Water Polo players reject Vujasinović again – 11 players will not return to the national team

Head coach Vladimir Vujasinović had hoped that time might ease the situation and allow the most experienced national team players to return, but talks with captain Nikola Jakšić and Dušan Mandić showed that there will be no change in their decision for now, reports Sport Klub.

The two players, along with the others who took the same stance in May, will remain out of the national team. Vujasinović then sent an email to the other national team players, acknowledging the current situation, wishing them a successful season and announcing that he would rely in the coming period on the squad that won bronze for Serbia at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.

However, another player has now joined the list of absentees. Nikola Lukić will not be available to the head coach due to a suspension imposed following a disciplinary violation.

This brings the number of players from the championship-winning generation that claimed gold in Belgrade to 12. Vujasinović’s current squad does not include Nikola Jakšić, Dušan Mandić, Strahinja Rašović, Sava Randjelović, Djordje Lazić, Nemanja Vico, Nikola Dedović, Viktor Rašović, Petar Jakšić, Radoslav Filipović, Radomir Drašović and Nikola Lukić.

Under the current circumstances, the coach will be able to count on Milan Glušac, Vasilije Martinović and Miloš Ćuk from the squad that won the European title.

The Water Polo Association of Serbia has also confirmed that this remains the current situation.