In a bid to wrest the title from rivals Neptunes, and win their 32nd championship in history, Sliema McDonald’s yesterday announced they had signed two world waterpolo heavyweights – Gergely Kiss and Samir Barac.
In the build-up to the national league, to start in June, Sliema confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the two Olympic gold medallists to join their ranks for the 2013 summer season. This will be the first stint for both players in the Maltese league.
The Blues, who last won the league in 2009, have opted for two experienced outfield players who already proved themselves on the international and Olympic circuits.
Kiss is from Hungary and Barac boasts an impressive record for Croatia.
Many consider Kiss, 36, as one of the best left-handers the game has ever produced. In a glittering career he won three Olympic titles besides another gold and three silver medals at the World Championships.
Kiss was also a two-time winner of the European Championship and helped his country win the FINA World Cup.
Barac captained Croatia in last year’s gold medal success at the London Olympics. He was the driving force behind the team as they chalked up their first-ever Olympic title in waterpolo.
Besides the prestigious title of last year, he also has a gold and two bronze medals from the World Championship.
Barac was also in the Croatia team that won the FINA World League last year.