Drama in the water: SVC player Vanja Pletikosic collapses in the derby!

Drama in the water: SVC player Vanja Pletikosic collapses in the derby!

A dramatic incident overshadowed the water polo derby between SSV Esslingen and SV Cannstatt, which took place on Saturday evening in the Stuttgart sports pool. The game, which the Esslinger won with 15:14, was temporarily interrupted when the Cannstatt player Vanja Pletikosic was hit hard during a duel.

Pletikosic received the foot of a teammate to his head and swam to the bank before he suddenly collapsed. The first aiders rushed up immediately, and when they arrived, the player was again responsive, but he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The situation ensured great concern among players and spectators, and coach Miklos Barothy of SSV Esslingen expressed his best wishes for Pletikosic: "We wish Vanja a speedy recovery."

emotional reactions of the players

The captain of the Cannstatter, Philipp Hartmann, described the situation as "very depressing" and emphasized the emotional pressure under which his team was above all. He added: "The best thing we could have done for Vanja would have been to win for him. But he can also be so proud of us."

Despite the dramatic incident, both teams decided to take the game back after the situation was clarified. At that time, the Cannstatters led 10: 9. The game took an interesting phrase when the Cannstatters spontaneously converted their traditional motivation call to "Für Vanja" to support the teammates.

In the last minutes of the game, the Esslingen showed their fighting spirit. Although they only led once throughout the season, thanks to two goals from Robin Rehm, they managed to win the tight victory in the final phase. The final score of 15:14 thus became a thriller, in which both sporting fairness and human connection played a central role.

The events related to the derby have moved both players and spectators. This game will be remembered not only because of the victory of SSV Esslingen, but also because of the human tragedy and the solidarity gestures within the sports community.

For more information on this topic, See the current reporting at www.esslinger-zeitung.de .