The Serbian men’s water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, after convincingly defeating Greece in the final round of Group A with a score of 15:5 (5:2, 4:1, 3:1, 3:1).
Coach Vladimir Vujasinović’s team started the game well and took the lead after just 21 seconds with a goal from Bogdan Gavrilović from the center position. Dušan Trtović, after less than two minutes of play, scored a precise shot from six meters to give Serbia a 2:0 lead, and Vasilije Martinović quickly scored a five-pointer for a three-goal lead.
The Serbian captain scored another goal midway through the first quarter, this time with a direct shot after a foul from six meters, for a big 4:0. Just 40 seconds later, Gavrilović increased the lead to 5:0 with his second goal, so Serbia had a convincing lead after just over four minutes of play. Greece managed to reduce the deficit by the end of the first half. Laskaridis used the player more, while Spahić made the first quarter score 5:2 with a minute and 27 seconds left.
Serbian water polo players continued in good rhythm even after a short break. Nemanja Stanojevic scored from six meters after one minute and 26 seconds of play in the second quarter for 6:2. Evangelos Pouros reduced the lead from the five-pointer to 6:3, but it was the only goal of the Greek national team in this period.
The Serbian defense, led by the reliable Milan Glušac in goal, stopped the Greek attacks, while the Serbian water polo players were effective again in the final quarter. Đorđe Vučinić used a player more for 7:3, and Martinović increased the score to 8:3 with his third goal. Although Zoran Božović received a red card with the right to be substituted at the end of the period, this did not disrupt the Serbian game. Viktor Urošević scored from six meters nine seconds before going to the big break and set the score of the first half – 9:3.
Serbia reached double figures after just one minute and 12 seconds of play in the third quarter. Martinović was sure from the penalty spot for 10:3, and Vučinić converted a player more just over a minute later, giving Serbia an eight-goal lead.
The Serbian captain scored his fifth goal of the match after less than four minutes of play in the third period, making it 12:3. The Serbian defense continued to control the game, while Greece scored its only goal in this period a little over a minute before the end, when Pouros used an extra player and set the score after three quarters – 12:4.
The nets were still for almost six minutes in the final period. Stanojevic scored from six meters with two minutes and 13 seconds left to make it 13:4, and Puros scored his third goal of the match just 22 seconds later.
Serbia scored two more goals in the final minute with a player more. Urošević increased the lead to 14:5 with one minute and 15 seconds left, while Marko Dimitrijević made it 15:5 with 11 seconds left before the final whistle.
The most efficient player in the Serbian national team was captain Vasilije Martinović with five goals. Bogdan Gavrilović, Nemanja Stanojević, Viktor Urošević and Đorđe Vučinić each scored twice, while Dušan Trtović and Marko Dimitrijević scored once each. Milan Glušac played the entire match and made 11 saves.
Serbia will play against Italy in the semi-finals of the Mediterranean Games, and the match is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, at 5:30 p.m.
Commenting on the victory over Greece and their place in the semifinals, Serbia coach Vladimir Vujasinović said that the team played excellent water polo throughout the group stage, including the final match.
– That gives me hope that we will be even better tomorrow. I hope that we have strength left, that we can play our water polo and, regardless of the opponent, that we play the best match of the summer and make it to the final.
When asked about the fact that fans love such convincing victories, Vujasinović briefly added.
– And coaches.
Speaking about Nikola Lukić’s injury, the Serbian coach said that he will not be able to continue the competition.
– Lukić, unfortunately, has a more serious injury, but what is there is, let’s move on. We have one player less. The others will give a little more than usual and I think we will make up for his absence.
Serbian national team player Bogdan Gavrilović congratulated his teammates and said that Serbia played a quality match from start to finish.
– It was a psychologically difficult game for us, considering that we lost to Montenegro two days ago, in a match in which we practically controlled the game and the result until the middle of the third quarter. In some critical moments, our concentration faltered. Today, everything was good and solid from start to finish. There is never a lack of motivation when we play for Serbia.
Gavrilović added that the most important thing now is for the team to rest well and prepare for the semifinals.
– I think that with this kind of desire and energy, victories will come naturally, and we have to continue in the same rhythm, especially tomorrow. I invite all fans to support us and send us energy, we will need it.
Serbian national team player Milan Glušac congratulated his teammates on the victory, and the Greek national team on a fair and correct fight.
– We knew what to expect from the Greeks. We prepared well for this match and responded to their game in the best possible way. The semi-finals await us, we hope for the best outcome and, with God’s help, we want to reach the very end.
Glušac pointed out that the match was also difficult in a psychological sense, since the stakes were a place in the semifinals.
– Once again, I would like to congratulate my teammates on the game they played. We raised the level of our defense, so I had a slightly easier job compared to the match against Montenegro. Now we are waiting for the semi-finals and continuing to prepare for the rest of the competition.
Greece – Serbia 5:15 (2:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:3)
GREECE: N. Mitrakis, Likoudis, Nikolaidis, Karatsas, G. Mitrakis, Laskaridis 1, K. Bicacos, A. Bicacos, Kastrinakis, Pouros 3, Spahic 1, Janatos, Andreadis, Zuzunis.
Coach: Anastasios Schizas.
SERBIA: Glušac, Pljevančić, Stanojevic 2, Urošević 2, Trtović 1, Milojevic, Vučinić 2, Dimitrijevic 1, Božović, Martinović 5, Gavrilović 2, Misović, Čonkić.
Coach: Vladimir Vujasinovic.
Player more: Serbia 4/7, Greece 2/10.
Peterci: Serbia 2/2, Greece 1/1.
Referees: Tamas Kovacs-Catlos (Hungary), Rok Vehovec (Slovenia).
