Ćulet's Neolympic Games
Portals publish the Serbian team for the Olympic Games based on sources from World Swimming. As we have always respected the position of the selectors that the list is published after the end of the preparation part after which nothing can be changed, so we will wait for July 21st and the final position of Uroš Stevanović.
There will be no dilemma about some names. One of the security guards is Miloš Ćuk. Although he has been in the national team since 2011, this will be only the second Olympic story for Ćulet. And one day, when he hangs the trophy cap on the peg, he will have a phenomenal shooter to tell his heirs.
At the European Championship in Eindhoven in 2012, coach Udovicic played with Ćuk. The novelty was Šaponjić instead of Avramović. A few months later, for the Games in London, Ćuk, unexpectedly for many, dropped out of the combination, his cap was taken over by Mandić.
Only he and those closest to him know how they feel. It can hardly be seen from the facial expression. That expression on his face. When he scored the decisive goal from the box at the European Championship 2018 against Spain in the final, not a muscle moved. Just a small smile with the assessment of captain Filipović "Child-faced murderer's cock."
Let's go back to London, or rather to the period after it. Udovicic was replaced by Savić, who extended his hand to Ćuk. We talked then in Chelyabinsk, not a trace of anger, hard words, but he was clear that he would not respond to Udovičić's new invitation.
He continued to play, was great at the EP in Budapest 2014, trump card at the WC in Kazan 2015, safe at the EP in Belgrade 2016. The whole atmosphere in the world of water polo was in some way harmonious. If anyone should win Olympic gold in Rio, it is Serbia. It wasn't about creating pressure. No, Serbia was the only true favorite. Any other outcome would be a sensation.
Everything is known about that Rio. Torture in the group, then awakening and rhapsody in the knockout matches with Spain and Italy. Ćuk was hoping for the final, minutes, maybe a goal, participation in winning the gold against the Croats.
Elem, not to be boring, Ćule was injured in the semi-final. As far as I remember, everything seemed harmless, but as the hours passed it was clear that the hand had to be put in a cast, that nothing would come of playing. But the native of Novi Sad had his big role. The rivals in the final, the Croats, had no idea what was going on, nor did they deal with the Serbian "five" in solving the puzzle about the bandage or cast on Ćuk's hand. Sometimes he has it, sometimes he doesn't. Ćuk went to training regularly, swam sections, did everything normal.
Before the game, during the warm-up, Ćuk also swam, knowing that he would be an observer of the final from the best place, from the first row, from the reserve bench. While the Croats realized that the time for the tactics prepared for Ćuk was actually wasted time, Serbia stood back and celebrated. Ćuk did not play for a second, he was a hero from the shadows.
Other medals came later. It was to be expected that he would be in the lineup for Tokyo. At the Hilton Hotel, the other day before the publication of the list, Savić announced to Ćuk that Strahinja Rašović would be in his place. Ćuk went home without a word, disappointed
He left the hotel, it was not easy to get hold of him, although once, I think, he resented me for not doing much to eliminate him. It is quite possible that he is right.
He came to celebrate the gold in "Franš". He was not there in 2022 in Savić's new actions. I'm not sure, I don't think 2023 was interested in coming back. Stevanović was waiting. Who knows how many times they talked, when they agreed. Only Ćuk is in the team. He could have had four and he will stay for two participations in the Games.
London, Rio, Tokyo and now Paris. Every story is special.
Maybe these non-Olympic dashes of Miloš Ćuk will be able to be recorded even after Paris and we hope for a successful result.
A peaceful man from Novi Sad, so affected by media promotion, will have a motive that no other player will have. He will also have the desire that all other players will have.
Let them be fulfilled.
