The Serbian and Croatian clubs continued their league seasons, while the semifinals of the Montenegrin Cup was completed this week.
This weekend in Croatia was highlighted by a fight between the players in the game between Mornar and Solaris at the end of the match.
Novi Beograd and Crvena Zvezda shared the points in the derby of the Serbian League third round.
2020/21 Croatian League, Day 2
Medvescak – Jug AO 9:17 (3:4, 1:6, 3:3, 2:4)
Mornar – Solaris 12:11 (2:3, 4:2, 4:3, 2:3)
Galeb – Jadran S 6:20 (2:3, 1:5, 1:5, 2:7)
Zadar 1952 – KPK Korcula 6:17 (2:2, 3:5, 1:5, 0:5)
POSK – Mladost 4:17 (1:5, 0:3, 1:5, 2:4)
Primorje bye
As water polo experts and fans predicted, the most exciting game of Day 2 of the Croatian League was an encounter between Mornar and Solaris. As water polo experts and fans expected, the most exciting match of Day 2 of the Croatian League was an encounter between Mornar and Solaris. But, the thrilling duel was ended with an incident. The teams provided an interesting game, but the big fight and punching between the players, that began with the final buzzer, spoiled good impressions.
Even the players who were on the benches got involved. The coaches tried to calm down their players, but these efforts gave no results.
Solaris started better and opened the match with a 2-goal lead (2:0 and 3:1). Midway through the second period, Mornar equalized (4:4) and shortly after went ahead. In the third quarter, Mornar earned a two-goal lead (7:5 and 10:8). Three minutes before the end, the hosts streched the margin to three (12:9). But Solaris didn’t give in and cut the deficit (11:12) with just 37 seconds remaining on the clock. Solaris even had a chance to equalize, but Mornar’s goalkeeper Kordic saved a shot from Pelicaric in the last second. After that, the fight started.
Titleholder Jug played its first match in the season and easily beat Medvescak 17:9 in Zagreb. As usual, Loren Fatovic was Jug’s best scorer with six goals. Alex Obert, the center forward of the Team USA, debuted for Jug with a goal.
Mladost also showed no mercy. The Regional League winner downed POSK in Split – 17:4. Romanian center-forward Cosmin Radu nailed five goals, Luka Bukic scored five.
Jadran Split recorded an easy away win, as well as Jug and Mladost. Jadran defeated Galeb in Makarska – 17:4, with four goals by Nikola Milradovic.
Newcomer KPK Korcula collected its first points in the First Croatian League, by defeating Zadar 17:6.
1. Jadran S 2 – 6
2. Mladost 2 – 6
3. Mornar 2 – 6
4. Primorje 1 – 3
5. Jug AO 1 – 3
6. Solaris 2 – 3
7. KPK 2 – 3
8. POSK 2 – 0
9. Medvescak 2 – 0
10. Galeb 2 – 0
11. Zadar 2 – 0
2020/21 Serbian League, Day 3
Crvena Zvezda – Novi Beograd 11:11 (1:3, 5:2, 4:3, 1:3)
Sabac – Stari Grad 18:7 (5:1, 3:2, 4:0, 6:4)
Nais – Banjica 16:5 (6:2, 4:0, 3:2, 3:1)
Radnicki – Vojvodina 14:9 (6:3, 4:1, 1:2, 3:3)
Zemun – Partizan postponed
The third round of the Serbian League was closed by a late evening derby between the two Belgrade-based rivals. Crvena Zvezda hosted Novi Beograd 011 today.
Crvena Zvezda and Novi Beograd were the only two unbeaten teams after the 2nd round. Still, Novi Beograd was a favorite in today’s match. The visitors started well and led 3:1 after the first eight minutes. However, Zvezda found its rhythm and was the better rival in the middle two quarters. Novi Beograd secured a point in the last eight minutes. Novi Beograd’s Drasko Gogov (former player of Trieste) scored an equalizer – 11:11 three minutes before the end, and there were no goals in the remaining time. The top scorers were Veljko Tankosic (Crvena Zvezda) and Olympian Milos Cuk (Novi Beograd 011). Each scored 4 goals.
Other encounters were one-sided contests.
KVK Radnicki, the winner of the Serbian Cup, hosted Vojvodina. The home team secured the win before the middle break. At halftime, the difference was six goals (10:4). Vojvodina played better than Radnicki in the second half, but it was too late for a comeback. Nemanja Stanojevic was the best scorer with 4 goals.
Reigning champion Sabac, led by Montenegrin Filip Cardasevic (5 goals) taught a lesson to Stari Grad (18:7). Nais defeated Banjica, the youngest team of the league.
1. Novi Beograd 3 – 7
2. Crvena Zvezda 3 – 7
3. Sabac 3 – 6
4. Nais 3 – 6
5. Radnicki 3 – 6
6. Zemun 2 – 3
7. Partizan 2 – 3
8. Vojvodina 3 – 3
9. Stari Grad 3 – 0
10. Banjica 3 – 0
2020/21 Montenegrin Cup, semifinals, 2nd leg
There were no surprises in the Montenegrin Cup semifinals. Jadran and Primorac reached the final, which will be played next week (October 14 and 18).
Semfinals, 2nd leg
Jadran HN – Budva 12:10 (5:1, 3:2, 2:5, 2:2) – 1st leg 16:7
Cattaro – Primorac 6:14 (1:5, 2:3, 1:4, 2:2) – 1st leg 8:11.
Budva was better than Cattaro in the first game for the 3rd place.
For the 3rd place, 1st match: Cattaro – Budva 9:13 (2:2, 3:4, 2:3, 2:4)
