Regional League champion Novi Beograd has suffered its first defeat in nearly eight months.
Jadran Herceg Novi defeated Novi Beograd 13:9 in the big game of the 15th round of the Regional League competition, played in the “Skver” pool.
Novi Beograd suffered its previous loss on June 7 (to Olympiacos in the third-place match at the Champions League Final Four). Between that match and the Regional League 15th round, Novi Beograd played 23 games in three competitions (Regional League, Champions League, Serbian Cup), recording as many wins. That winning streak is remarkable, considering that Novi Beograd entered the season with a rejuvenated team. However, every series must come to an end.
Jadran, which has reached excellent shape, dominated the first half of the derby. Novi Beograd equalized only once – at 1:1. The hosts had a 6:3 lead at the first break. They made a 4:0 run in the second period to earn a 10:3 advantage in the 15th minute. After that, Jadran controlled the game. Novi Beograd cut the deficit to three (8:11) early in the fourth quarter, but Jadran replied with two goals to seal the victory. Novi Beograd’s Olympic champion, Milos Cuk, was the top scorer of the game with three goals. Jovan Vujovic, Strahinja Gojkovic, Matija Sladovic netted two each for Jadran.
Novi Beograd is still atop the table, but the battle for 1st place has become more and more interesting. Second-placed Jadran Split is just a point behind Novi Beograd. Two points separate Jadran Split and the teams that share 3rd and 4th place (Jadran Herceg Novi and Radnicki).
Jadran Split showed no mercy to Jug in the Croatian derby, played in Dubrovnik. An explosive start put the team from Split on the right track. Jadran led 5:0 after the first quarter. The visitors maintained a superb defensive performance in the next three quarters and recorded a 12:4 win. Ivan Domagoj Zovic (3 goals) and Marko Bijac (11 saves – 73,3%) were among the best players of the winning team.
Radnicki beat Sabac 13:8 in the Serbian derby. This game was similar to the match in Split – the first half determined the rest of the game. Radnicki had a 3:0 advantage at the first break. By the end of the second period, the hosts increased their lead to four (7:3). After a few minutes of play in the second half, the difference was six goals – 9:3, leaving Sabac with no path to come back. Radnicki’s veteran Dusko Pijetlovic topped the scorers’ list with three goals.
After a great comeback, Mladost Zagreb earned an away victory, beating Primorje 12:10. Mladost trailed by three goals in the middle of the third period (4:7). The visitors caught up with Primorje in the 25h minute (7:7). Primorje briefly regained an advantage (8:7, 9:8). Still, Mladost took control, scoring three consecutive goals within 97 seconds (Luka Bukic 2 and Kharkov) to go ahead – 11:9 and ensuring three points. Luka Bukic was once again Mladost’s best scorer with four goals, while Tin Brubnjak scored four for Primorje.
Primorac Kotor defeated Solaris in a game that produced a “handball result” – 20:16. It was a close contest from the beginning, with several turns. A minute and a half before the final buzzer, Primorac had a narrow 17:16 advantage.In the final 81 seconds of play, the Montenegrin champions scored three goals, ultimately securing three important points in their fight to avoid relegation. Dusan Matkovic contributed significantly to Primorac’s victory by scoring five goals, while Antonio Petkovic and Roko Pelicaric each netted four goals for Solaris.
2024/25 Premier Regional League, Round 15
Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi – Novi Beograd 13:9 (6:3, 4:1, 1:3, 2:2)
Jug AO – Jadran Split 4:12 (0:5, 2:1, 1:3, 1:3)
Radnicki – Sabac Elixir 13:8 (3:0, 4:3, 3:3, 3:2)
Primorje EB – Mladost 10:12 (2:1, 3:2, 2:3, 3:6)
Solaris – Primorac 16:20 (5:5, 3:4, 4:4, 4:7)
Crvena Zvezda – Valis Vega 13:6 (5:2, 3:2,2:1, 3:1)
Standings
1. Novi Beograd 15 – 39
2. Jadran Split 15 – 38
3. Jadran Herceg Novi 15 – 36
4. Radnicki 15 – 36
5. Mladost 15 – 29
6. Crvena Zvezda 15 – 18
7. Primorac 15 – 17
8. Jug AO 15 – 16
9. Sabac 15 – 15
10.Primorje 15 – 14
11. Solaris 15 – 11
12. Valis Vega 15 – 1
