The game between the namesakes, which had been expected to be an exciting derby in the Regional League Round 16, turned into a lopsided affair. Jadran Herceg Novi, the visiting team in this match, convincingly beat Jadran Split 11:5.
The Montenegrins have played better and better from week to week, recently becoming the first team to defeat Novi Beograd this season. Today, they passed a new challenging exam.
The Herceg Novi-based team took a flying start in the Poljud pool. An excellent defense impacted a good attack. In the 9th minute, the visitors already had a 4:0 lead. Jadran Split scored its first goal in its first possession in the second quarter. However, that didn’t change the momentum of the game. The Herceg Novi team had a 6:1 advantage in the middle of the second period. Before the final period, the visitors increased the margin to six (8:2) and maintained the difference during the balanced fourth quarter.
Dmitri Kholod, Jovan Vujovic, and Danilo Radovic each scored two goals for the winning team. Marino Cagalj and Marcus Berehulak had the same output in the home club.
A special mention always goes to a goalkeeper if his team concedes only five goals in a derby. Darko Djurovic, Jadran Herceg Novi’s goalie, posted 15 saves today. Marko Bijac, Croatia’s number 1, blocked eight shots at the other end of the pool.
Jadran HN, and Radnicki share 2nd and 3rd place with 39 points. Jadran Split has 38 points.
Radnicki, playing with a rejuvenated team, beat Valis 17:10. Marko Jankovic scored four goals for the winning team.
Mladost Zagreb had no trouble defeating Solaris – 17:11. The youngest player on the Mladost’s roster, Fran Dobric (17), was the best scorer, with three goals.
Update, February 10: The Belgrade-derby, between Novi Beograd and Crvena Zvezda, was played on Monday. It was a match with (too) many goals in both nets. Novi Beograd won 19:14 and kept the top spot. The Serbian and Regional League champion led 7:3 at the first break. Crvena Zvezda came back into the match and narrowed the gap to one twice during the second period (7:8 and 8:9). Still, it couldn’t equalize. Novi Beograd controlled the game in the second half. Novi Beograd’s best scorers in the match were: Djordje Vucinic, Djuro Radovic and Luka Gladovic (three goals each). Petar Kasum netted four, and Kristijan Sulc three for Crvena Zvezda.
The encounter between Jug and Primorac has been postponed to March.
2024/25 Regional League, Round 16
Jadran Split – Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi 5:11 (0:3, 2:4, 0:1, 3:3)
Radnicki – Valis Vega 17:10 (4:1, 4:3, 4:3, 5:3)
Mladost – Solaris 17:8 (3:1, 5:2, 5:1, 4:4)
Sabac Elixir – Primorje EB 17:13 (5:2, 3:4, 5:3, 4:4)
Novi Beograd – Crvena Zvezda 19:12 (7:3, 4:5, 4:3, 4:3)
Jug AO – Primorac on March 12
Standings
1. Novi Beograd 16 – 42
2. Jadran Herceg Novi 16 – 39
3.Radnicki 16 – 39
4. Jadran Split 16 – 38
5. Mladost 16 – 32
6. Sabac 16 – 18
7. Crvena Zvezda 16 – 18
8. Primorac 15 – 17
9. Jug AO 15 – 16
10.Primorje 16 – 14
11. Solaris 16 – 11
12. Valis Vega 16 – 1
