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Serbia men's national water polo team
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| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Serbia | |
| FINA code | SRB | |
| Nickname | Делфини / Delfini | |
| (The Dolphins) | ||
| Image | Waterpolo Association of Serbia.jpg | |
| Image_size | 250px | |
| Association | founded 1946 | |
| Confederation | LEN | |
| Coach | Uroš Stevanović | |
| Asst coach | Miloš Ćirić | |
| Stefan Ćirić | ||
| Captain | Nikola Jakšić | |
| Most caps | Dejan Savić (444) | |
| Top scorer | Aleksandar Šapić (981) | |
| FINA ranking | 7 | |
| FINA ranking date | 9 August 2021 | |
| FINA highest | 1 | |
| FINA highest year | 2009–2011, 2014–2019 | |
| FINA lowest | 7 | |
| FINA lowest year | 2025 | |
| First game | 7–1 YUG | |
| (Bologna, Italy; 31 August 1927) | ||
| as Serbia | ||
| 13–6 | ||
| (Belgrade, Serbia; 1 September 2006) | ||
| Biggest win | 62–0 | |
| (Kobe, Japan; 24 August 1985) | ||
| as Serbia | ||
| 31–0 | ||
| (Genoa, Italy; 18 June 2008) | ||
| Biggest defeat | 7–1 YUG | |
| (Bologna, Italy; 31 August 1927) | ||
| as Serbia | ||
| 16–7 | ||
| (Split, Croatia; 31 August 2022) | ||
| 16–7 | ||
| (Kalang, Singapore; 24 July 2025) | ||
| Olympics apps | 20 | |
| Olympics first | 1936 | |
| Olympics best | (1968 (YUG), 1984 (YUG), 1988 (YUG), 2016, 2020, 2024) | |
| 4-time Olympian | Vladimir Vujasinović (1996–2008) | |
| Dejan Savić (1996–2008) Aleksandar Šapić (1996–2008) Duško Pijetlović (2008–2020) Andrija Prlainović (2008–2020) Filip Filipović (2008–2020) Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) | ||
| Olympics most medals | 4-time | |
| Duško Pijetlović (2008–2020) | ||
| Andrija Prlainović (2008–2020) Filip Filipović (2008–2020) Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) | ||
| Olympics most titles | 3-time | |
| Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) | ||
| Olympics top scorer | Aleksandar Šapić | |
| (64 goals, 1996–2008) | ||
| Olympics most saves | Branislav Mitrović | |
| (130 saves, 2016–2020) | ||
| Olympics top sprinter | Aleksandar Ćirić | |
| (40 sprints won, 2000–2008) | ||
| Olympics flag bearer | Mirko Sandić (1972) | |
| Filip Filipović (2020) | ||
| World champ apps | 20 | |
| World champ first | 1973 | |
| World champ best | (1986 (YUG), 1991 (YUG), 2005 (SCG), 2009, 2015) | |
| World cup apps | 9 | |
| World cup first | 1997 | |
| World cup best | (2006, 2010, 2014) | |
| World league apps | 18 | |
| World league first | 2003 | |
| World league best | (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) | |
| Regional cup name | European Championship | |
| Regional cup apps | 32 | |
| Regional cup first | 1927 | |
| Regional cup best | (1991 (YUG), 2001 (YUG), 2003 (SCG), 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2026) | |
| Website | ||
| {{MedalCount | total | yes |
| Medaltemplates-expand | yes |
(The Dolphins) Stefan Ćirić (Bologna, Italy; 31 August 1927) as Serbia 13–6 (Belgrade, Serbia; 1 September 2006) (Kobe, Japan; 24 August 1985) as Serbia 31–0 (Genoa, Italy; 18 June 2008) (Bologna, Italy; 31 August 1927) as Serbia 16–7 (Split, Croatia; 31 August 2022) 16–7 (Kalang, Singapore; 24 July 2025) | 4-time Olympian = Vladimir Vujasinović (1996–2008) Dejan Savić (1996–2008) Aleksandar Šapić (1996–2008) Duško Pijetlović (2008–2020) Andrija Prlainović (2008–2020) Filip Filipović (2008–2020) Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) Duško Pijetlović (2008–2020) Andrija Prlainović (2008–2020) Filip Filipović (2008–2020) Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) Dušan Mandić (2012–2024) (64 goals, 1996–2008) (130 saves, 2016–2020) (40 sprints won, 2000–2008) Filip Filipović (2020) |Olympic Games|6|5|3 |World Championship|5|2|5 |World Cup|5|2|3 |World League|12|1|1 |European Championship|9|9|5 |Mediterranean Games|4|0|1 |Summer Universiade|4|1|2 | Medaltemplates-expand = yes
The Serbia men's national water polo team represents Serbia in international men's water polo. It is considered to be one of the most successful men's water polo teams in the world, winning medals in all Olympic tournaments it has entered since 2000.
Serbia has inherited the continuity of results and medals from all former state unions (Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro).
At the final of the European Championship held in Belgrade in 2016, a record attendance was set at a water polo match. The final between Serbia and Montenegro was watched by 18,473 fans.
Including the results of the former Yugoslav team, Serbia has won three consecutive gold medals in the Olympic water polo tournament (from 2016 to 2024), five World Championships, eight European Championships, three World Cups, record 14FINA World Leagues, four gold medals at Mediterranean Games, four gold medals at Summer Universiades and a gold medal at the first and so far only water polo tournament at the European Games, justifying the status of water polo as the national sport of Serbia. They won 9 straight big competitions: 2014 World League, 2014 Europeans, 2014 World Cup, 2015 World League, 2015 World Championships, 2016 Europeans, 2016 World League, 2016 Olympics, 2017 World League. Their golden streak came to an end at the 2017 Worlds when Croatia beat them in the semis, and they had to settle for the bronze medal.
In 2016, Serbia became the first national water polo team to simultaneously hold titles in all five existing major championships—European Championship, World Championship, World Cup, World League and Olympic Games. The team holds the record for the most consecutive World League titles, winning five consecutive titles from 2013 to 2017. They are Serbia's most successful national sports team, having won more titles than all other Serbian national teams combined.
Competitive record
Medals
Includes matches of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro and Serbia.
Updated after the 2026 European Championship
| Competition | Total | Total | 45 | 20 | 20 | 85 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 6 | 5 | 3 | 14 | ||
| World Championship | 5 | 2 | 5 | 12 | ||
| European Championship | 9 | 9 | 5 | 23 | ||
| World Cup | 5 | 2 | 3 | 10 | ||
| World League | 12 | 1 | 1 | 14 | ||
| Europa Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Mediterranean Games | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Summer Universiade | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
Olympic Games
Main article: Serbia men's Olympic water polo team records and statistics
| pages=mnt | format=dmy }} | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 to 1988 | part of SFR Yugoslavia | |
| as FR Yugoslavia | ||
| Spain 1992 Barcelona | suspended | |
| United States 1996 Atlanta | 8th | |
| Australia 2000 Sydney | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] | |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | ||
| Greece 2004 Athens | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] | |
| as Serbia | ||
| China 2008 Beijing | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] | |
| United Kingdom 2012 London | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] | |
| Brazil 2016 Rio de Janeiro | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] | |
| Japan 2020 Tokyo | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] | |
| France 2024 Paris | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] | |
| USA 2028 Los Angeles | future events | |
| AUS 2032 Brisbane |
World Championship
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1973 to 1991 | part of SFR Yugoslavia |
| as FR Yugoslavia | |
| Italy 1994 Rome | suspended |
| Australia 1998 Perth | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| Japan 2001 Fukuoka | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | |
| Spain 2003 Barcelona | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| Canada 2005 Montreal | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia | |
| Australia 2007 Melbourne | 4th |
| Italy 2009 Rome | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| China 2011 Shanghai | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] |
| Spain 2013 Barcelona | 7th |
| Russia 2015 Kazan | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Hungary 2017 Budapest | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| South Korea 2019 Gwangju | 5th |
| Hungary 2022 Budapest | 5th |
| Japan 2023 Fukuoka | 4th |
| Qatar 2024 Doha | 6th |
| Singapore 2025 Singapore | 4th |
| Hungary 2027 Budapest | future events |
| China 2029 Beijing |
European Championship
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1950 to 1991 | part of SFR Yugoslavia |
| as FR Yugoslavia | |
| United Kingdom 1993 Sheffield | suspended |
| Austria 1995 Vienna | did not participate |
| Spain 1997 Seville | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] |
| Italy 1999 Florence | 7th |
| Hungary 2001 Budapest | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | |
| Slovenia 2003 Kranj | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia | |
| Serbia 2006 Belgrade | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Spain 2008 Malaga | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] |
| Croatia 2010 Zagreb | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| Netherlands 2012 Eindhoven | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Hungary 2014 Budapest | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Serbia 2016 Belgrade | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Spain 2018 Barcelona | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Hungary 2020 Budapest | 5th |
| Croatia 2022 Split | 9th |
| Croatia 2024 Dubrovnik and Zagreb | 7th |
| Serbia 2026 Belgrade | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
World Cup
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1979 to 1991 | part of SFR Yugoslavia |
| as FR Yugoslavia | |
| Greece 1993 Athens | suspended |
| United States 1995 Atlanta | did not participate |
| Greece 1997 Athens | 7th |
| Australia 1999 Sydney | 5th |
| FR Yugoslavia 2002 Belgrade | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | |
| Hungary 2006 Budapest | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia | |
| Romania 2010 Oradea | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Kazakhstan 2014 Almaty | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Germany 2018 Berlin | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| USA 2023 Los Angeles | 7th |
| ROM 2025 Bucharest | 9th |
World League
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| as FR Yugoslavia | |
| Greece 2002 Patras | did not participate |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | |
| United States 2003 New York | 4th |
| United States 2004 Long Beach | [[File:Silver medal icon.svg]] |
| Serbia and Montenegro 2005 Belgrade | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Greece 2006 Athens | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia | |
| Germany 2007 Berlin | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Italy 2008 Genoa | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Montenegro 2009 Podgorica | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| Serbia 2010 Niš | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Italy 2011 Florence | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Kazakhstan 2012 Almaty | did not participate |
| Russia 2013 Chelyabinsk | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| UAE 2014 Dubai | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Italy 2015 Bergamo | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| China 2016 Huizhou | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Russia 2017 Ruza | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Hungary 2018 Budapest | preliminary round |
| SRB 2019 Belgrade | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Georgia 2020 Tbilisi | preliminary round |
| France 2022 Strasbourg | 5th |
Europa Cup
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| Croatia 2018 Rijeka | 4th |
| Croatia 2019 Zagreb | 6th |
Mediterranean Games
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1959 to 1991 | part of SFR Yugoslavia |
| as FR Yugoslavia | |
| France 1993 Languedoc-Roussillon | suspended |
| Italy 1997 Bari | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Tunisia 2001 Tunis | 4th |
| as Serbia and Montenegro | |
| ESP 2005 Almeria | [[File:Bronze medal icon.svg]] |
| as Serbia | |
| Italy 2009 Pescara | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Turkey 2013 Tunis | 6th |
| Spain 2018 Tarragona | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Algeria 2022 Oran | [[File:Gold medal icon.svg]] |
| Italy 2026 Taranto | future event |
Team
Current squad
Roster for the 2026 European Championships.
Head coach: Uroš Stevanović
- 1 Radoslav Filipović GK
- 2 Dušan Mandić FP
- 3 Strahinja Rašović FP
- 4 Sava Ranđelović FP
- 5 Miloš Ćuk FP
- 6 Đorđe Lazić FP
- 7 Radomir Drašović FP
- 8 Nikola Jakšić FP
- 9 Nemanja Vico FP
- 10 Nikola Dedović FP
- 11 Petar Jakšić FP
- 12 Viktor Rašović FP
- 13 Milan Glušac GK
- 14 Vasilije Martinović FP
- 15 Nikola Lukić FP
Coaches
- 1992–1999 Nikola Stamenić
- 1999–2004 Nenad Manojlović
- 2004–2006 Petar Porobić
- 2006–2012 Dejan Udovičić
- 2012–2022 Dejan Savić
- 2022– present Uroš Stevanović
Most appearances and goals
Main article: Serbia men's national water polo team statistics
Professional friendly and competitive matches only where Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro and now Serbia were represented.
| Name | Years | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dejan Savić | 1994–2008 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Šapić | 1997–2008 | |
| 3 | Filip Filipović | 2003–2021 | |
| 4 | Živko Gocić | 2003–2016 | |
| 5 | Slobodan Nikić | 2003–2016 | |
| 6 | Igor Milanović | 1984–1996 | |
| 7 | Aleksandar Ćirić | 1997–2008 | |
| 8 | Vladimir Vujasinović | 1990–2008 | |
| 9 | Duško Pijetlović | 2005–2021 | |
| 10 | Andrija Prlainović | 2005–2021 |
Statistics accurate as of matches played 6 August 2021
Philanthropy
On 25 December 2011, Serbia's water polo team was included in a humanitarian action "Bitka za Bebe" ("the Battle for the Babies") playing an exhibition match with the team of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences (FON), in Belgrade. Before the Serbian water polo team had joined the action, many other athletes were included. Among them was the world number one in tennis at that time, Novak Djokovic, football and basketball players of Red Star Belgrade, and many others. Proceeds from the ticket sales went to fund "Bitka za Bebe" and enough money was successfully raised to purchase one hundred incubator.
References
References
- https://europeanaquatics.org/federations-detail/?fed_id=64
- https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/sport-mix/vec-prvog-dana-svjetskog-prvenstva-u-vaterpolu-pao-svjetski-rekord-nevidena-blamaza-domacina-natjecanja-jugoslavija-vise-nije-na-vrhu-9120185
- https://www.b92.net/o/sport/vaterpolo/vesti?yyyy=2008&mm=06&dd=18&nav_id=304444
- https://www.worldaquatics.com/news/1910953/water-polo-mens-final-and-finally-its-serbia
- https://europeanaquatics.org/ewpc-2026/belgrade/belgrade-2026-european-water-polo-championships-final-preview/
- https://belgrade2026.rs/about-ewpc
- https://www.rts.rs/lat/sport/vaterpolo/2186505/prvo-zlato-a-onda-i-rekord.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://europeanaquatics.org/ewpc-2026/belgrade/belgrade-2026-european-water-polo-championships-final-preview/
- https://total-waterpolo.com/belgrade-2026-groups-a-and-c-stronger-half-of-the-field/
- "Rulers of all competitions". b92.net.
- "Vaterpolo Srbija – Serbia Water Polo: Osvojene medalje".
- https://belgrade2026.rs/nations/serbia
- {{Cite HistoFINA wp
- (5 January 2026). "Uroš Stevanović odredio spisak igrača za Evropsko prvenstvo".
- (9 January 2026). "Team Roster: Serbia".
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