The Serbian youth water polo team (players under 20) has advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship, which is being held in Varna. Coach Miloš Korolija’s team will play against the Croatian national team for a place in the semifinals on Friday at 5 p.m.
GROUP STAGE
The Serbian water polo team played three matches in the group stage and recorded one win and two draws (after the five-a-side matches, one win and one loss). They took second place in Group B.
Spain – Serbia 12:12 (after penalty kicks 16:14)
Germany – Serbia 13:22
Montenegro – Serbia 14:14 (after penalty kicks 15:17)
Spain 8
Serbia 6
Montenegro 4
Germany 0
Miloš Korolija , head coach of the U20 Serbian national team:
“The first phase of the championship went well. We delivered the expected games and earned a direct place in the quarterfinals. The match against Spain, in which we missed a big lead and lost in five-pointers, has already been forgotten. We are aware that we played excellently for most of the match and built a significant lead with such play, but we reacted poorly to the change in the Spanish defense. Regardless, we could have won again, but what is, is what is.”
QUARTERFINAL PAIRINGS
SPAIN – HUNGARY
SERBIA – CROATIA
ITALY – NETHERLANDS (GERMANY)
GREECE – MONTENEGRO
Miloš Korolija , head coach of the U20 Serbian national team:
“I expect very good matches. In three matches, literally one ball or one attack will decide the winner. Only Italy is a clear favorite in the match against the Netherlands or Germany. It is interesting that Spain, which was first in our group, will play against Hungary, which, according to all the coaches before the championship, was considered the first favorite, but was only fourth in the group. We are expecting really high-quality and exciting matches.”
SERBIA – CROATIA
The Serbian national team will play against Croatia in the quarterfinals. The match is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. Serbian time.
Miloš Korolija , head coach of the U20 Serbian national team:
“I hope we will play against Croatia like we did for most of the match against Spain. We have not played against Croatia this year, but the players know each other well from the younger categories. I don’t think there will be any surprises. It is important that we have risen after the unfortunate end of the first round match. All the players are healthy, but we will not be able to count on Kosta Bodiroga, who, in my opinion, was unfairly suspended for two matches after a collision in the pool with a German player (he did not play against Montenegro).”
