PM Marković delivers plaques to golden water polo team from Malaga: First Montenegrin medal turned into national torch

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Podgorica, Montenegro (11 July 2018) -- Prime Minister Duško Marković said earlier today while delivering plaques to the men's national water polo team that won the gold medal at the 2008 European Championship in Malaga that the first medal after the restoration of independence and the team that won it contributed a lot to the development of the cult of the national team and playing under the flag and coat of arms of Montenegro.

"Your 2008 medal does not only shine but has turned into a national torch that represents Montenegro and its values," said the Prime Minister, reminding of the symbolism that the medal was won on the same day when Montenegro's ancestors fought for Montenegro in the 19th and 20th centuries.

"This jubilee is a confirmation that in Montenegro we have a comprehensive and national culture of memory of the values and results achieved by our citizens. We are proud of your gold medal and the fire that was started in 2008," the Prime Minister stressed. He added that Montenegro will always appreciate those who have achieved enviable results for their country, and that the Government stands by the water polo players from 2008 and their current heirs.

Sports Minister Nikola Janović, a player and captain of the 2008 "golden sharks," noted when addressing his teammates that he does not remember that a country came to victory in such an impressive way as Montenegro did in Malaga in 2008.

"On 13 July 2008, two years after the independence referendum, all political divisions and differences disappeared for a moment. Montenegro's victory flowed on the surface. All the media reported that Montenegro is a champion of Europe, while the Montenegrin streets and squares were flooded with red rivers of fans," said Minister Janović.

At today's ceremony, the Prime Minister delivered plaques to the national waterpolo team "in memory of one of the greatest successes in the history of the Montenegrin sport, which made a special contribution to the affirmation of the independence of the State of Montenegro".

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