot go without punishment. We could do nothing about it in the past as were not able to review any situations. In Tokyo, we had no brutalities. It played a major role (as a deterrent). It has had a huge effect in our game, just the fact that we have it,” he said.
“We’re using it in Prague (FINA World Men’s Junior Championships) also, because we think all referees should get familiar with the system. This is the second group after Olympics and they will use it in the future.”
Mr Koganov says that where the VAR was not needed in Tokyo (50 per cent of the matches) it had the effect on the others of cleaning up the game.
“Usually what we do in very close calls, is we review after the game that the decision has been taken correctly.”
He said that some people had asked for the VAR viewing be incorporated with the television coverage and be shown on screen.
“Presently that is not possible. It’s possible in future, but we need to find a cheap solution. Software in tennis and other sports with animation costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Perhaps for the next major competition we will come up with some solution seen on the big screen,” Mr Koganov said.
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Serbia won the gold medal at the European U17 Championships in Malta.
The Serbs beat Greece convincingly (10:6) in the gold-medal match this evening.
Hungary takes home the bronze medal, after defeating Spain in the third-place game, which was ended in a penalty shootout (13:12). Interestingly, the final placement of the first four teams is the same as at the Tokyo Games.
The title in Malta is the third gold medal for Serbian national teams in the last month and a half. Serbia won the Olympic gold in Tokyo (beating Greece in the final). Two weeks ago, the Serbs climbed the highest step of the podium at the World U20 Championships. The juniors ended the golden row in Malta.
This summer, Serbia didn’t win gold only at the European U15 Championships in Portugal. The Serbs were eliminated in the quarterfinals, while Hungary finished 1st in Portugal.
Montenegro defeated Croatia in the 5th-place match (14:12), while the Netherlands was better than Italy (11:9) in the game for 7th place.
2021 European U17 Championships, Malta, Day 7
Final
Serbia – Greece 10:6 (2:0, 2:3, 3:1, 3:2)
Serbia: Pajkovic, Jaukovic, Dimitrijevic 1, Musikic 2, Kojic 1, Gajic, Bozovic 1, Urosevic, Kovacevic 1, Brescanski 3, Stanic 1, Pavlovic, Virijevic. Head coach: Korolija.
Greece: Damigos, Tourkomenis, Kandanoleon 1, Nikolaidis, Almyras, Kastranakis 1, Bitsakos 2, Ampazis 1, Myrilos, Spachits, Egnatiadis 1, Aleiftras 1. Head coach: Macheiras.
The Serbs had a 2:0 lead after five minutes of play. They played well in defense and kept the Greeks goalless until the 12th minute, when Kastrinakis converted a man-up for 1:2. That was the start of Greece’s 3:0 series. Less than a minute later, Egnatiadis leveled at 2:2. A minute and 42 seconds before the middle break Bitsakos found the net from a counter-attack, and Greeks quickly turned around a two-goal deficit to a 3:2 lead. But, Greece wasn’t in front for long. Immediately after Bitsakos’ goal, Stanic ended Serbia’s goalless phase, which lasted 10:21 minutes, while Dimitrijevic gave the Serbian team a 4:3 advantage 19 seconds before the end of the first half.
Greece leveled at 4:4 in its first possession in the third period. At the finish of this quarter, Serbia started breaking the opponent. Musikic converted a man-up for 5:4 (22nd minute). Brescanski scored two goals in the last 81 seconds of this period and the difference between the teams increased to three goals for the first time (7:4).
The Serbs opened the fourth quarter in the same way they closed the third. Just 24 seconds of the play in this quarter passed, and Serbia’s captain Bozovic hit the back of the net for 8:4. Serbia was very close to the title. Bitsakos made it 5:8 in the 27th minute, but Serbia’s center-forward replied shortly after (9:5). Four minutes and 16 seconds from the end, Almyras’ penalty shot was saved by Serbia’s goalkeeper Virijevic. In the next possession, Serbia earned a man-up, which Musikic converted to a 10:5 advantage, and that was the end of the contest. Greece couldn’t come back.
Viktor Urosevic (Serbia) was voted the MVP of the Championships.
Serbia won three gold medals at the European Juniors as the independent state (2007, 2015, 2021), and four as a part of Yugoslavia or Serbia and Montenegro (all winners’ list at the end of the article). Greece has never been a European champion in this age category, although it played in the final three times. It won silver medals in2001, 2010 and 2021. Two years ago, at the European Junior Championships in Georgia, Greece finished 4th, while Serbia took 5th place.
Bronze-medal match
Hungary- Spain 13:12 (1:2, 2:3, 3:2, 2:1, PSO 5:4)
Hungary: Nagy 3, Gaszt 3 (1 in PSO), Szepgalvi 1, Barics 1, Szecsi 1, Bede 1 (1), Meszaros 1 (1), Ionescu 1 (1), Szalai 1 (1).
Spain: Frigola 3 (1), Castro 3 (1), Perez 2, De La Cruz 1 (1), Gil 1 (1), Patchaliev 1.
Hungary was chasing Spain during all game, but it couldn’t take the lead in regular time. The Hungarians secured a draw in the 31st minute, and after that, they were better than the rival in the penalty shootout to win bronze.
Spain dictated the pace and managed to build a 2-goal difference several times (2:0, 5:3, 8:6). Hungary didn’t let Spain earn a big lead, but it didn’t have an advantage before the end of the 4th quarter. The Hungarians leveled at 2:2, 3:3, 5:5, and 6:6. In the 24th minute, Spain’s Patchaliev converted a man-up for 8:6. Early in the fourth, Perez added another goal from an extra for 8:6. But, Barics found the net for 7:8 immediately after. There were no goals for a while. Both teams strengthened their defenses. Only 69 seconds before the end, Hungary’s captain Roland Gaszt scored a great goal. He found the “hole” in Spain’s defense, and sent the ball into the net from the deep left. Both teams had chances to secure a victory in the remaining time, but the match entered the shootout.
All five players of the Hungarian team scored in the shootout. On the other end of the pool, Hungary’s goalie Gyapjas saved Lopez’s shot in the second round, and it turned out that it was crucial for the outcome.
Hungary won bronze, just like in Tbilisi two years ago, when Spain took silver, behind Italy.
For 5th place
Croatia – Montenegro 12:14 (4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:5)
Croatia: Mozara 4, Kolak 4, Cumbelic 1, Tiozzo 1, Burdjelez 1, Stojanac 1.
Montenegro: Boskovic 4, Vukicevic 4, Janovic 2, Vukicevic 1, Bastrica 1, D.Krivokapic 1, Hadzic 1.
Montenegro finished the tournament in 5th place as it played excellently in the last period of the game. The first three quarters were balanced, but Montenegro went ahead just once (7:6). Croatia had a slim advantage before the final eight minutes (10:9). After the last break, Montenegro scored three goals in three minutes and earned a 12:10 lead. Croatia’s Mozara netted for 11:12 three minutes and 15 seconds from the end. Everything was decided in the last minute and a half. Montenegro went to 14:11 with 26 seconds left. Croatia scored a consolation goal after that
For 7th place
Netherlands – Italy 11:9 (5:2, 2:2, 1:2, 3:3)
Netherlands:Wijgers 3, Snel 3, Ten Broek 2, Harreman 1, Voorvelt 1, Reijchard 1.
Italy: Braganti 2, Provenziani 2, Serino 2, Urbinati 1, Mancini 1, Rossi 1.
The Netherlands opened the Championships in Malta with a surprising victory over Italy on Day 1 of the group stage (8:5). Today, the Dutch beat the outgoing champion again, but the second win isn’t a surprise considering they played very well at the tournament. After a 5:2 first quarter, the Netherlands streched the margin to four in the 15th minute (7:3). By the end of the third period, the Italians halved the distance (6:8), while they cut the deficit to one goal (9:10) in the 31st minute. However, Ten Broek responded with a power-play goal for 11:9, and the Dutch secured the win.
Final standings
1 Serbia
2 Greece
3 Hungary
4 Spain
5 Montenegro
6 Croatia
7 Netherlands
8 Italy
9 Russia
10 Germany
11 Romania
12 Georgia
13 Malta
14 Ukraine
15 Turkey
16 Belarus
All winners
European U18 Championships
1983 (Istanbul, Turkey): Hungary
1985 (La Valetta, Malta): USSR
1987 (Athens, Greece): Yugoslavia
1989 (Istanbul, Turkey): Hungary
1991: not held
1993 (Veenendaal, Netherlands): Hungary
1995 (Esslingen, Germany): Yugoslavia
1997 (Maribor, Slovenia): Hungary
1999 (Sofia, Bulgaria): Croatia
2001 (Hagen, Germany): Hungary
2003 (Istanbul, Turkey): Serbia and Montenegro
2005 (Sofia, Bulgaria): Serbia and Montenegro
2007 (Gzira, Malta): Serbia
European U17 Championships
2008 (Belgrade, Serbia): Hungary
2010 (Stuttgart, Germany): Italy
2011 (Rijeka, Croatia): Croatia
2013 (Gzira, Malta): Montenegro
2015 (Baku Azerbaijan): Serbia
2017 (Gzira, Malta): Montenegro
2019 (Tbilisi, Georgia): Italy
2021 (Gzira, Malta): Serbia
rpski vaterpolisti rođeni 2004. godine i kasnije novi su šampioni Evrope! Mlađi juniori su u finalu Evropskog prvenstva na Malti pobedili Grčku rezultatom 10:6 (2:0, 2:3, 3:1, 3:2) i tako su zaokružili neverovatno leto za srpski vaterpolo, posle olimpijskog zlata u seniorskoj konkurenciji i svetskog zlata u juniorskoj konkurenciji.
Evropski šampioni su: Radosav Virijević (Radnički), Petar Pajković (Vojvodina), Pavle Mušikić (Banjica), Zoran Božović (Partizan), Andrija Jauković (Banjica), Petar Stanić (Valis), Viktor Urošević (Taš), Aleksandar Kovačević (Valis), Nikola Kojić (Partizan), Marko Dimitrijević (Partizan), Vuk Anđelić (Beograd), Rodoljub Gajić (Crvena Zvezda), Bogdan Brešćanski (Vojvodina), Mihajlo Pavlović (Banjica) i Veljko Fuštić (Beograd). Njih je sa klupe predvodio Miloš Korolija, a u stručnom štabu su bili još treneri Slobodan Nikić i Mijat Mijatović, doktor Miodrag Nastić i vođa puta Goran Čanković.
Srbija je u finalu odlično počela i povela je 2:0 golovima Aleksandra Kovačevića i Nikole Kojića. Grci su na prvi pogodak čekali 12 minuta, ali su potom za nešto više od dva minuta astigli do preokreta i vođstva od 4:2. Brzo se Srbija konsolidovala i do kraja prvog poluvremena je preko Petra Stanića i Marka Dimitrijevića vratila vođstvo od 4:3.
Poslednje izjednačenje na meču Grcima je početkom drugog poluvremena doneo Konstantinos Kandanoleon. U furioznoj završnici treće četvrtine, Srbija je golovima Pavla Mušikića i Bogdana Brešćanskog stigla do sigurnih 7:4, a razliku je dodatno uvećao Zoran Božović na otvaranju četvrte četvrtine. Maksimalnih “+5” Srbija je imala četiri minuta pre kraja posle drugog gola Mušikića i već tada je sve bilo jasno.
Najefikasniji je bio Brešćanski sa tri gola, dok je Mušikić dodao dva, a po jednom su pogađali Dimitrijević, Kojić, Božović, Kovačević i Stanić.
Srbija je u grupnoj fazi pobedila Tursku 17:3, Gruziju 17:13 i Grčku 9:8. Potom je u četvrtfinalu bila bolja od Holandije 11:10, u polufinalu od Mađarske 12:10 i u borbi za zlato od Grčke rezultatom 10:6.
Bronza je pripala Mađarskoj, koja je u borbi za treće mesto pobedila Španiju 13:12. Peta je Crna Gora posle pobede nad Hrvatskom rezultatom 14:12, dok je Holandija bila uspešnija od Italije u utakmici za sedmo mesto i slavila je sa 11:9.
Rusiji je pripalo deveto mesto, pošto je bila bolja od Nemačke 8:7, Rumunija je sa podjednako neizvesnih 10:9 savladala Gruziju u takmici za 11. mesto, Malta je bila sigurna protiv Ukrajine rezultatom 12:4 u meču za 13. mesto, dok je Turska posle pobede od 19:12 nad Belorusijom zauzela 15. mesto.
Srbija – Grčka 10:6 (2:0, 2:3, 3:1, 3:2)
Srbija: Pajković, Jauković, Dimitrijević 1, Mušikić 2, Kojić 1, Gajić, Božović 1, Urošević, Kovačević 1, Brešćanski 3, Stanić 1, Pavlović, Virijević.
Grčka: Damigos, Turkomenis, Kandanoleon 1, Nikolaidis, Almiras, Kastrinakis 1, Bitakos 2, Ampazis 1, Mirilos, Spahis, Enatidis 1, Alefiras.
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U ponedeljak, 20. septembra, na bazenu SRC “Milan Gale Muškatirović” u Beogradu nastavljaju se pripreme ženske juniorske vaterpolo reprezentacije Srbije, odnosno selekcije igračica rođenih 2002. godine i kasnije, a njih od 9. do 17. oktobra u Izraelu očekuje Svetsko prvenstvo.
Na spisku Dragane Ivković nalazi se 21 igračica, a to su Nikolina Travar (2001, Vojvodina), Miljana Dimitrijević (2001, Crvena zvezda), Miona Ivković (2004, Taš 2000), Aleksandra Anastasijević (2005, Crvena zvezda), Janja Kaplarević (2002, Vojvodina), Tijana Rončević (2003, SAD), Jelena Šarac (2003, Crvena zvezda), Tara Pejčić (2005, Crvena zvezda), Iva Lujić (2003, Crvena zvezda), Aleksandra Trmčić (2003, Palilula), Jana Lujić (2005, Crvena zvezda), Tijana Lukić (2005, Crvena zvezda), Hristina Ilić (2002, Crvena zvezda), Dijana Milovanović (2002, Crvena zvezda), Milana Popov (2002, Vojvodina), Mina Ignjić (2002, Palilula), Andrea Gašić (2003, Crvena zvezda), Tatjana Teodorović (2003, Crvena zvezda), Lolita Avdić (2003, Vojvodina), Ana Milićević (2003, Palilula) i Jovana Todorovski (2004, Crvena zvezda).
Pored Dragane Ivković, u stručnom štabu su pomoćni treneri Ivana Ćorović i Marko Janković, kondicioni trener Ivan Filipić, trener golmana Miroslav Tomović i fizioterapeut Dragana Ivković.
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Serbia and Greece will play in the final of the European U17 Championships in Malta. The match will be held on Sunday, and it will be a “replay” of the gold-medal match at the Olympic Games. The best Serbian and the best Greek team battled for the title in Tokyo two and a half months ago Serbia was better than Hungary in the first semifinals. At the end of the game, only two goals separated the rivals (12:10), but Serbia had a 6-goal advantage before the end of the fourth quarter. The duel between Spain and Greece offered more excitement. Greece secured a 3-goal win (11:8) in the final quarter. Croatia beat the Netherlands (10:7), while Montenegro defeated Italy (10:9) in the semifinals of the classification for 5th-8th place.
2021 European U17 Championships, Malta, Day 6
Semifinals
Serbia – Hungary 12:10 (3:2, 3:0, 6:4, 0:4)
Serbia:Kovacevic 4, Urosevic 3, Bozovic 2, Dimitrijevic 1, Musikic 1, Kojic 1.
Hungary: Nagz 4, Gaszt 2, Szepfalvi 1, Barics 1, Bede 1, Szalai 1.
Hungary was very dominant in the group stage and recorded a convincing win over Croatia in yesterday’s quarterfinals (10:4). On the other side, Serbia went a difficult road to come to the semifinals (they beat the Netherlands 10:9 in the quarters and had hard matches against Greece and Georgia in the group).
Both teams arrived in the semifinals recording four wins each, but, today’s duel was a one-sided contest for most of the time. Serbia built a big advantage in the middle two quarters, and there was no way back for Hungary, even though the Hungarians dominated the last eight minutes.
Hungary scored the first goal, but the Serbs replied with three for 3:1. The Hungarians halved the distance before the first break (2:3) and it seemed that this match would be an exciting battle.
However, the Hungarians couldn’t keep up with the Serbs in the second and third quarters. Serbia produced a 3:0 rush in the second quarter. Urosevic added one goal in the 18th minute for 7:2. Hungary tried to come back, but the Serbs controlled the match. In the middle of this period, they built a 6-goal advantage for the first time (9:3). Before the final eight minutes, Serbia led 12:6. Hungary scored four unanswered goals in the fourth period – the last one came in the 31st minute. But that was a slim consolation since they didn’t endanger Serbia’s victory.
Spain – Greece 8:11 (3:3, 2:2, 2:3, 1:3)
Spain: Gil 2, Frigola 2, Lopez 2, Castro 1, Ibanez 1.
Greece: Almyras 5, Nikolaidis 2, Bitsakos 2, Siamas 1, Spachits 1.
Both teams had ups and downs in the second semifinal. Spain grabbed an early 2:0 lead. Greece scored three quick goals and went in front (3:2). Spain regained a lead in the middle of the second period (5:4), but the Greeks leveled before the end of the first half (5:5).
The third period was a continuation of a big and equal battle, but the Greeks had a slim 8:7 lead at the end of the quarter.
Greece Bitaskos opened the fourth period with an action goal to stretch the margin to two (9:7). Frigola converted a man-up for 8:9. But, the Greeks broke the rival shortly after. Three minutes and 23 seconds before the end, Greece’s captain Almyras scored his fifth goal (10:8). Less than a minute later, Siamas found the net for 11:8 and these two quick goals proved vital for Greece’s win. Defenses dominated in the remaining time.
Semifinals 5th – 8th place
Netherlands – Croatia 7:10 (2:3, 1:3, 3:1, 1:3)
Netherlands: Ten Broek 3, Snel 2, Wijgers 2.
Croatia: Tiozzo 3, Mozara 2, Stojanac 1, Bakaric 1, Radan 1, Cumbelic 1, Kolak 1.
Croatia dictated the pace in the first semifinals for the classification 5th-8th place, but it didn’t beat the Netherlands easily. The Dutch were chasing Croatia all the way. The favorite secured the win in the last quarter.
The Croats earned an early 3:0 after just four minutes of play. The Dutch responded in the same way and equalized (3:3). That was followed by a new series of three goals by the Croatian team, which entered the second half leading 6:3. The persistent team of the Netherlands cut the deficit before the final period (6:7), but they couldn’t go further. The Croats opened the fourth quarter with two goals, they jumped to a 9:6 lead and maintained a 3-goal difference until the end.
Italy – Montenegro 9:10 (1:0, 1:4, 4:5, 3:1)
Italy:Provenziani 3, Agnolet 2, Rossi 2, Bragantini 1, Mancini 1.
Montenegro: Bastrica 3, Vukicevic 2, Vuckovic 1, Hadzic 1, Boskovic 1, P.Krivokapic 1, D. Krivokapic 1.
The second semifinals for the classification 5th-8th was an encounter between the teams of nations that won the previous two editions of the European U17 Championships (Montenegro clinched the title in 2017, while Italy won gold in 2019).
Italy started better and took a 1:0 lead. The Montenegrins responded with three goals for 3:1, and from that point on, they were always ahead. The Italians were coming back from time to time (2:3, 4:5, 5:6, 6:7). Montenegro scored two goals in the last 69 seconds of the third period for a solid 9:6 advantage. Italy’s Rossi converted a man-up for 7:9. Immediately, Vukicevic responded for 10:7. Italy scored two goals in the last two minutes, but it was too late.
Day 7 (September 18)
For 15th place: Belarus – Turkey (15:00)
For 13th place: Ukraine – Malta (16:30)
For 11th place: Georgia – Romania (18:00)
For 9th place: Germany – Russia (19:30)
Medal matches and games for 5th and 7th place will be played on Sunday.
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A series of extremely exciting matches at the European U17 Championships in Malta has continued.
Today, the quarterfinal games were played. Almost each of the four matches was an even contest in which everything was open until the very end. Spain, Serbia, Hungary, and Greece advanced to the semifinals.
Serbia edged out the Netherlands (11:10). Italy, the champion from Baku in 2019, and Spain, the runner-up from the previous Championships, faced off in a replay of the 2019 final. This time, Spain was better and celebrated a win after a penalty shootout (14:13). Greece defeated Montenegro narrowly (12:11).
Unlike Serbia, Spain and Greece, Hungary avoided a thrilling finish. The Hungarians, the bronze medalists in Baku, recorded a convincing 10:4 victory over Croatia.
Semifinals (September 17): Serbia – Hungary, Spain – Greece
To remind, the same four nations played in the semifinals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where Serbia took gold, Greece finished in 2nd place, and Hungary won bronze ahead of Spain.
2021 European U17 Championships, Malta, Day 5
Quarterfinals
Netherlands – Serbia 10:11 (1:1, 2:1, 2:4, 5:5)
Netherlands:Snel 3, Wouters 2, Ten Broek 2, Harreman 1, Voorvelt 1, Wugers 1.
Serbia:Musikic 3, Urosevic 2, Kovacevic 2, Dimitrijevic 1, Kojic 1, Bozovic 1, Fustic 1.
The Netherlands played very well at the Championships in Malta. The Dutch team proved that it could be an equal opponent to water polo powerhouses. Still, the Dutch didn’t reach the semifinals. The Serbs were calmer and more concentrated in the crucial moments and earned a spot in the semis.
Serbia scored an opening goal, but the Netherlands dictated the pace for more than two quarters and a half. In the 18th minute, the Dutch were two goals ahead of Serbia (4:2). Between 21st and 24th minute, the Serbs netted three straight goals to turn around the two-goal deficit to a 5:4 lead. Before the final quarter, Serbia had a slim 6:5 advantage.
The Netherlands equalized twice in the early stage of the fourth quarter (6:6 and 7:7). Midway through this quarter, the Serbs earned a two-goal lead for the first time (9:7), and the Dutch couldn’t equalize anymore, but they fought bravely until the end. Serbia’s Bozovic scored from a distance for 11:9 with 55 seconds remaining on the clock. Just 21 seconds from the end, the Dutch halved the deficit (10:11), but it was too late. Serbia kept the win and a spot in the semis. On the other side, the juniors from the Netherlands shouldn’t be disappointed. This generation has a bright future.
Italy – Spain 13:14 (1:3, 2:2, 4:1, 3:4, PSO 3:4)
Italy: Serino 3 (1 in PSO), Cammarota 2 (1), Dellacasa 2, Mancini 2, Provenziani 1 (1), Urbinati 1, Agnolet 1, Bragantini 1.
Spain: Castro 3 (1), Lopez 3 (1), Ibanez 2, Perez 2, De La Cruz 1 (1), Otero 1, Frigola 1, Gil 1 (1).
Italy qualified for the quarterfinals after a thrilling match and a penalty shootout win over Russia yesterday. Today’s encounter between Italy and Spain was very similar to yesterday’s game. However, Italy was a team that was closer to a victory in a regular time today, but it suffered a loss at the end of the thriller.
Spain got off to a great start and earned a 3:0 lead. The Spaniards maintained a 3-goal lead for a while, but Italy was coming back. In the middle of the third period, Spain had a 2-goal advantage (6:4). Then, Italy took control and went ahead (7:6) before the last eight minutes. The fourth period was a “tit for tat” battle. Spain leveled at 7:7, 8:8, 9:9, but Italy responded shortly after these three goals. Still, Italy had no response after Castro found the net for 10:10 with 67 seconds to go, and the drama was continued in the penalty shootout.
The Spaniards had stronger nerves in the shootout and will battle for medals. Italy, the reigning champion, will leave Malta empty-handed.
Croatia – Hungary 4:10 (1:2, 0:3, 2:2, 1:3)
Croatia: Mozara 2, Jankovic 2.
Hungary: Nagy 3, Bede 2, Szalai 2, Szepgalvi 1, Gaszt 1, Szecsi 1.
Hungary defeated Croatia easier than expected and stormed to the semifinals. A minute before the end of the first quarter, the sides were tied at 1:1. Bede opened Hungary’s series of goals in the 8th minute for 2:1. The Hungarians kept the neighbors scoreless in the second period, to enter the second half with a comfortable 5:1 lead. The Hungarians controlled the match, and Croatia, which played its worst game at the tournament, couldn’t endanger their victory.
Greece – Montenegro 12:11 (2:2, 3:3, 4:6, 3:0)
Greece:Almyras 3, Mathiopoulos 3, Spachits 3, Kastrinakis 1, Bitsakos 1, Kandaneleon 1.
Montenegro: bastrica 3, Vukicevic 2, Vuckovic 1, Boskovic 1, B. Krivokapic 1, Janovic 1, Vukicevic 1, D. Krivokapic 1.
The duel between Montenegro and Greece was a neck-and-neck race in the first two periods. There were a lot of turns, but the difference was never larger than a goal. At halftime, the score was 5:5. Greece had an 8:7 advantage in the middle of the third quarter, but Montenegro produced a 4:0 rush shortly after. A minute and 36 seconds before the last break, Montenegro’s Bastrica netted a nice backhander for 10:8 and two goals separated the rivals for the first time. Vukicevic stretched the margin to three (11:8), but Greece reduced the gap in the 24th minute (9:11).
After just 25 seconds of play in the final quarter, Greece came even closer (10:11). There were no goals in the following five minutes. Greece’s captain Andreas Almyras broke the silence in the 30th minute and leveled at 11:11. Montenegro had a double man-up in its next possession, but they failed to convert the chance and paid for that immediately. Almyras scored his 3rd goal and put the Greeks in front (12:11) with a minute and 28 seconds to go. Montenegro wasn’t able to level the score. Greece reached the semifinals of the European U17 Championship for the second time in a row. Two years ago, Greece was 4th in Baku.
For classification 9th – 12th, semifinals
Germany – Georgia 11:9 (3:2, 1:1, 3:3, 4:3)
Germany:Mancini 3, Hofmann 2, Wolf 2, Grosse 1, Taubert 1, Wiegmann 1, Rehm 1.
Georgia: Akhvlediani 5, Kirikidi 2, Chikovani 1,Kozashvili 1.
Russia – Romania 17:8 (4:5, 2:1, 3:1, 8:1)
Russia:Kravchenko 6, Alekseev 3, Ziuzin 2, Emtsev 2, Golubkov 1, Shifrin 1, Kvasov 1, Pankin 1.
Romania: Neamtu 3, Teodorescu 2, Sachetti 2, Orsos 1.
Germany and Russia will play for 9th place.
Day 6 (September 17)
Semifinals (5th – 8th place)
Netherlands – Croatia (15:00)
Italy – Montenegro (16:30)
Semifinals (1st – 4th place)
Serbia – Hungary (18:00)
Spain – Greece (19:30)
Montenegro, Spain, Hungary, and Serbia won 1st places in their respective groups at the European U17 Championships in Malta and qualified for the quarterfinals.
Spain secured 1st place in Group B yesterday. Hungary finished atop Group C without big troubles. The Hungarians cemented 1st place with a convincing win over Germany today (13:5).
Montenegro and Serbia booked tickets for the quarterfinals after exciting matches on Day 3. Montenegro earned a point against Italy (9:9) with a goal scored just five seconds from time and finished 1st in Group A. Serbia edged out Greece in the derby of Group D (9:8).
The Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Romania, Russia, Germany, Greece and Georgia go to the playoffs (eighth-finals).
Pairings for the playoffs: Netherlands – Germany, Russia – Italy, Croatia – Georgia, Greece – Romania.
2021 European U17 Championships, Malta, Day 3
Group A
Montenegro – Italy 9:9 (3:1, 2:3, 2:3, 2:2)
Netherlands – Ukraine 18:4 (3:0, 5:0, 3:3, 7:1)
Montenegro earned a valuable point against Italy with a last-gasp goal and kept 1st place in the group. The Montenegrins were in front for most of the time. They had a 2-goal advantage several times (3:1, 4:2, 6:4). Still, the teams were tied at 7:7 before the final eight minutes.
Montenegro earned an 8:7 lead in the 27th minute, but Italy responded with two goals and went ahead (9:8) at 02:54. This result suited none of these two teams. If the Italians had won with a 1-goal difference, the Netherlands would have finished first in this group, Montenegro 2nd, and Italy 3rd. (The Dutch beat Italy 8:5, while they lost to Montenegro 7:8).
Both teams fought hard in the final minutes. Eighteen seconds from the end, Montenegro called a time out and set up a 7 on 6 . Goalkeeper Bjelica went in the attack. And the goalkeeper became a hero. Just five seconds before the final buzzer, Bjelica found the net for 9:9 and Montenegro secured 1st place and a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands taught Ukraine a lesson to confirm 2nd place.
1 Montenegro 3 – 7
2 Netherlands 3 – 6
3 Italy 3 – 4
4 Ukraine 3 – 0
Group B
Croatia – Romania 10:5 (2:1, 1:1, 4:2, 3:1)
Malta – Spain 10:16 (5:3, 1:2, 3:5, 1:6)
Spain secured 1st place in Group B yesterday.
The match Croatia – Romania was decisive for 2nd place. The Croats started well. They had a 2:0 and a 4:2 lead. Still, Romania managed to catch up with the favorite in the middle of the third quarter (4:4). But, Croatia dominated in the following minutes. The Croats scored six unanswered goals for 10:4. The Romanians just reduced the gap after Croatia’s series of goals.
An encounter between Spain and Malta finished the group stage. This game couldn’t affect the final standings in Group B, so both teams played without pressure. Malta played better until 7:5. Then, Spain scored four goals in a row, went to 9:7, and took control. The hosts didn’t give in. They equalized late into the third quarter (9:9). Still, they ran out of gas for the final quarter, so Spain recorded a comfortable victory.
1 Spain 3 – 9
2 Croatia 3 – 6
3 Romania 3 – 3
4 Malta 3 – 0
Group C
Germany – Hungary 5:13 (1:4, 3:3, 0:5, 1:1)
Russia – Belarus 16:7 (4:0, 4:1, 5:2, 3:4)
There was no excitement in the last two matches of Group C.
Hungary defeated Germany and finished the group play with a perfect 3-0 record. The Hungarians led throughout the match. After a 4:1 first quarter, the second period saw a balanced battle. The Germans reduced the gap to two goals twice (2:4, 4:6), but Hungary blew away the rival in the third period.
Russia finished in 2nd place after beating neighbor Belarus. The Russians were favorites, and they proved that with an excellent opening of the game. They earned a 7:0 advantage by the middle of the second period. Russia slowed down after that big lead to save energy for the playoffs.
1 Hungary 3 – 9
2 Russia 3 – 6
3 Germany 3 – 3
4 Belarus 3 – 0
Group D
Serbia – Greece 9:8 (2:2, 2:1, 3:4, 2:1)
Georgia – Turkey 12:10 (3:3, 2:2, 3:2, 4:3)
Serbia and Greece clashed in the game for 1st place in the group. As expected, it was a hard battle. The Greeks led only in the first quarter (1:0, 2:1), but the teams were neck and neck for most of the time. In the 22nd minute, Serbia built a 2-goal lead for the first time (7:5), but the Greeks equalized before the last break (7:7). The Serbs opened the fourth period with a goal for 8:7 and kept the minimal advantage for a while. The Greeks leveled at 8:8 in the 30th minute. Just 17 seconds before the end, Serbia’s Urosevic found the net for 9:8, and all questions were answered. Serbia needed just a point to stay atop because of a better goal difference.
Georgia made the trouble to Greece and Serbia in the first two rounds, but they were pointless before the last round, as well as Turkey, which suffered big defeats on the first two days. After a thrilling battle, Georgia secured third place and a spot in the playoffs, where it will face Croatia. There were a few twists and turns in the first two quarters. Still, at halftime, the score was 5:5. Turkey scored the first goal in the second half (6:5). Georgia responded with two for 7:6 and entered the final period with a slim 8:7 advantage. The Turks equalized in the 26th minute (8:8), but Georgia earned a 2-goal lead by the middle of the quarter (10:8). Turkey cut the deficit twice (9:10 and 10:11). Eleven seconds before the end, Georgia’s Kirikadi converted a 6 on 5 and decided everything – 12:10
1 Serbia 3 – 9
2 Greece 3 – 6
3 Georgia 3 – 3
4 Turkey 3 – 0
Day 4 (September 15)
Playoffs
PO1:Netherlands – Germany
PO2:Russia – Italy
PO3:Croatia – Georgia
PO4: Greece – Romania
For classification 13th-16th, semifinals
Ukraine – Belarus
Malta – Turkey
Quarterfinals (September 16).
Winner PO1 – Serbia
Winner PO2 – Spain
Winner PO3 – Hungary
Winner PO4 – Montenegro
The draw for a new season of the Regional League was conducted in Zagreb today.
Thirteen teams will play in the 2021/22 Premier Regional League. It will be a single round-robin competition. Each team will play 12 games in the regular season.
But, there will be no home and away matches. A new competition formula will be used. All games of the regular season will be played in three tournaments. The teams are split into two groups (one group of seven and the other of six teams).
2021/22 Premier Regional League, draw for groups for first stage
Group A: Jug AO (CRO), Mladost (CRO), Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE), Sabac (SRB), Partizan (SRB), Budva (MNE) and Novi Beograd (SRB)
Group B:Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB), Jadran Split (SRB), Crvena Zvezda (SRB), Solaris (CRO), Primorac (MNE) Mornar BS (CRO)
The teams were sorted into the pots according to the ranking in the season 2020/21. Winner Radnicki and runner-up Jug were in the 1st pot of the draw; 3rd-placed Jadran Split and 4th-placed Mladost in the second, etc. Newcomer Novi Beograd was lonely in the 7th pot.
Formula and calendar
First stage-At the first tournament, all teams that are in the same group will play with each other (each team in Group A plays six, while each team in group B plays five matches in this stage).
Second stage-The groups will be mixed at the second tournament. Teams ranked 1st-3rd in Group A after the first stage will face teams ranked 4th-6th in Group B. Clubs ranked 1st-3rd in B group will play against teams ranked 4th-7th in Group A.
Third stage-Teams that didn’t play each other at the first two tournaments will face off in the third stage. At the third tournament, teams ranked 1st-3rd in Group A will play against teams placed 1st-3rd in Group B after the first stage. Clubs ranked 4th-7th in Group A will play against 4th-placed, 5th-placed, and 6th-placed in Group B.
All in all, each team will play 12 matches. The top four will qualify for the Final Four. The 13th-placed team will be relegated to the A1 League, while the 11th-placed and 12th-placed will go to the relegation playoffs.
Calendar
1st stage: November 24 – 27, 2021.
2nd stage: January 20 – 22, 2022.
3rd stage: February 17 – 19, 2022
FINAL FOUR: March 11 and 12.
The hosts of the tournament haven’t been determined yet.
A1 League
The second-tier competition (A1 Regional League) will be played in the same format (three tournaments and the playoffs).
Group A: Primorje EB (CRO), Medvescak (CRO), Nais Nis (SRB), KPK Korcula (CRO), Valis Valjevo (SRB) and Cattaro Kotor (MNE).
Group B: Vojvodina (SRB), Zemun (SRB), POSK (CRO), Proleter Zrenjanin (SRB), Zadar 1952 (CRO) and Triglav Kranj (SVN)