Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić today received the Serbian water polo team, who defeated Hungary 10:7 on Sunday in front of a packed Belgrade Arena, thus becoming European champions for the sixth time.
Miloš Ćuk and Dušan Mandić, who had been suffering from high fevers in the previous days, did not attend the reception. Some media outlets reported that Ćuk and Mandić were absent for unknown reasons, but the Serbian Water Polo Federation stated that these were health problems that have been plaguing a large number of national team players for several days, which was also discussed by coach Uroš Stevanović after the match.
The President stated on that occasion that he did not expect to win first place, but that he was all the happier for the great achievement and thanked the Serbian water polo players for the joy they brought to the Serbian people.
Immediately after the match, President Vučić congratulated the Serbian water polo players and thanked them for their hard work and effort, and at the reception he stated that it was very important that the majority of the national team players were playing in Serbia.
– I was in contact with the coach Stevanović and I knew how many sick players there were, viruses, pain, I was also grumpy and I didn’t expect gold. People like to say that they expected gold, but I don’t. In the second half, they showed a defense that has never been seen before. I have never seen anything like it, I congratulate the whole team, the Federation, I am proud that two guys play in Herceg Novi and Kotor, plus Mandić in Ferencvaros and Drašović in Marseille, and everyone else is in Serbia and that is the greatest success that most of the players play for us. Our obligation and debt to them must be fulfilled, to ensure that they give us champions like this in the future and to keep them in Serbia as much as possible – said Vučić.
He added that new challenges now await Serbian water polo players, which he hopes will be successfully completed.
– I don’t remember seeing such joy in Serbia, as if it were New Year’s or Christmas, there were fireworks everywhere. I didn’t even know that people had so many pyrotechnics, but it’s clear how much joy they brought to people. I congratulate everyone, the entire team, I wish them much success. The 2027 World Championship is in Budapest and that water polo classic is waiting for us, we only need two championships to overtake the Hungarians and be the best of all time. I think we will succeed in Budapest, and then the most important thing is, all of Serbia believes in you to reach the fourth consecutive Olympic gold. That will be a lesson for all time. Thank you for all the joy, effort, sacrifice, fighting spirit, love for sport, for Serbia, that you have always shown. Long live Serbia and all the best – said Vucic.
The President of the Water Polo Federation of Serbia, Viktor Jelenić, thanked the Government of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vučić for their support for water polo and other sports, emphasizing that everything was provided for the Serbian water polo players to win the title of European champion at the championship in Belgrade.
– I would like to thank the Government of Serbia, especially President Vučić, for helping all sports, not just water polo, this has been going on since he came to power. I would like to present him with a championship T-shirt, since Serbia is the champion, we also have a plaque for him. The President has provided everything for the Water Polo Federation, as he always does, which is the greatest help to sports – said Jelenić, who presented the President of Serbia with a T-shirt with the signatures of all Serbian water polo players who have become European champions, as well as a plaque as a sign of gratitude.
The President of the European Aquatics Federation, Antonio Silva, thanked Serbia for the excellent organization of the European Championships.
– Good morning, it is an honor for me to be here at the celebration and reception on the occasion of Serbia’s great success. My deepest gratitude to Serbia for everything it did to organize the tournament and to President Aleksandar Vučić, who made it possible for the championship to be held in this way and to promote the sport in the best possible way. During the two weeks of the competition, we saw that it was not easy, and the organizers did a great job. I congratulate the winners, Serbia, it was not possible to do this without great effort and effort. Thank you all, and especially the players. On behalf of captain Jakšić, I convey my congratulations to the entire team for their great work – said Silva.
