Men, Round 1 – Group B: Montenegro v France 8-6

Vladimir Gojkovic, head coach, Montenegro:
“It’s the very much the beginning of the championships. We started off well but then missed a lot of shots. Later in the game we pulled trough. It did cost us a bit more physically from what we had expected but we remained focused till the end.”

Nenad Vukanic, head coach, France:
“We gave our best in the game. We went into the game wanting to play an even match for as much as we can. We aren’t just passers-by at the Europeans we want to learn and grow. The result? Well, it’s bitter sweet… What I can say is that I am very satisfied with the team as a whole, their approach to the match and how bravely they played.”

Mladan Janovic, player, Montenegro:
“It was a typical first match at the championships. No matter who you play against it’ s always tricky, especially for the favourites. It took a while for us to adapt to the pool but that’s normal. They’re a good team but later on our quality prevailed. All in all, everything’s as it was to be expected.”

Aleksandar Ivovic, player, Montenegro:
“A period of hard work and training is behind us and it became visible in this match. However, we still need to work on our tactics if we’re to go as far at this Europeans as we want to. We had some problems but managed to come back into the game. I think we missed 4-5 extramen so we need to work on that.”

Men, Round 1 – Group C: Turkey v Greece 1-27

Theodoros Vlachos, head coach, Greece:
“What can I say… Two very different teams. We already have our minds on the next game against the Netherlands. We want to be ready and prepared for the tough clashes ahead. We will do our best to get secure the best position in our group.”

Dimitrios Nikolaidis, player, Greece:
“It was an easy game, we played well. We’re now turning our minds onto the next match with the Netherlands. We want to continue playing well. Our aim is the top position in Group C. We also want to keep up the level of our game until the important clash against Croatia.”

Sinan Turunc, head coach, Turkey:
“This game was not balanced, such a heavy-weight against a light-weight rival. At the same time, we still need to learn many basic things when it comes to tactics. The lack of experience harmed us because we are the youngest team in this tournament. I hope that during the two weeks we are gaining enough experience and know-how in order to achieve decent results. My team is young and needs time to make it to the highest level, but I believe that after two more tournaments we will be in good shape.”

Men, Round 1 – Group A: Georgia v Hungary 5-12

Tamas Marcz, head coach, Hungary:
“A typical opening game where our rival played a bit more aggressively in the first part, at a level perhaps we were supposed to play. We created many chances but missed our shots for two and a half, three periods, still, it was in the air that sooner or later the gap will grow. I smelled that, the players smelled that and at the end it turned into a game we foresaw. Now our eyes and minds on our next match against Italy, it’s going to a superfight right from the beginning, we have to be ready from the very first moment.”

Viktor Nagy, goalie, Hungary:
“It was a good chance to practice and get settled for the tournament. I don’t mind that it was a bit tougher than expected as it prepared us for the next big match against Italy. It was more balanced for a while as we committed too many mistakes, we have to cut back the numbers of those heavily in order to gain a positive result in the next match. Against Italy it doesn’t matter how, just a single goal should favour as at the end.”

Revaz Chomakhidze, head coach, Georgia:
We played against a much better team. This is not the best we can do but there were some things we managed to fulfil, especially at the beginning we did OK. It’s just the 1st game of the Europeans. I hope we will grow as the tournament progresses.”

Marko Jelaca, player, Georgia:
“I’m very satisfied. It’s not easy to cope with a powerhouse such as Hungary but we managed to do that for the first three quarters. Later on our game declined which was somewhat expected. I think we are improving and have made a good impression. This match also served as a preparation for a very important game for us against Germany on Wednesday.”

Men, Round 1 – Group D: Russia v Slovakia 12-6

Konstantin Kharkov, player, Russia:
“It was a good game and I really like this swimming pool in Barcelona. We are also happy to win against Slovakia because they are a very good team, but today we were stronger.”

Petar Nizny, head coach, Slovakia:
“We didn’t score the goals we should have. It’ s a problem if we can’ t score in man-up situations. We absolutely have to improve that part of our game. I can’t remember exactly but it was something like 2 for 11. If we cannot improve that, we simply won’t do well at this Championships.”

Ladislav Vidumansky, player, Slovakia
“Well, the first match of the tournament is always difficult. We missed many man- up situations and we have to improve our efficiency. Still, it’s just a beginning of the Championships and now we have to prepare for the next match, taking one step at a time.”

Men, Round 1 – Group C: Croatia v Netherlands 15-8

Ivica Tucak, head coach, Croatia:
“We deserved to win. It’s always difficult to start the tournament with a victory no matter who your opponent is. We had some difficulties but all in all it was a routine win for us. We now move forward towards the next match.”

Andro Buslje, captain, Croatia:
“As usual, the first match of the tournament is always difficult and not without its risks. We made a lot of mistakes both in offence and defence but it’s no big deal. We’re tuning in, it will get better as the Championships moves on.”

Xavi Garcia, player, Croatia:
“It was a typical opening match of the tournament that we had to win. It was important for us to get a feeling of and feel well in the water. We kicked off the game well with a 3-0 lead which let us use the time and rotate the players but also as a good training for the important match against Greece on Friday.”

Harmen Muller, player, Netherlands:
“This is a really nice venue, the organisation is excellent, we are staying in a nice hotel, and the weather is good; so everything has been great so far. Regarding the match, it was hard and we played

fotos Deepbluemedia / Giorgio Scala

Photo Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Texto Gergely Csurka / Judit Valls
LEN Media Manager

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