Montenegro’s water polo teams recently made waves at the World Championships. The men’s team delivered a stunning upset against Greece, securing a 10-9 victory in a thrilling match. This win marked a strong start for Montenegro in the tournament, showcasing their competitive spirit on the international stage.
Montenegro Men’s Team Stuns Greece in World Championships Opener
In a significant upset at the 2025 World Championships, Montenegro’s men’s water polo team defeated Greece 10-9 in their Group D preliminary round match. The Montenegrin squad established an early lead, scoring five goals in the first quarter and successfully blocking a Greek penalty shot. They maintained their advantage throughout the game, never relinquishing the lead.
- Key Takeaways:
- Montenegro secured a 10-9 victory over Greece.
- The team started strong with a 5-goal first quarter.
- Montenegro successfully defended against a Greek penalty shot.
Match Highlights and Key Players
The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth action. Montenegro’s Filip Gardasevic and Duro Radovic were instrumental in the victory, each contributing three goals. Petar Tesanovic, Montenegro’s goalkeeper, played a crucial role with seven saves, including a pivotal penalty stop. Greece’s Nikolaos Gkillas led his team with three goals.
- Scoring Leaders for Montenegro:
- Goalkeeper Performance:
Tournament Context and Group Standings
Montenegro’s win places them at the top of Group D alongside reigning world champions Croatia, who handily defeated China 25-6 in their opening match. This strong start positions Montenegro favorably for the remainder of the preliminary rounds. Other notable results from the opening days of the men’s water polo tournament included:
- Serbia (Olympic Champions) defeated South Africa 27-3.
- United States defeated Canada 18-9.
- Spain (2025 World Cup Champions) defeated Japan 22-16.
- Hungary defeated Australia 18-6.
- Italy overcame an early scare to defeat Romania 17-5.
- Brazil defeated Singapore 19-8.
Looking Ahead
Montenegro’s men’s team will now prepare for their next challenge, with a highly anticipated match against Croatia. This upcoming game will be crucial in determining the top spot in Group D and will test Montenegro’s ability to maintain their momentum against another strong contender.
Sources
- Montenegro vs Poland – Class. Games 5-8, FIBA.
- 2025 Worlds Water Polo Day 2: Montenegro Men Pull Off Upset Against Greece, SwimSwam.
- Montenegro men hold Greece at bay, World Aquatics.
- U.S. Men Top Canada as Water Polo Opens, Swimming World.
- Serbia vs Montenegro – Class. Game 7-8, FIBA.
