Let’s analyse the current state of Serbian water polo…
Never harder, never worse, never more uncertain… And all this within a trophy-laden organisation (the Water Polo Federation of Serbia – VSS) whose national team are the reigning Olympic champions and, since three months ago, the current European champions as well.
It is precisely these fantastic results – and the new president Slobodan Soro’s assessment of how they were achieved (claiming they were merely a moment of inspiration rather than a reflection of genuine quality) – that have triggered a crisis unlike any remembered in Serbian sport.
The national team players have spoken out. Eleven of the fifteen squad members (captain Nikola Jakšić, Radoslav Filipović, Dušan Mandić, Strahinja Rašović, Sava Ranđelović, Đorđe Lazić, Radomir Drašović, Nemanja Vico, Nikola Dedović, Petar Jakšić and Viktor Rašović) signed a statement declaring their official position: they will not play for the national team while Slobodan Soro remains at the head of the federation.
The statement was not signed by Miloš Ćuk, Vasilije Martinović, Milan Glušac and Nikola Lukić – members of Novi Beograd, whose president is Soro himself, while the man who truly calls the shots is Aleksandar Šapić. Had they signed, unlike the other players, they could have been left without both club and national team. And we are certain that the president’s remarks about Paris and Belgrade did not make them particularly happy either.
A long-running conflict
The mutiny aboard this trophy-winning ship was preceded by the resignation of the architect of these successes, head coach Uroš Stevanović. Officially, differing views regarding the future of Serbian water polo were given as the reason for his departure.
The now former coach did not want to be forced to choose between the national team and his domestic club, nor did he wish to accept the assessment that his achievements were accidental.
Behind all this lies a long history of conflict – both between the Water Polo Federation of Serbia and Novi Beograd (read: Viktor Jelenić and Aleksandar Šapić), and between the national team leadership and the official management of the club.
In its personnel policy, Novi Beograd made several harsh and unfortunate moves towards its best players. During the 2022/2023 season, Dušan Mandić was banned from training midway through the campaign, while Nikola Jakšić, towards the end of the same season, was told that he could leave only for substantial compensation, otherwise he would sit in the stands.
At the time, then-coach Živko Gocić and then-director Soro could not have done this without approval – perhaps even direct suggestions – from Šapić.
All of this affected the work of the national team. Neither Stevanović, nor Mandić and Jakšić, forgot it. One need only remember the famous incident at the City Assembly when Mandić walked past Šapić without shaking his hand, leaving Šapić’s hand hanging awkwardly in the air.
Mandić revived his career at Ferencváros, while Jakšić later moved to Radnički.
Today, therefore, the Water Polo Federation has a president. Soro was elected unanimously (with only Crvena Zvezda abstaining) at the now infamous April assembly in Belgrade.
The meeting lasted 35 minutes. By prior agreement, there was no discussion – not a single debate about the numerous problems plaguing Serbian water polo (swimming pools, finances, club closures, the disappearance of women’s water polo, and more).
That in itself says much about the backbone of those who voted and who, through their silence, directly assumed their share of responsibility for everything now unfolding.
Likes from well-known figures
Soro’s statements provoked reactions not only from the coach and players, but also from a large section of the public, which sided with the stars.
The president has chosen to remain silent for now, though he is certainly seeking a solution together with Šapić and, very likely, influential figures within the SNS party.
There are currently no staffing solutions in sight. The names of the new head coach and secretary general remain unknown.
This is not a clash between government and opposition – this is solely a problem for the ruling authorities, a problem that can also be viewed politically. Someone will undoubtedly bear the consequences, because everything done before and after 29 April and the federation’s electoral assembly, was handled amateurishly.
Instead of waiting before making such strong statements, instead of reserving them for a meeting away from the public eye, instead of allowing the federation’s new governing bodies to discuss them first (though little would probably have changed), Soro fired immediately.
And he clearly missed the target.
While the resignation of the coach may have been anticipated (though perhaps not so quickly), the players’ reaction came as an unexpectedly fierce counterattack.
And as a large number of famous names continue appearing in social media “likes” – something the SNS pays close attention to – the situation for the current water polo leadership is becoming even more difficult.
What happens next?
So what now? Soro will likely avoid public appearances for some time, and the question is how secure his position really is. It is entirely possible that he could be forced to resign for the sake of “peace in the house”, with the SNS perhaps appointing someone from outside water polo to search for a solution. In this country, anything is possible.
The only certainty is that the Serbian championship final between Radnički and Novi Beograd will begin on 16 May.
On one side stands Uroš Stevanović, on the other Aleksandar Šapić.
The winning trophy and medals are supposed to be presented by federation president Slobodan Soro.
That should be interesting – especially if the title goes to Kragujevac. No one can be satisfied with the current state of affairs. The previous water polo leadership bears significant blame as well, and that must not be forgotten. They became complacent and detached from reality.
It is cold weather for a sport that is at its finest when played in summer.
Waves are crashing with full force against this trophy-decorated water polo ship. Whether there will be enough strength to avoid the iceberg – and prevent a Titanic-like destiny – remains to be seen.
(Radar, 08.05.2026)
https://radar.nova.rs/drustvo/vaterpolo-zrtva-rezimskog-obracuna/