The Croatian men’s national water polo team’s ultimatum regarding the politically sensitive issue surrounding Kotor’s swimming pool has prompted a significant venue change for the World Cup finals. The event, initially set to take place in Kotor and Budva from April 11-13, will now be hosted in Podgorica, Montenegro.
This decision came after the Croatian Water Polo Federation firmly stated that their team would not compete in Kotor due to the swimming pool being named after Zoran Gopčević, a figure Croatia considers a war criminal. Gopčević, a former water polo player who won silver with the Yugoslav national team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, served as a guard commander at the Morinj camp during the Yugoslav wars, a site associated with atrocities against civilians. Croatia’s refusal to play at the facility led to mounting pressure on the Montenegrin federation and World Aquatics to act swiftly.
Official Statement from VPSCG
In response, the Montenegrin Water Polo and Swimming Federation (VPSCG) released an official statement explaining their decision to relocate the tournament.
“Following the recommendation from the Government of Montenegro and the concerns raised by the Croatian Water Polo Federation, we have decided to move the World Cup finals to Podgorica. While we had originally hoped to host the tournament in Kotor, the birthplace of Montenegrin water polo, and Budva, the current circumstances necessitated this change,” the VPSCG said.
The federation expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing their desire to unite the water polo community and avoid letting non-sporting issues overshadow the tournament.
“We believe that all qualified teams should participate in this sporting spectacle, and that circumstances unrelated to sports should not diminish the significance of this competition.”
The VPSCG also highlighted the logistical challenges in selecting an alternative venue. With Herceg Novi lacking a closed pool, Nikšić facing hotel capacity issues, and the Budva pool not meeting technical requirements for hosting such an event, Podgorica emerged as the only viable option.
A Compromise Amidst Controversy
While Podgorica’s swimming pool does not boast the technical facilities ideally suited for an event of this scale, the VPSCG has pledged to invest significant resources to ensure the finals are successfully organized. They acknowledged the infrastructural challenges facing water polo in Montenegro, calling on the government and other stakeholders to prioritize improving sports facilities in the future.
The federation also expressed hope that the controversy surrounding the Kotor pool would soon be resolved to preserve the unity of the water polo community. They praised the strong relationship between the Montenegrin and Croatian federations, emphasizing the success of the Regional League as a testament to their collaboration.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
The World Cup finals in Podgorica will bring together some of the top teams in the sport, including Spain, Hungary, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and Japan. Germany and the Netherlands will also join the competition, enriching the tournament with fresh talent and matchups.
The change in venue has intensified anticipation for the event, particularly the potential clash between Montenegro and Croatia in the quarter-finals. Montenegro, finishing third in the qualifiers, enters the finals under the guidance of a new coach and a strong home advantage. Meanwhile, Croatia, determined to assert their dominance after finishing fifth in the qualifiers, brings added motivation to the competition.
Despite the venue change, the stakes remain high, with the finals serving as a critical stepping stone for teams as they prepare for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this July.