Kristijan Milaković (born April 21, 1992) is a Croatian professional water polo player who currently plays for Savona[1][2] of the Serie A1 (water polo). He also represents the Croatia men's national water polo team. Although his primary positions are left or right flat (driver), he is polivalent player and he can play as Hole D as well. He is 203 cm tall and 105 kg heavy but his main advantage and the fact with whom he is making difference among other water polo players in the pool is 220 cm long arm span (reach).[3]

Kristijan Milaković
Kristijan Milaković playing for Croatia in 2014
Personal information
Born (1992-04-21) April 21, 1992 (age 32)
Zagreb, Croatia
Nationality Croatian
Height 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight 105 kg (231 lb)
Position Left driver
Number 8
Medal record
Men's water polo
Representing  Croatia
World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Almaty Team
U18 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2009 Šibenik Team
U17 European Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Belgrade Team

Personal life

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Kristijan Milaković was born and raised in Zagreb. He started with swimming, but at the age of 8 he switched to water polo.

In 2011 Milaković passed the entrance exam at the Zagreb School of Business to become a part-time undergraduate student of Communications management.

Club career

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VK Medveščak Zagreb

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Milaković started to play water polo at the age of 8 in VK Medveščak Zagreb. From first appearance he was considered as a major talent, what he proved through following years where he won numerous medals in youth (18) and junior (6) competitions and also by winning 4 individual awards. Because of his great performances he was transferred to senior team when he was 15 years old. After the first year where he collected experience and successfully overcame all the traps of senior age, his talent and skills once again came to the fore. His good performances were not missed by Mladost scouts who wanted to bring him in the summer of 2010, but Medveščak did not want to get rid of his services so easily. Milaković did not sink after an unsuccessful transfer, but became a leading player of VK Medveščak.[4][5] Especially he proved himself in Cup match against Mladost which resulted with the first victory of VK Medveščak after more than 40 years,[6] where he was one of the most notable individuals. After the end of 2010/11 season two clubs made an agreement and Milaković finally became new player of Mladost.

HAVK Mladost Zagreb

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After joining Mladost, Milaković started to adjust to new teammates and accordingly his performances varied.[7] His first notable performance with the new club was in the 2011 Croatian Cup finals, where he played under temperature. That fact did not stop him from helping his team by scoring 2 goals in a monstrous win over Jug[8][9] who entered the finals as a huge favorite. He continued with playing his first season in "warm-cold" style with occasional flashes.[10] The first season with Mladost ended magnificently since his performances helped the club to win its second bronze medal in a row in Champions League.

Accomplishments

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Club competitions

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Milaković won numerous medals in his youth (18) and junior (6) competitions while he was playing for VK Medveščak. As a part of the class of '92, who made great contribution to the club, he has a special place in club's showcase.

Milaković continued winning trophies while he was playing for HAVK Mladost and won 10 medals with his former club. The full table is listed below.

Year Competition Achievement Club
2014 Euro Cup   HAVK Mladost
2014 Croatian Championship   HAVK Mladost
2014 Adriatic League   HAVK Mladost
2013 Croatian Cup   HAVK Mladost
2013 Adriatic League   HAVK Mladost
2013 Croatian Championship   HAVK Mladost
2012 Croatian Cup   HAVK Mladost
2012 Champions League   HAVK Mladost
2012 Croatian Championship   HAVK Mladost
2011 Croatian Cup   HAVK Mladost

National team

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In summer of 2007 Milaković joined the Croatian National Team and passed all youth and junior categories. In 2012 he passed to senior tem where he continued with conquering medals for home country.

Year Event Host Placement Country
2014 World Cup   Almaty 3rd   Croatia
2014 Samartzidis Cup [11]   Athens 1st   Croatia
2014 Bnet Cup [12]   Zagreb 1st   Croatia
2011 U20 World Championship   Volos 6th   Croatia
2009 U18 World Championship[13]   Šibenik 1st   Croatia
2008 U17 European Championship   Belgrade 3rd   Croatia
2007 U16 International Tournament   Obrenovac 1st   Croatia

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 28 November 2015
Club statistics
Club Season League Championship National Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals %
  HAVK Mladost 2011–12 Adriatic League 16 19 5 9 3 3 16 12 40 43 1,1
2012–13 18 41 4 3 2 4 24 48 2,0
2013–14 23 54 5 7 2 5 12 33 42 99 2,3
Total 57 114 14 19 7 12 28 45 106 190 1,8
  Como Nuoto 2014–15 Serie A1 22 34 3 5 25 39 1,6
Total 22 34 3 5 25 39 1,6
  Savona 2015–16 Serie A1 10 17 - - 10 17 1,7
Total 10 17 - - 10 17 1,7
  Trieste –21
  Szolnok 2021– OB I
Career total 89 165 14 19 10 17 28 45 141 246 1,7

International

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As of match played 24 August 2014
National team Year Apps Goals
  Croatia 2012 1 3
2013 2 1
2014 16 15
Total 19 19

Individual awards

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  • (2014) Top scorer of LEN Euro Cup
  • (2011) Zagreb's best male sports team [14] - HAVK Mladost (common award for all players)
  • (2009) All-star team[15] of U18 World Championship in Šibenik
  • (2009) Annual award from Zagreb Water polo Association [16] for extraordinary contribution in conquering of gold medal on U18 World Championship in Šibenik
  • (2009) Annual award for best U17 water polo player from Zagreb Water polo Association
  • (2008) MVP of U17 Croatian Championship
  • (2008) MVP of U17 Croatian Cup
  • (2007) MVP of U16 Christmas International Tournament in Kamnik, Slovenia
  • (2007) MVP of U16 "Trophy of Belgrade" Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kristijan Milaković announced in Italian media" (in Italian). waterpolo24.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  2. ^ "Kristijan Milaković announced in Italian media" (in Italian). calendariodellosportivo.it. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Kristijan Milaković performance in LEN Champions League qualifying round" (in Croatian). vecernji.hr. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  4. ^ "Milaković turned off POŠK" (in Croatian). vk-medvescak.hr. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  5. ^ "Milaković huge performance vs. Jadran" (in Croatian). vk-medvescak.hr. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Sensational win of Medveščak against Mladost" (in Croatian). vk-medvescak.hr. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  7. ^ "Kristijan Milaković performance in LEN Champions League qualifying round" (in Croatian). vecernji.hr. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mladost swept Jug" (in Croatian). 24sata.hr. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Cup is again ours" (in Croatian). havk-mladost.hr.hr. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "Milaković and Udovičić resolve Budva" (in Croatian). havk-mladost.hr.hr. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  11. ^ "Croatia building confidence with winning Samartzidis Cup". waterpoloworld.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Croatia won four-nation tournament". waterpoloworld.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "Croatia U18 World Champion". waterpoloplanet.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "Mladost-the best male team in Zagreb in 2011" (in Croatian). havk-mladost.hr. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  15. ^ "Elected All star team of U18 World Champions". waterpoloplanet.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  16. ^ "2009 Zagreb Water polo Association Awards" (in Croatian). zagrebancija.hr. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
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