On Sunday, 11 August, S secured the men’s water polo gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a thrilling 13-11 victory over Croatia. This win marks Serbia’s third consecutive Olympic gold in men’s water polo, capping off a dramatic tournament.
Serbia’s journey to gold was not straightforward. The team struggled in the group stages, suffering losses to Australia, Spain, and Hungary. However, they found their rhythm in the knockout rounds, stringing together three crucial victories to claim the top spot.
Milos Cuk played a pivotal role in the final, scoring three goals, while Nikola Jaksic contributed two more. Serbia’s defense was equally impressive, with goalkeeper Radoslav Filipovic making 11 crucial saves.
“We broke the barrier after the quarterfinal against Greece. From then on, we improved with each game and played as a cohesive unit. We won the gold medal deservedly,” Jaksic reflected on their performance.
Croatia, who were the silver medalists at the Rio 2016 Olympics, fell short once again. Despite their previous success, goalkeeper Marko Bijac admitted that Croatia did not perform at their best. “We were not at the level we were in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Serbia deserved this victory,” Bijac said.
In the battle for bronze, the United States emerged victorious over Hungary in a dramatic shootout, winning 11-8.
Men’s Water Polo Final Standings
| Medal | Team |
|---|---|
| Gold | Serbia |
| Silver | Croatia |
| Bronze | United States |
With this victory, Serbia continues its dominance in men’s water polo, showcasing resilience and skill to overcome early setbacks and secure the top prize.
