Kristijan Milaković

Kristijan Milaković (born April 21, 1992) is a Croatian professional water polo player who currently plays for Savona 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).

Personal life 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 VK Medveščak Zagreb 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. Especially he proved himself in Cup match against Mladost which resulted with the first victory of VK Medveščak after more than 40 years, 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 After joining Mladost, Milaković started to adjust to new teammates and accordingly his performances varied. 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 who entered the finals as a huge favorite. He continued with playing his first season in "warm-cold" style with occasional flashes. 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 Club competitions 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 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 Athens 1st Croatia 2014 Bnet Cup Zagreb 1st Croatia 2011 U20 World Championship Volos 6th Croatia 2009 U18 World Championship Šibenik 1st Croatia 2008 U17 European Championship Belgrade 3rd Croatia 2007 U16 International Tournament Obrenovac 1st Croatia

Career statistics Club

International

Individual awards (2014) Top scorer of LEN Euro Cup (2011) Zagreb's best male sports team - HAVK Mladost (common award for all players) (2009) All-star team of U18 World Championship in Šibenik (2009) Annual award from Zagreb Water polo Association 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