Clash of the Water Polo Titans: Jug (Dubrovnik) vs. Primorje (Rijeka)

There is no question that Dubrovnik is the omphalos of the Planet Earth's sport of water polo.

The ambiance at one of Jug's games.

Any doubters of this assertion are invited to calculate the ratio of the number of polo players in the area (1 First A League team, 1 1B League team, 2 2nd League teams, 40+ beach teams organized in four so called 'Wild Leagues') to the number of inhabitants (around 50 thousand) and compare it with that of any other human inhabitat on Earth.

'Wild League' finals in the Old port (Dubrovnik)

And tomorrow (Wednesday, May 8), the pool in Gruz (Dubrovnik) will be an arena featuring the clash of Titans as "Primorje" from Rijeka swims out against Dubrovnik's "Jug".

Be that as it may, how many polo lovers are aware of the town of Cavtat's contribution to the game of water polo as such? Or, even that there are players from Cavtat on the teams of said Titans?

Waterpolo game in Cavtat

Notwithstanding the splendid 90-year history of the sport in the town of Cavtat which has thus far yielded eight olympians (Luko Vezilić, Goran Sukno, Maro Balić, Ivo Ivaniš, Elvis Fatović, Miho Bošković, Paulo Obradović, Sandro Sukno) and other great players (i.e. Josip Vezjak who has competed for the Croatian, Slovenian and Yugoslav national teams), of which we'll say a word or two at another time, let us briefly introduce the Cavtat's own who will participate in the tomorrow's game.

Playing for "Primorje":

Sandro Sukno

Paulo Obradović

Sandro Sukno, winner of the Olympic gold (2012) and so many MVP and other trophies listing of which would neatly fill the pages of a decent sized book. Many believe he is the best player of the game today.

Paulo Obradović, winner of the Olympic gold (2012), an excellent whole defender and one of the best and most powerful waterpolo canons today. Very few - if any - goalies would disagree. Most would probably just dive for cover.

Playing for "Jug":

Miho Bošković

Miho Bošković, winner of the Olympic gold (2012), voted Europe's MVP 2007 and 2012, and an all-around amazing player, clearheaded and at his best when the team needs him most.

True, "Jug" won the first match in the series the other day in Rijeka (albeit by a single goal), but tomorrow's rematch can tip in either direction.

Since both "Jug" and "Primorje" in their lineup have some of the game's top players, it goes without particular pointing out that the waterpolo afficionados worldwide can rightully expect the rematch (2nd game in the series for the title of the Croatian Champion for 2012) to be a showcase of the top skill and, at the very least, a game turbocharged-to-the-nth-degree.

Spectacularity given, let us proclaim in the spirit of the ancients: let the better team win!

• VK Jug
• VK Primorje
• VK Cavtat