Mladost water polo club announces major squad changes

The Mladost water polo club, the current national champions, is set for a major squad overhaul this summer, featuring a significantly younger team under the guidance of sporting director Petar Muslim.

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Marcelić and Vrlić are going to Radnički from Kragujevac, Harkov and Lončar to Olympiacos, Bašić to Hannover, Biljaka reportedly to Budva, and Buljubašić to Turkey.

Seven national team players, both former and current, are leaving the club. These include goalkeeper Marcelić and Vrlić, who are heading to Radnički in Serbia; Harkov and Lončar to Olympiacos in Greece; Bašić to Hannover in Germany; Biljaka reportedly to Budva in Montenegro; and Buljubašić to Turkey. This exodus of experienced players signals a clear direction towards rejuvenation for the team.

In contrast to the departures, Mladost is bringing in four new players. The league's top scorer, Tin Brubnjak, will join the team. From Pro Recco, left-handed player Lukaš Pavillard, a recent Croatian national team addition, is arriving. Left-handed center Luka Lozina, considered to be in his prime, comes from Hannover. The club is also signing young Russian player Georgi Panfilov from St. Petersburg, recommended by assistant coach Mirović.

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We are getting the league's top scorer Tin Brubnjak, left-handed Lukaš Pavillard, a new Croatian national team player, from Pro Recco. From Hannover comes left-handed center Luka Lozina, who is in his prime, and young Russian Georgi Panfilov.

Muslim also addressed the coaching situation, acknowledging the success of coach Hrvoje Hrestak, who led the team to the championship title. He also spoke about the previous coach, Zoran Bajić, who achieved success in the Cup and the Champions League but was replaced after a series of losses. The club's strategy includes developing junior players, aiming to have two to three homegrown talents in the squad at all times. The club's psychologist, Sandra Šućurović, is credited with significantly aiding communication and player insight, especially when managing players of different age groups.

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Baja did a good job, he won the Cup and got the team into the top eight in the Champions League. Unfortunately, we had four or five consecutive losses, so we decided on a coaching change.