In an atmosphere worthy of the greats of world water polo, representatives of Serbia and Italy spoke to the media before the semi-final match at the European Championship in Belgrade, which will be played on Friday at 8:30 p.m. The press conference was attended by a large number of domestic and foreign journalists.
Uroš Stevanović, Serbian coach, said:
– Before the tournament, we said that we didn’t know what to expect from ourselves. The tournament didn’t start well against the Netherlands, but after that we saw that we needed a game like that to change our approach, mentality, how to play, especially because the warm-up matches didn’t go as well. We didn’t look like we look now, but we improved from match to match. We played great matches against Spain and Hungary, so I hope we can stay at that level. Italy had their moment, they played fantastically. A young team, full of motivation, aggressive, they have nothing to lose and I’m sure they will give 200 percent to go to the final.
Things were not going well in Trebinje. Italy then caught the momentum that still holds it:
– Italy had their moment, they played fantastically. Young team, full of motivation, aggressive, they have nothing to lose.
What could be the key to success when it is known that Italians are in a new dress:
– The Italian team is new if we compare it to the World Cup in Singapore, but these players have been playing together in clubs for years. They know each other, they are a young team, they are not afraid, they go for the result, they play without tension, they fight, they try to beat everyone. We have to do everything to find an answer to that.
Nikola Jakšić was in the Arena ten years ago when the final against Montenegro was celebrated in front of almost 19,000 spectators.
– We had a lot of good feelings 10 years ago, both Uroš and I. I hope that the stands will be full and that they will support us in the two games like 10 years ago. I sincerely hope that the stands will be full like against Spain and that it will help us and give us support because that’s what we need.
Jakšić said about the situation in the team:
– We have been improving from match to match, but I don’t think we are at the level we want to be yet and I hope that the match against Italy will be the best so far. I believe that the team is ready, I knew it because we are playing against the best, a fantastic Italian team and we will be ready. It is easy to keep a mentality without euphoria when you win, but I hope that we will keep it and that we will be better.
Serbia has nothing to look for in the archives of their duel with Italy. The campaign brought in a completely new squad that has already done a good job.
– Many of my players started their preparations without playing for the national team, and their first match was in December in Hungary. So the number of their national caps was zero. A month later, they are playing against the three-time consecutive Olympic champion and now they have the opportunity to mature by playing the most beautiful match of their lives. This is what you live for, their will and perseverance have been rewarded. This is our opportunity to stabilize at this level. We have rhythm and counterattack and I think we will play at a good level – said Campagna.
He won two world gold medals in 2011 and 2019. For the first time, he beat our team in the final. He was also better in the semifinals of the London Games. The other matches went to Serbia, and some victories like those in Kazan, Rio and Tokyo are unforgettable.
– I know the Serbian mentality well because they are fantastic in many aspects, especially in character. When everyone thinks they have lost, they play fantastically. I admire them. My best friends, with whom I played and went through a lot in water polo, are Milanović and Radjenović, great people. I am very happy to compete against great athletes.
Captain Marco Del Lungo, the hero of the victory against Croatia, said:
– It’s a pleasure to play against Serbia. I played here 10 years ago. It’s important for us to be mentally prepared. That’s a key factor for this match. We gathered in December and from the first training we wanted to prove ourselves. I know what a semi-final is. Details will make the difference. This is a semi-final and everything is important for victory.
At 5 pm, the Hungarians and Greeks will meet in the first semi-final match. Both coaches Varga and Vlahos complimented each other but also emphasized that there is only one goal – victory.
