The Serbian men’s water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the first 4×4 Water Polo World Championship in Dubrovnik, after defeating Bulgaria 3:1 in the quarterfinals.
Coach Goran Krstonošić’s team won the first set with a score of 5:1. Kovačević scored two goals, while Stanić, Ranđić and Ljubenović scored once each.
Bulgaria fought back in the second set and won 4:3. Ćorić scored two goals in that period, one from the bonus point, while Petrovski added one goal.
Serbia took control again in the third set. Kovačević and Ćorić scored two goals each for a 4:2 victory, and the Serbian water polo players then convincingly won the fourth set with a score of 6:2 and confirmed their place among the four best teams in the world.
The most efficient player in the Serbian national team was Ćorić with five goals, Kovačević scored four, and Stanić three. Petrovski, Ljubenović, and Ranđić each scored twice.
Serbia will play Spain in the semi-finals, which defeated Georgia 3-0 in the quarter-finals. The semi-final match is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, at 7:40 p.m.
Bulgaria – Serbia 1:3 (1:5, 4:3, 2:4, 2:6)
BULGARIA: M. Dimitrov, V. Dimitrov 1, A. Pelov, P. Pelov, Gančev 4, Stankov, Pangovski 1, Velkov 3.
Coach: Zarko Petrovic.
SERBIA: Virijevic, Jovic, Petrovski 2, Ljubenovic 2, Randjic 2, Kovacevic 4, Coric 5, Stanic 3.
Selector: Goran Krstonošić.
Player more: Bulgaria 2/3, Serbia 4/5.
Peterci: Bulgaria 0/1, Serbia 1/2.
Bonus points: Bulgaria 0/0, Serbia 1/1.
Referee: Tony Karaman (USA).
