Dubai: Montenegro stormed into the semi-finals of the Fina Water Polo World League Super Final with a comfortable 10-4 quarter-final win over the USA at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Thursday.
Four goals from Mladjan Janovic made the difference as Montenegro looked to make up for some poor performances in the group stage — having earlier lost 14-5 to Serbia on Tuesday before battling to beat China 9-8 on Wednesday.
Vjekoslav Paskovic and Drasko Brguljan gave Montenegro a 2-0 first quarter lead before John Mann and Alex Bowen fought back in the second quarter with efforts either side of Mladjan Janovic’ brace to make it 4-2 on the interval.
Uros Cuckovic, Janovic and Drasko Brguljan added another three in the third quarter to go 7-2 ahead before Bret Bonanni and Anthony Daboub interrupted four goals from Darko Brguljan, Janovic, Cuckovic and Paskovic to finish 10-4.
Montenegro coach Ranko Perovic was pleased his team were able to bounce back from an unimpressive start. “I’m happy with the difference, they definitely played better. I wanted a reaction and that’s what they gave me,” he said. “If you win you learn something and if you lose you learn something, we’re here with a young team and we have to learn something from the opportunity to play at this level. I’m satisfied with reaching the semi-finals but we will have to see what happens tomorrow if we are to get any further.”
Meanwhile, USA coach Dejan Udovicic said he had expected more from his players. “There are many ways to lose a match but this is the worst because we didn’t try anything,” he said. “There is no reason why we can’t play with them and compete. We must immediately change the approach in our mentality. I know my team is the youngest here but that’s not an excuse, they must grow up as soon as possible.”
This six-day tournament, which ends on Saturday, not only gives European teams the perfect chance to prepare for next month’s European Championships in Budapest, Hungary (July 14 to 27) but the two finalists will also qualify to next year’s World Championships in Kazan, Russia. The champions will also take home a cheque for US $100,000.
