(Videos & Photos) – A world record crowd of 18,000 fans saw hosts Serbia win their third successive European water polo championship with a 10-8 win over neighbors Montenegro on Saturday, the European Aquatics Federation (LEN) said.
The attendance beat the competition record of 11,000 for Serbia’s opening 13-6 win over Croatia, with the Kombank Arena’s capacity expanded for the clash between the traditional Balkan rivals.
“According to the organizers, more than 18,000 watched the final of the 32nd European Championship, which is a new world record attendance in aquatics in the modern era,” LEN said in a statement.
“Water polo reached unprecedented heights as all available seats in the venue were occupied and fans even stood on the terraces after the set-up had been transformed.”
Serbia, who are also the world champions, overcame a one-goal deficit in a strong final quarter to delight a fervent home crowd after an entertaining tussle.
Having earlier booked a place at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Serbia were joined by Montenegro who beat the more-fancied Hungary and Italy teams to reach the final.
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BELGRADE – Serbia – Montenegro 10:8 (1:3, 2:1, 3:2, 4:2). Serbian national team won the gold medal at the European Championship in water polo, after it defeated Montenegro in the great final with 10:8. The third consecutive gold for Serbian water polo players at the championships of the old continent.
For many years water polo players of Serbia dominated in pools in Europe and worldwide. Today they continued with superior game, but this time they did it in Belgrade, in front of their people.
The grand finale was dramatic, as Montenegro played a great match, leading much of the game, but Dejan Savic’s boys played bravely, boldly when it was the most needed and decided the match in the last quarter.
Maybe someone had doubts, but most importantly they did not. They did not give up a single moment, but with their distinctive game turned the score and at the end won against a great rival.
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