Dejan Udovičić


Dejan Udovičić is a Serbian professional water polo head coach. He became head coach in June 2006. after the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. As a senior, he played water polo for Partizan Belgrade and VK Beograd. As a club coach for Partizan, he worked since 2000–2009. In 2007 Euroleague Final Four in Milan he won the third place. His most notable achievements as a Serbian water polo head coach are gold medals from 2009 Rome World Championship and 2006 Belgrade and 2012 Eindhoven European Championship as also a bronze medal from the Olympic Games in 2008 Beijing.

Early life

Dejan and his twin brother Darko began playing water polo in elementary school. This was decided after the inducements of a father's friend, who saw them as the future of this sport. Both were attracted to other disciplines, but in the end the swimming and handling of the ball in the pool prevailed in reconciliation with other disciplines. At that time Partizan had good and proven coaches, who have emerged in the famous former Yugoslavian water polo school, which base was set by Bata Vlaho Orlić. For Dejan, Nikola Stamenić stood out as a top expert, who would first see his potential in being a coach. He went thru all Partizan and national teams with great success. For a full decade and a half, he wore black and white cap as a team captain. On the other hand, Darko was the recorder for most played games in the most successful national water polo team of all time. Because of the strong and merciless competition in their time, only the best were crowned thru their careers with a vast array of titles. Among them were Udovičić brothers. While his brother Darko still played, Dejan decided that the time has come for him to become a coach.

Club career as a coach

VK Partizan (2000–2009)

On 23 April 2009. Dejan Udovičić decided to leave the helm of black and whites! Young professional coach took responsibility for the defeat against the Jug in the quarterfinals of Euroleague, which cost the Serbian champions placement in the Final Four. He briefly said: "This was a moral act and part of responsibility for not going to the Final Four in Rijeka."

Career as a Serbian national team coach

2012 Olympic Games in London

At the first training session in Tašmajdan ahead of the preparations for the European Championship from 16 to 29 January 2012. in Eindhoven, Udovičić shared with his players images of the most valuable medal, which will be awarded to the best team in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He stated: "When it seems hard, these images will remind them why they work so hard!"

Honours

As a Coach

VK Partizan
In 2011. within the campaign "Quit smoking, insure your life", Dejan Udovičić with his fellow countryman Vlade Divac and Slobodan Soro recorded a TV commercial for Dunav Insurance, where they spoke to people intending to give up at least one packs of cigarettes a day for their health and future.