After we published the final results of this year’s Total Player Award, we bring you the first reactions from the laureates.
Maddie Musselman had a great season with Team USA and that was recognised by our Expert and Media Jury. With 75 points, she edged off her teammate (and Total Player 2019) Ashleigh Johnson for first place. Maddie's reaction after hearing she is the Total Player 2021:
Maddie Musselman (USA)
Total Player 2021 | USA National Player
"I’m humbled and honored to be named Total Player of the Year for 2021 amongst such an amazing pool of athletes. A huge thank you to my teammates, coaches, my family, and everyone cheering for Team USA for their support and guidance over the past year."The men's competition "battle" for the title was even closer. As expected, many Serbian players placed at the top of the final standings, but only a few points separated Dusan Mandic (143) and his captain Filip Filipovic (139). This is what Mandic stated after learning he was crowned Total Player 2021:
Dusan Mandic (SRB)
Total Player 2021 | Serbian National Player
"I'm honoured to be selected for the best water polo player in 2021 in the selection of the Total Waterpolo portal. I want to thank all the coaches, captains, media and the audience who voted for me. This award is a team victory, and my encouragement to do my best in the pool in the future!
I owe a special thanks to my former club, Pro Recco, teammates and coach Gabi Hernandez, with whom I started this year with the title of club European champion in Belgrade.
A big thank you to all my teammates in the Serbian national team led by captain Filip Filipović and coach Deki Savić, as well as people from the Water Polo Federation of Serbia, for winning gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and for holding on as a team and bravely until the very end!
It is the family that is my biggest support all the time and motivation to fight for new trophies! I wish the Total Waterpolo portal many more years of successful work in the world of water polo and that you continue to work on the promotion of our wonderful sport, just like all these years so far!"
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- Dusan Mandic (SRB) Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures
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- Dusan Mandic (Pro Recco) Photo: Pro Recco/FB
