The Serbian men’s water polo team took fourth place at the first 4×4 World Water Polo Championship in Dubrovnik, after being defeated by Croatia in the bronze medal match with a score of 3:0 (3:2, 3:1, 4:2).
The first set was an even battle. Radosav Virijević initially saved a five-pointer from Roko Pelicarić, but Ivan Vukojević then gave Croatia the lead. Aleksandar Kovačević tied the score at 1:1, while Filip Kržić returned the lead to the home team with a bonus five-pointer. Filip Ćorić scored for 2:2, and Nardo Dragaš converted a five-pointer for the final 3:2. Virijević saved another five-pointer from Pelicarić in the last second.
Croatia took a 3-0 lead in the second set with goals from Hrvoje Zvon, Pelicarić and Ivan Vukojević. Petar Jović scored Serbia’s only goal in this period 21 seconds before the end, making the final score 3-1.
The home team opened the third set better. Ivan Vukojević and Toni Bušić gave Croatia a 2:0 lead, and Kovačević reduced it to 2:1. New goals from Ivan Vukojević and Pelicarić brought Croatia to 4:1, while Aleksa Petrovski made it 4:2 with a goal from the penalty spot.
Croatia thus won the bronze medal, while Serbia finished the inaugural edition of the 4×4 Water Polo World Championship in fourth place.
CROATIA – SERBIA 3:0 (3:2, 3:1, 4:2)
CROATIA: Batos, Zvono 1, Busic 1, Pelicaric 2, Krzic 1, Dragas 1, Ivan Vukojevic 4, Antonio Vukojevic.
Coach: Paulo Obradovic.
SERBIA: Virijevic, Jovic 1, Petrovski 1, Ljubenovic, Randjic, Kovacevic 2, Coric 1, Stanic.
Selector: Goran Krstonošić.
Peterci: Croatia 1/3, Serbia 1/1.
Bonus points: Croatia 1/1, Serbia 0/0.
Referees: Ruben Sapp (Netherlands) and Marina Fernandez Martos (Spain).
