Gold for Montenegro

Tournament favourites Montenegro secured the gold medal on their debut in the LEN European Nations Trophy with a convincing 19-9 victory over former champions France.

Boris Zlokovic and Vladimir Gojkovic each scored four for Montenegro, while France captain Frederic Audon claimed three to take his tournament tally to 41 in seven matches.

Montenegro cruised through Group A with a 100 per cent record and stepped up a gear for the semi-final with Belarus, where they overwhelmed the opposition with a 26-1 demolition.

France also progressed from Group B with a perfect record and overcame Macedonia in the semi-final with a 12-9 win.

Montenegro's intent was clear from the moment they marched onto the pool deck for the national anthems. The 13 players - including five world champions from 2005 when Serbia and Montenegro won gold in Montreal, Zlokovic, Zdavko Radic, Nikola Janovic, Predrag Jokic and Gojkovic - turned to pledge their patriotism to the flag.

Montenegro's success was never in doubt as they won all four sessions with the following scores - 4-2, 5-3, 3-1 and 7-3.

Final placings

1. Montenegro
2. France
3. Belarus
4. Macedonia
5. Ukraine
6. Great Britain
7. Poland
8. Turkey
9. Malta
10. Israel
11. Belgium
12. Ireland