Belgrade “Kombank Arena” will turn into a real battlefield today, where Serbian and Montenegrin Water Polo National Teams will fight for the title of the European Champion. Due to extremely high demands, it was decided that the capacity of 11.500 seats expand to 16.000, and the tickets are sold in record time. Heated atmosphere, cheering and uncertainty are expected today at 17:45 at the full Arena.
Big and uncertain fight is also expected by the coach of the National Team Dejan Savić. “The majority of us have secretly hoped for this final, but it is sure that Serbia and Montenegro have shown their best in the pool and are deservedly here”, Savić sad at the press conference in Hotel M.
After convincing wins against Croatia, Malta, Slovakia, France, Russia and Greece, Serbia stands big chances to triumph at the largest European Championship in the history of Water Polo. The Dolphins will give their best in order to repeat the golden wins from Eindhoven and Budapest, as well as the success from 2006 when they won their first gold as Serbian National Team at Tašmajdan.
The contest in men’s competition has a tradition since 1926 and Championship in Budapest and is held for the 32nd time, while the ladies started competing in 1985 in Oslo and this tournament in Belgrade is 16th in the history. This year’s European Water Polo Championship is the largest in this sport’s history, where 16 men’s and 12 women’s National teams are competing.
At the final game of Olympic Games in 2000 in Sidney, a world recorded of visits at one Water Polo game was set. The final match between Hungary and Russia was watched by more than 17.000 people. Still, chances for setting a new record are realistic. “We are ready to move the curtain and to make this spectacle even bigger. We all know how much the support means to our boys. The exact capacity isn’t familiar yet, but I expect 16.000 visitors in the Arena”, marks Darko Udovičić, a director of the company „European Championship- Water Polo 2016“.
For those who have bought the tickets for the historical finals of the European Championship- be prepared for the exciting finals and fiery cheering, and those who will stay at their homes- get comfortable in front of your TV and cheer for Serbia, of course! The Dolphins for the win!