| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's water polo | ||
| Competitor for Yugoslavia Serbia and Montenegro Serbia |
||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 2004 Athens | Team competition |
| Bronze | 2008 Beijing | Team competition |
| World Championship | ||
| Bronze | 2003 Barcelona | Team Competition |
| Gold | 2005 Montreal | Team competition |
| Gold | 2009 Rome | Team competition |
| Silver | 2011 Shanghai | Team Competition |
| European Championship | ||
| Gold | 2003 Kranj | |
| Gold | 2006 Belgrade | |
| Silver | 2008 Málaga | |
| Bronze | 2010 Zagreb | |
| FINA World League | ||
| Silver | 2004 Long Beach | |
| Gold | 2005 Belgrade | |
| Gold | 2006 Athens | |
| Gold | 2007 Berlin | |
| Gold | 2008 Genova | |
| Bronze | 2009 Podgorica | |
| Gold | 2010 Niš | |
| Gold | 2011 Firenze | |
| FINA World Cup | ||
| Bronze | 2002 Belgrade | |
| Gold | 2006 Budapest | |
| Gold | 2010 Oreada | |
| Mediterranean Games | ||
| Gold | 2009 Pescara | Team competition |
Vanja Udovičić (Serbian Cyrillic: Вања Удовичић, pronounced [ʋâɲa udɔ̌ʋit͡ʃit͡ɕ]), (born 12 September 1982 in Belgrade, Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a professional Serbian water polo player. He played for Partizan Belgrade, Jadran Herceg Novi, CN Posillipo, Pro Recco and at the moment he plays for Mladost Zagreb. Most notable achievements in his club career so far are winning the LEN Euroleague two times with his former club Pro Recco. The first one in 2008 and the last one in 2010 in which final he scored 4 goals for his team bringing the title back to Pro Recco with his felow country man Filip Filipović scoring 2 goals.[1] With Serbian national team the most notable achievements are the gold medals from the World Championship in 2005, 2009, European gold in 2003 and 2006, European gold for juniors in 2000 and Olympic silver in 2004 and bronze in 2008.
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Since 2007, Udovičić's been playing defense for Italian club Pro Recco where he arrived after playing two seasons for CN Posillipo from Naples. He started his career in water polo club Partizan from Belgrade and then moved on to VK Jadran from Herceg Novi.
In June 2010, Pro Recco club leadership served Udovičić with an ultimatum in an effort to force him to switch his national team allegiance and start playing for the Italian national team. He refused, choosing to continue playing for the Serbian national team. As a result, Pro Recco terminated his contract.[2] His decision to remain loyal to his country resulted in a wave of positive reaction in the Serbian press, while Serbian Water Polo Association president publicly thanked Udovičić for refusing to cave into the Italian pressure.[3]
On 23rd March, 2005. Jadran successfully defended the national Cup of Serbia and Montenegro. In the return match of the finals, "Novljani" outplayed the black and whites and made up the three goal deficit from the first match in Belgrade. The most responsible one for the success of Jadran was Vanja Udovičić who scored 3 goals, including the last one which secured the trophy.[4] In May, 2005. Jadran took the lead (1-0) in the first match against Partizan in the final play-off state championship series, in their home ground pool in Igalo with a result 8:6 (0:1, 3:2 , 2:1, 3:2). Udovicic scored 2 goals for Jadran. Partizan won the second game, beating Jadran in Belgrade with 6:3 (3:1, 0:1, 2:0, 1:1) and equalized the final series (1-1) in playoff championship of Serbia and Montenegro. Udovičić didn't score this time. A convincing victory by Jadran in the 3rd play-off game. Jadran from Herceg Novi convincingly beat Partizan Raiffeisen in the third match of the final championship series. Reigning champions won the match in Igalo with a score 14:5 (1:1, 4:1, 6:1, 3:2). The result of the play-off series was now (2-1) for Jadran, and the title would be won by the first team to reach three wins. After a tied first quarter, the decision was made in the middle period, which Udovičić and his team-mates played really unbelievable, scoring 10 and receving just 2 goals! In those 14 minutes Gojković put an end to it, scoring a goal from more than 20 meter distance at the end of the quarter. The best player of the game was of course Vanja Udovičić, who scored 4 goals. Jadran got convincingly to the new national title. Jadran successfully defended the championship of Serbia and Montenegro as they beat Partizan with a 12:4 (3:1, 1:2, 6:0, 2:1) result. Jadran dominated thru championship play-off series. The final match was played at the sports center precincts of the pool "Banjica" in front of 1.000 spectators. Vanja Udovičić scored 3 goals and helped Jadran in defending the double crown, wining the Cup and the Championship of Serbia and Montenegro for the second consecutive time.[5] Vanja Udovičić was the final play-off series top scorer with 9 goals in four matches.
In February, 2010. Vanja and his Pro Recco team-mate Filipović were guests in Soria. They played an all-stars humanitarian match between Italy and the selection of foreigners playing in the Italian championship, and all proceeds from the match went to charity - to help Haiti, the victims of the recent devastating earthquake. Caps of all players were offered for sale at a symbolic price of 30 euros.[6] On 15th May, 2010. Pro Recco played the Euroleague final against VK Primorac. Start of the game was from minus two goals and a bad game in the attack were only one part of Pro Reccos game. The second part was brilliant Radić in Primorac goal. When Tempesti defended the counterattack which would take Primorac to 3:0, it gave strength to Udovičić and his teammates. In the second period, Udovičić and his teammates were better, and at half-time they went to a draw. The second half was much more like a game which adorned Pro Recco during the championship, the Pro Recco dance. The opponent was unable to cope with the Italian defense and Primorac couldnt score a goal in entire second half. Finally, Udovičić led Pro Recco to a new European title scoring 4 goals![7] In June, 2010. after winning the Euroleague, and earlier the Italian Cup, Pro Recco has won the championship play off series against Savona 3:0. Udovičić has contributed in the final with 2 goals, celebrating Pro Reccos 24th National Championship title.[8]
Following the 2010 European Championship that was held in Zagreb, the representatives of local club and record 7 times LEN Euroleague champions HAVK Mladost approached Udovičić about joining their club. Numerous clubs also approached Udovičić in a desire to sign him, including Partizan Belgrade, Olympiacos, Jug, Savona, Spartak, Jadran, Budva and Vojvodina. On 16 September 2010, he was unveiled as the Mladost new acquisition on a one-year contract. With the number 7 cap, according to unofficial information, he would earn about 120.000 euros. On his press conference, he stated: "Arrival in Mladost is a major challenge, this is the most successful European club that has a huge rating in the European water polo. I'm glad we agreed on the conditions and I hope to be fit as soon as possible so I can give the club what is expected of me."[9] Vanja was named "Athlete of the Year" by the LEN magazine in November. He came in first place with 59% of votes in front of Damir Burić with 29% and Stefano Tempesti 12%. The three of them all together won the LEN Euroleague with Pro Recco in 2010. He got the first trophy with Mladost in December 2010 winning the National Cup of Croatia. Mladost played against Primorje EB in the final defeating them 10:7. Udovičić was the top scorer in his team with 3 goals.[10] Vanja was offered a new contract in May 2011. which he didn't sign immediately. Beside the Zagrebs club offer, there were two other serious contenders for his engagement. Italians first division teams CN Posillipo and Savona. In August 2011. it was confirmed that Udovičić would stay and play at least one more season for Mladost. Contract details were confidential but it was assumed that his new contract was worth about 130.000 euros per season.[11][12]
VK Partizan
PVK Jadran
Circolo Nautico Posillipo
Pro Recco
Mladost Zagreb
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by First award |
FINA Water Polo Player of the Year 2010 |
Succeeded by Filip Filipović |
| Preceded by Guillermo Molina |
Most Valuable Player of Water Polo World Championship 2009 |
Succeeded by Filip Filipović |
| Preceded by Péter Biros |
Most Valuable Player of Water Polo European Championship 2010 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |