In a match that had no significance for the final standings, the fighting Montenegro deservedly defeated the exhausted Serbia 15:13 (4:6, 4:4, 4:2, 3:1). The success is the epilogue of a much better quality entry into the match, better play, especially in defense. As time went by, Serbia became weaker and weaker, especially in the last part when it did not realize a series of more players.
Scorers: Martinović and Mandić three, Lazić two, Vico, Nikola Jakšić, Strahinja Rašović, Randđelović and Drašović one each for Serbia, Vušković and Gojković three, Matković and Mršić two, Holod, Stupar, Vujović, Perković one each for Montenegro
It was as if the Serbs and Montenegrins had agreed to play without much pressure on the defense. In the first quarter, such a game put goalkeepers Glušac and Tešanović to great trouble, who were beaten 11 times. While Serbia had six scorers for their six goals, Montenegro had its most outstanding player in Vučković with three goals.
The shooting power did not decrease in the second eight minutes, so Serbia went into halftime with a 10:8 lead. The first eight goals were the work of eight players, only for Martinović to “spoil” that trend with two consecutive goals.
Filipović replaced Glušac in the third period. The Serbian attack stopped, became harmless, while the Montenegrins, despite several successful saves by Filipović, equalized. Lazić broke the Serbian post after 5.5 minutes for 11:10. After the equalizer by Mršić, a successful challenge by Stevanović followed, which brought Serbia a five-pointer over Viktor Rašović. Mandić regained the advantage. Savić requested a time-out 44 seconds before the last break and Gojković materialized it. Before the last eight minutes it was 12:12. Serbia played more aggressively in attack, had a player advantage several times. Only Mandić was accurate once. The defense of Montenegro with a player less kept the game tied. Stupar tied with a wonderful goal 3.04 to the end. After another bad attack, Matković defeated Filipović for the lead 14:13, 2.05 to go.
Stevanović asked for another challenge after Montenegro scored a goal. It was a timeout awarded to the Serbian attack. He was right, Serbia was given 1.5 seconds for the attack. Then came a player extra for Montenegro with 71 seconds left. Savić made the expected move, a minute of rest. He did not have Vujović, Mačić, Popadić and Radović at his disposal. Filipović saved Matković’s shot. Mandić hit the crossbar and Vučković put an end to Montenegro’s well-deserved victory with 19 seconds left.
Serbia – Montenegro 13:15 (6:4, 4:4, 2:4, 1:3)
Bazen Arena. Referees: Balanescu (Romania), Berishvili (Georgia). Player more: Serbia 19 (7), Montenegro 8 (4). Peterci: Serbia 1 (1), Montenegro 2 (2)
Serbia: Filipović, Mandić 3, S. Rasović 1, Randjelović 1, Ćuk, Lazić 2, Drasović 1, N. Jaksić 1, Vico, Dedović, P. Jaksić, V. Rasović, Glušac, Martinović 3.
Montenegro: Tešanović, Holod 1, Vujović 1, Mršić 2, Mačić, Popadić, Stupar 1, Vučković 4, Perković 1, Spaić, Matković 2, Radović, Đurović, Gojković 3.
