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Americans forfeited before the start

This year USA beat Serbia four times, lost one match, but their selector Udovicic said that it's impossible to beat Serbia. They surely won't with that attitude

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Australia created first problems for the prime favorites in Kazanj. Serbia knew what to expect from the Australian Sharks, but probably nobody, or a few of them, expected them to save the win in last moments. In the end it turned out that because of a referee's error Australia were short a point which would, according to the final result, be enough for a draw, but not for the first place.

- A difficult match, but we expected that. The Australians' good shape continues and has been going on since the start of the tournament. We tried to introduce our pace, we swam really good the whole time. We started out well but then fell in the third quarter. We managed to return and that's the best part of the match. Bad refereeing showed during fouls. What's important is that we've won and we're moving on - commented Serbia's selector Dejan Savic.

Serbia had the match under control for some 20 minutes. They were at 6-4 and they conceded all four goals on the defense they set up. Then Australia did a 4-0 series and were at 8-6 in the last eight minutes. Then Serbia started out again. At first, with a bit of luck, the ball with an extra player reached Aleksic at one meter from the goal. Then Prlainovic raised Mitrovic and came to 8-8. One minute later Gocic used too much space and did the same, and Filipovic ended up at 10-8 three and a half minutes before the end. Filipovic at the very end almost scored a self-goal, but Serbia managed to get out of trouble, which is a sign of the best.

As all quarter-finalists, Serbia got three days of rest. At first it sounds good, but it's too much time without a match. That proved fatal two years ago when Montenegro kicked Serbia out of the fight for the medal.

- Yes, that would be very bad for our team. After that being the fifth or the eighth is completely irrelevant. We fulfilled our goal with the Olympic norm, but now we want to do as much as we can. That's what we're used to doing - said Gocic.

USA will have a hard time doing the same. The Americans showed good water polo in Kazanj, and confirmed that in the round of 16 against Brazil. Three conceded goals against Brazil will tell you enough about their defense. Perroneo was limited to 1/8, Vrlic didn't even score, and they didn't even need Azeved's efficiency. Cupido scored two goals, and center Mann played the best match of the championship with three goals.

- Our coach team did a great preparation for the match. We were strong in the defense, they listened to my warnings. This team can do something special. We are a team to look out for - said the experienced goalkeeper Moses.

Not even that show was enough for the American selector to spread optimism before the quarter-finals against Serbia. Moreover, Udovicic immediately signed off his players from the start by saying USA don't stand a chance. Just as a reminder, two months ago those same players defeated Serbia four times in a row.

- Serbia are the only team who we can't beat.

Someone will see this as classic reverse psychology, but that's not sure. Serbia are prepared, whatever the case.

- We know Dejan, his goal is to keep the stress off his team, put pressure on us and try to surprise us. We won't fall for that - said Uros Stevanovic, assistant coach.

Udovicic is realistic, but he could have put some faith into his players. If Australia came close... With such a line-up USA won't make a surprise, that's sure.

- For us that will be a huge experience, it will be an honor to play against them. The reality is such and after that I plan to put younger players into the game. Of course I know Serbian players, we know each other. They're the strongest on the championship.

Since Udovicic doesn't trust in his players, their opponents do.

- I fear Mann the most. Selector Savic knows him well (author's note: he was his coach in Zvezda). They showed Brazilians with three conceded goals that they mean business. They could have easily beaten Greeks to make it straight into the quarter-finals. Now they're full of confidence - Stevanovic analyzes.

Serbia believe in themselves the most. Prlainovic's words explained that the best:

- We have to raise our shape to medal level, and then I really don't believe there are stronger teams than us. But we have to show that in the water.