Cash and a Sports Legend United by a Love for Fish
At the final farewell for Mislav Bezmalinović in Split, an unexpected connection between a retired general and a celebrated water polo player came to the fore.
At the final farewell for Mislav Bezmalinović in Split, an unexpected connection between a retired general and a celebrated water polo player came to the fore.
As the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm is being marked these days, much attention has also been paid to the absence of retired General Ante Gotovina from the central celebration in Knin. However, far from political speculation, this week has also brought to light a story about a lesser-known side of the general's life-the entrepreneurial one-which connected him with a true legend of Croatian sports.
After the war years, Gotovina turned to fish farming, processing, and sales, and it was precisely this business that linked him to the famous water polo player Mislav Bezmalinović. Bezmalinović, who passed away two years ago in August at the age of 58, was the director of the company Sardina from Postira, known for fish processing and successful exports. A love for fish and entrepreneurship brought together these two seemingly different worlds, and this connection became visible to the public at the final farewell of the water polo ace at Split's Lovrinac cemetery.
At the commemoration two years ago in August, Gotovina found himself in the company of numerous notable Croats who came to pay tribute to Bezmalinović. Among them were Croatian national team coach Slaven Bilić, Hajduk legend and former national team player Zoran Vulić, and a whole array of water polo legends such as Perica Bukić. Special roles at the farewell were held by Tomislav Paškvalin, sports advisor to President Zoran Milanović, and Josip Pavić, State Secretary for Sports at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina also came to express his respect.
The magnitude of Mislav Bezmalinović resonated in the words of his closest colleagues and friends. Mladen Drnasin, president of the Croatian Water Polo Federation and the Jadran Water Polo Club, highlighted the depth of their relationship at the commemoration in Split.
"We were teammates, friends, we worked together at the club, each ran our own company, we socialized as families and respected each other. Dear Mislav, you will be greatly missed. On behalf of all Jadran members, Croatian water polo players, and personally, a final farewell, and to your dear family, condolences and respect," said Drnasin.
Particularly touching was the tribute from his longtime club teammate from Split's Jadran, legendary goalkeeper Renco Posinković. He revealed how deeply the loss affected him and how much Bezmalinović meant to everyone around him.
"I haven't slept since Saturday. It's still hard to pull myself together. Even in my dreams, I couldn't imagine that I would have to say goodbye to him forever. Mislav was more than a teammate and captain; he was a friend, a brother by cap, club, national team, and medals," said Posinković.
He added that Bezmalinović's influence was immeasurable: "He was a leader, he was more than an athlete; he gave everything a special, personal touch, including to us. Mislav, we wouldn't be the people we are today without you. Captain, you remain in the hearts of all Jadran members, water polo players, and especially us Olympians."
Mislav Bezmalinović left behind numerous trophies. As a national team player for the former state, he won Olympic gold in 1988 in Seoul, and in early 1991 in Perth, Australia, he became world champion. The pinnacle of his club career came in independent Croatia, winning two consecutive European champion titles with Jadran in 1992 and 1993. After sports, he successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship, where his fish business, just like General Gotovina's, continued to fulfill him.
