HISTORY AND SUCCESS
OLYMPIC GAMES
Serbia made its first independent appearance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. At the previous two competitions, together with Montenegrin players, it won a bronze medal in Sydney 2000 and a silver medal in Athens 2004.
In Beijing, the national team was the main favorite for gold along with Hungary. That summer, Danilo Ikodinović ended his career due to serious injuries in a car accident. Before the Games, the World League was won in Genoa, and in Malaga at the European Championship, Serbia was second.
Not everything went well at the Olympics. In the semi-finals, they suffered an unexpected defeat to the USA 10:5, only to defeat Montenegro 6:4 in the fight for third place, without Šefik and Šapić.
The players were: Denis Šefik, Andrija Prlainović, Nikola Radjen, Vanja Udovićić, Dejan Savić, Duško Pijetlović, Filip Filipović, Aleksandar Ćirić, Aleksandar Šapić, Vladimir Vujasinović, Branko Peković, Živko Gočić and Slobodan Soro. The coach was Dejan Udovićić.
In London 2012, Serbia once again had the highest ambitions. After excellent games in the group, weaker games followed. In the semi-final, Italy was better. Montenegro led in the bronze medal match 11:8 with six minutes left, but our team pulled off a feat and won 12:11.
The players were: Slobodan Soro, Dušan Mandić, Živko Gočić, Vanja Udovićić, Aleksa Šaponjić, Duško Pijetlović, Slobodan Nikić, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Radjen, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Stefan and Gojko Pijetlović. The coach was Dejan Udovićić.
In Rio de Janeiro 2016, the gold medal was finally won. There were big problems, draws with Hungary and Greece and a sensational defeat by Brazil. Victories against Australia and Japan led Serbia to continue the fight for the medal.
Serbia played exceptionally well and with superior play defeated Spain in the quarterfinals 10:7, Italy in the semifinals 10:8, and Croatia in the gold medal match 11:7. It was also a great farewell for Gocić and Nikić.
The players were: Gojko Pijetlović, Dušan Mandić, Živko Gočić, Sava Randđelović, Miloš Ćuk, Duško Pijetlović, Slobodan Nikić, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Jakšić, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Mitrović and Branislav Mitrović. The coach was Dejan Savić.
In Tokyo five years later, Serbia was not the main favorite for gold. It was as if the model was the same. From the quarterfinals on, everything was as it should be. First, Italy was defeated 10:6 in the quarterfinals. The epic match was with Spain in the semifinals. Serbia was losing 8:6 four minutes before the end, only to make a turnaround and win with a goal by Filipović 10:9. In the final, Greece was defeated 13:11. It was the last match for Filipović, Prlainović, the Pijetlović brothers, Stefan Mitrović and Aleksić.
The players were: Gojko Pijetlović, Dušan Mandić, Nikola Dedović, Sava Randđelović, Strahinja Rašović, Duško Pijetlović, Đorđe Lazić, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Jakšić, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Mitrović and Branislav Mitrović. The coach was Dejan Savić.
In Paris 2024, few gave Serbia a chance for a medal. The change of generations had its effect. The players and the coaching staff, led by coach Stevanović, believed in success. After weaker games in the group, in the quarterfinals, the favored Greece was defeated 12:11 with a goal by Jakšić in the last seconds from a long distance. In the semifinals, they outplayed America 10:6 and in the grand final, Croatia 13:11.
The players were: Radoslav Filipović, Dušan Mandić, Nikola Dedović, Sava Randđelović, Miloš Ćuk, Nemanja Vico, Nemanja Ubović, Radomir Drašović, Nikola Jakšić, Strahinja Rašović, Petar Jakšić, Viktor Rašović, Vladimir Misović. The coach was Uroš Stevanović
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World championships
Serbian water polo players achieved their greatest successes at the World Championships in 2009 in Rome and 2015 in Kazan, when they won the gold medal.
The first appearance at the planetary championship took place in Melbourne in 2007. They won fourth place. In the semi-finals, Croatia defeated our national team, but in the bronze medal match, Spain was better after performing five-pointers.
Serbian water polo players achieved their greatest successes at the World Championships in 2009 in Rome and 2015 in Kazan, when they won the gold medal.
The first appearance at the planetary championship took place in Melbourne in 2007. They won fourth place. In the semi-finals, Croatia defeated our national team, but in the bronze medal match, Spain was better after performing five-pointers.
In Shanghai 2011, Serbia won silver. In the semifinals, they defeated Hungary 14:13 after a major upset, but were defeated by Italy in the gold medal match after overtime 8:7.
Montreal World Championships 2005
The players were: Slobodan Soro, Marko Avramović, Živko Gočić, Vanja Udovićić, Miloš Ćuk, Duško Pijetlović, Slobodan Nikić, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Radjen, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Mitrović and Gojko Pijetlović. The coach was Dejan Udovićić.
In Barcelona 2013, Serbia finished in seventh place. In the quarterfinals, Montenegro was better 9:8, and after a defeat against Spain, Australia was defeated 13:7. Dejan Savić made his debut as a coach.
In Kazan 2015, Serbia won first place with a dominant performance. In the quarterfinals, they defeated the USA 12:7, in the semifinals, Italy 10:6, and in the final, they were defeated by the excellent Croatian team 11:7.
The players were: Gojko Pijetlović, Dušan Mandić, Živko Gočić, Sava Randđelović, Miloš Ćuk, Duško Pijetlović, Slobodan Nikić, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Jakšić, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Mitrović and Branislav Mitrović. The coach was Dejan Savić.
In Budapest 2017, the bronze medal was won. In a great semi-final, Serbia was defeated by Croatia 12:11. In the duel that decided the bronze medal, Serbia was convincing against Greece 11:8.
The players were: Gojko Pijetlović, Dušan Mandić, Viktor Rašović, Sava Randđelović, Miloš Ćuk, Duško Pijetlović, Nemanja Ubović, Milan Aleksić, Nikola Jakšić, Filip Filipović, Andrija Prlainović, Stefan Mitrović and Branislav Mitrović. The coach was Dejan Savić.
Serbia won medals at subsequent world championships. In Guangzhou 2019, a rejuvenated team won fifth place. The same result was achieved in Budapest 2022. At the next championship in Fukuoka 2023, Serbia was defeated by Spain in the bronze medal match 9:6. In Doha 2024, Serbia finished sixth. In Singapore 2025, Serbia finished fourth after losing to Greece in the bronze medal match.
🥇 Titles: 2005 Montreal (SCG), 2009 Rome, 2015 Kazan
🥈 Silver: 2011 Shanghai
🥉 Bronze: 2017 Budapest
