We bring you the first reactions from this year’s Total 7 players.
"It's a huge honor and pleasure to be recognized in your sport, especially at that level and by a respected water polo website like Total Waterpolo. I'm even more honored that I was chosen by people who have proven to be experts in my sport. I'd like to thank them for that, as well as the Total Waterpolo website for such a prestigious recognition."
"Heyyy thank you very much! I want to thank everyone for voting for me. Also I want to thank my teammates and coaches in Brescia and the national team.. Was an amazing year that I'll never forget!"
"The outcome of the voting for the award confirms the quality of the Serbian national team. As for my four teammates picked for the best team, the Olympic gold medal was a crown of their outstanding seasons that started in national and European competitions for clubs. Dusan Mandic won the Champions League and was voted the MVP of the Final Eight. That is perhaps the crucial factor in why he won first place. Filip Filipovic and Dusko Pijetlovic gave enormous contributions to Szolnok’s successes in the previous season. Nikola Jaksic continues proving that he is an excellent all-rounder. He grows into one of the best players in the world. I am pleased to have been chosen as the best goalkeeper, particularly because the jury was composed of water polo experts. This is recognition for my many years of work. However, it isn’t only my reward, but the Serbian national team’s defense award."
"It's an honor to be voted to the 7 best players in the world, there were amazing names in this voting and be one of the "chosen" ones is something unique."
I am honored to be chosen in the best team in the world and I hope to justify that election in the upcoming years, but also to improve my game to reach the level of the best player in the world. I am really glad to receive this recognition."
"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!"