Radnicki clinched the winning trophy at the preparation tournament “Kragujevac Trophy.” Six teams from three countries took part in the competition.
Radnicki organized this tournament for the first time and hosted three Serbian clubs, Sabac, Crvena Zvezda and Valis, Romanian champion Steaua, and the national team of Iran. The latter has been preparing in Serbia for a while.
The Kragujevac-based team finished the tournament with a perfect record of five wins in as many games. Sabac came second, followed by 3rd-placed Crvena Zvezda, Valis, Steaua, and Iran.
The hosts’ journey to the top began with an easy win over Iran (11:5). Then, Radnicki beat Sabac 9:6. The match between Radnicki and Crvena Zvezda, two teams that will compete in the Champions League qualifications, was one of the most interesting at the tournament. Radnicki won the game 11:10. In the fourth round, the home team secured the top position by defeating Valis 11:9. This evening, Radnicki closed the tournament with a convincing 16:9 victory over Steaua.
Sabac had a slow start to the tournament, with only one point after two rounds, losing to Crvena Zvezda (15:16 after a penalty shootout) and Radnicki. However, Sabac bounced back and won their next three games against Steaua, Iran, and Valis, securing second place with 10 points.
Crvena Zvezda collected nine points, and Valis eight. Steaua, one of the 12 Champions League wild-card holders, fought hard against the Serbian teams but managed to beat only Iran, which had no points.
Left-handed goal-getter Lazar Vickovic, who arrived at Radnicki from Apollon Smyrnis this summer, was voted the MVP of the tournament. Stefan Todorovski (Radnicki) was the best goalkeeper (the coaches of all six teams voted for the best player and the goalkeeper). Steaua’s Tudor Fulea was the best scorer with 19 goals.
“2023 Kragujevac Trophy”
Round 1
Iran – Radnicki 5:11 (2:3, 1:4, 3:1, 1:1)
Valis – Steaua 15:13 (2:2, 5:3, 3:4, 5:4).
Sabac – Crvena Zvezda 15:16 (2:1, 4:2, 2:5, 2:2, PSO 5:6)
Round 2
Crvena Zvezda – Valis 17:18 (1:2, 4:3, 5:4, 3:4, PSO 4:5)
Iran – Steaua 8:14
Radnicki – Sabac 9:6 (4:1, 2:1, 2:2, 1:2)
Round 3
Valis – Iran 11:6 (3:3, 3:0, 4:1, 1:2)
Radnicki – Crvena zvezda 11:10 (4:4, 2:0, 1:0, 4:6)
Steaua – Sabac 7:8 (3:2, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1)
Round 4
Steaua – Crvena zvezda 12:14 (1:5, 4:2,5:4, 2:3)
Radnicki – Valis 11:9 (3:1, 4:3, 2:4, 2:1)
Sabac – Iran 11:7 (2:3, 4:0, 2:2, 3:2)
Round 5
Crvena Zvezda – Iran 12:8 (4:3, 3:3, 1:1, 4:1)
Sabac – Valis 20:6 (6:2, 6:1, 4:1, 4:2)
Radnicki – Steaua 16:9 (6:2, 2:1, 4:5, 4:1)
Standings: 1. Radnicki 15, 2. Sabac 10, 3. Crvena Zvezda 9, 4. Valis 8, 5. Steaua 3, 6. Iran 0 points.
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