In the game between Water polo Olympic and European one one side and world Champion on other Olympic and European prevailed. Serbia won in more than dramatic ending which only those two squads can make. Final result was 12:11 thanks to absolute beast from Pro Recco 32 year old left hand player Filip Filipovic who scored 3 last goals for home side. Open swimming pool was full of supporters, but everything was in sport limits.
Croatian player Buljubasic scored first using extra man in pool. Serbia missed chance with extra man, then Vukicevic doubled Croatia lead from 5 m. shoot. Serbia handled great Croatia offensive as goalkeeper Mitrovic saved few difficult shots. Near the end of first quarter Aleksic scored first goal for Serbia, but then just few seconds before end Jokovic made 1:3 for guests from another 5 m. penalty shot.
Croatians continued good in second part. Again 5 m. shot and Fatovic scored for 1:4. Serbian coach was very angry between two quarters. Serbians made one good counter attack and Mandic put the ball in the net for 2:4. That goal gave Serbia wings as Mitrovic scored another one for 3:4. Soon after Filipovic equalized result to 4:4. Serbia defended good with man down two times and then Prlainovic scored for 5:4 to Serbia. Serbian goal keeper Mitrovic did some world class goalkeeping in this period. Mandic then scored for 6:4. It looked like Croatian play fall apart. Vukcevic didn't think like that and scored for Croatia for 6:5 at half time.
Third quarter started with great mistake of Mandic and quick counter attack of Croatia and Vukcevic put the ball in the net for 6:6. Fatovic then scored with extra man for 6:7 for Croatia. Serbia were then awarded with 5 m. shot and Mandic made result 7:7. Serbia then failed to capitalize with extra man and then Buslje scored for Croatia for 7:8 at the end of third quarter.
Final quarter started with great action with extra man for Serbia. Filipovic founded Jakcic who sent ball behind Bijac for 8:8. Vrlic returned lead to Croatia. After that we saw the best moment of the game and spectacular goal of Mandic for madness on terraces and 9:9. Vukcevic scored goal for 9:10 for Croatia. At that moment Filip Filipovic came on big stage. He scored for 10:10 then he scored another one for 11:10. 28 seconds before the end Vukicevic equalized to 11:11. 18 seconds before the end Serbia was awarded with 5 m. penalty shot and FIlip Filipovic had no mercy. He scored for 12:11. Serbia won and celebration on terraces of Tasmajdan swimming pool could start.
This was dramatic game which only Olympic and Champions of Europe against Champions of World can make. Both sides deserve compliments for this game. It was hard competition wit 6 games in 6 days each of them harder than previous. Dolphins (nickname for Serbian squad) defeated barracudas (nickname for Croatian squad). Winner got ticket for Olympic games in Tokyo, gold medal and prize from FINA.
I am particular happy because of Filip Filipovic Water polo player from my neighborhood who learnt to play in Water polo club Partizan at "Banjica swimming pool" because I know how big sacrifice he and his family gave for his career and under which conditions he started his career. They paid from their pocket every abroad travel with club, thought about abandoning this non profit sport multiple times but fortunately did not. Hard work pays at the end. He is one of if not the best Water polo player in the world at the moment. Well done Filip! :)
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