France’s Olivon committed a personal foul while he was swimming back to defense, Montenegro set a quick action, which was finished by Marko Petkovic’s goal for 10:7. However, the drama wasn’t over yet. A minute and a half before the end, Montenegro had a 3-goal advantage (11:8), but France didn’t give in. The French netted two quick goals and reduced the gap to one (10:11) – with 49 seconds left on the clock. Montenegro lost the ball in its last possession, and France had an opportunity to equalize. Still, three seconds before the end, Petar Tesanovic posted his 14th save today (this time, he blocked Bouet’s shot), so Montenegro kept a minimal advantage and a spot in the semifinals. Tesanovic was the MVP of the game. Quarterfinal 4 Serbia – Greece 13:6 (4:2, 5:2, 2:1, 2:1) Serbia: Mandic 4, Lazic 2, S. Rasovic 2, Drasovic 2, Jaksic 2, Radulovic 1. Greece: Genidounias 2, Skoumpakis 2, Kakaris 1, Gouvis 1.
Goalkeeper Petar Tesanovic was outstanding. He posted several excellent saves and boosted his team’s self-confidence. The hosts kept the French goalless between the 21st and the 29th minute, while thy netted three unanswered goals. In the 22nd minute, Djurdjic converted a penalty for 8:7. Just four seconds before the last break, Marko Mrsic fired the ball from 8 meters and Montenegro earned a 2-goal lead for the first time. Petar Tesanovic Photo by Deepbluemedia The hosts kept the momentum after the last pause.
France: Marzouki 6, Crousillat 2, Vernoux 1, Marion-Vernoux 1. France had no big pressure in today’s match because it had already qualified for the Super Final. But, the French proved that they had become a dangerous rival for all favorites and a contender for the high ranking in the major competitions. The first period belonged to the French, who opened the second quarter with an action goal (Mehdi Marzouki scored his 2nd of this evening’s six goals) and went to 5:2.
However, with the score still at 0-0 midway through the second half, Russia were awarded a penalty. That was missed by Roman Shirokov, with the ball running out for a throw in. A Russian player came to take it but appeared to be struck by more missiles thrown from the crowd. A fight then ensued among the players as the Russian team attempted to leave the pitch, with the referee eventually abandoning the match.
Montenegro v Russia suspended again... never seen anything like this. Most of Montenegro team tried to stay on the field. Russia just went— John Bradley (@JBcommentator) March 27, 2015 more missiles from crowd... plenty of scuffling between players.... so, Russia just walked off the field— John Bradley (@JBcommentator) March 27, 2015 The Russian news agency, TASS, claimed that play was only restarted after the first incident once Uefa president Michel Platini and his general secretary, Gianni Infantino, had been consulted via telephone. Regardless, the most likely consequence appears to be a 3-0 win awarded to the Russians – with Montenegro at further risk of stadium-related sanctions. It was later reported that Akinfeev had, in the one bright spot of the evening, avoided serious injury and would return by aeroplane to Russia with his team-mates.
“I apologise to the Russian players and staff for everything that’s happened. It is no surprise that the game was abandoned after the second incident, ” he told Montenegrin state television broadcaster RTCG. “My players are completely distraught, all of them are at a loss for words and I also don’t know what to say after all this. “We now don’t stand a chance [of qualifying] and also face a lengthy crowd ban. Fortunately, our FA president Dejan Savicevic has a very good reputation with Uefa, while we have to make sure we get back on the rails.
The last quarterfinal duel was a replay of the Olympic final. But, many of the players who featured in the gold medal match in Tokyo aren’t in Podgorica. Serbia is at a new beginning. Six Serbian aces retired from the national team after winning the second Olympic gold (Filipovic, G. Pijetlovic, D. Pijetlovic, Prlainovic, Aleksic, S. Mitrovic). Konstantinos Mourikis and Christodolous Kolomvos said goodbye to the Greek national team. Besides, a few key players of Greece (Fountoulis, Vlachopoulos, Zerdevas) miss the tournament in Podgorica.
Serbia and Montenegro continue chasing tickets for Super Final - Total WaterpoloMontenegro and Serbia defeated their respective rivals in the evening session of the quarterfinal day at the final tournament of the European Qualifications for World League in Podgorica. The neighbors joined Spain and Italy, which secured their spots among the top four earlier today. Montenegro narrowly beat France – 11:10 Serbia outplayed Greece – 13:6. Serbia is the only of the four group winners that advanced to the semifinals of the European qualifications.
Montenegro vs France Live Scores | LiveScore
France 24:23 Montenegro - Preliminary Round