Jadran Herceg Novi is a step closer to its 12th title of the Montenegrin champion. The reigning champion defeated Primorac after a penalty shootout in the first match of the playoffs final.
Mladost beat Jadran Split in the first game of the semifinals in Croatia.
The playoffs in Serbia have started with the first games of the quarterfinals.
2020/21 Montenegrin League, playoffs
Final (best-of-five), 1st match
Primorac – Jadran HN 11:14 (2:2, 4:4, 1:2, 3:2, PSO 1:4)
Primorac: Molthen 3 (1 in PSO), Gopcevic 2,Draskovic 1, Vuksanovic 1, Macic 1, Perkovic 1, Matkovic 1, Stanojevic 1.
Jadran HN: Averka 4 (1), Petkovic 3 (1), Obradovic 2 (1), Murisic 2, Dj.Radovic 2 (1), Brkic 1.
For the full statistics and a play-by-play timeline visit Total Waterpolo Arena
Jadran led for most of the time, but its advantage was never bigger than two goals. The Herceg Novi-based side built a 2-goal lead in the second quarter (4:2, 5:3, 6:4), but Primorac leveled the score before the end of the first half (6:6). Jadran continued dictating the pace after the middle break and entered the final quarter with a slim lead (8:7). The visitors’ captain Marko Petkovic converted a man-up in the 26th minute to double the advantage (9:7). But, Primorac was able to come back. American Ash Molthen netted two goals in a row and equalized (9:9) a minute and 57 seconds before the end. A minute later, Dusan Matkovic extended Primorac’s series and the hosts went in front for the first time – 10:9. Still, Dimitrije Obradovic found the net with 31 seconds remaining on the clock, and the match entered the shootout.
The visitors had stronger nerves in the penalty drama. Nobody make mistake – Djuro Radovic, Marko Petkovic, Konstantin Averka and Dimitrije Obradovic scored. On the other side, only Ash Molthen found the net. Jadran’s goalkeeper Petar Tesanovic blocked a shot from Draskovic, while Gopcevic missed. Tesanovic, who posted 18 saves was one of the best players on the visiting team.
The second match will be played in Herceg Novi on May 4.
Playoff for 3rd place (best-of-three), 3rd match
Budva – Cattaro 12:15 (3:3, 4:3, 3:4, 2:5) – score in the series 1:2
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Cattaro defeated Budva in the third match and won the bronze medal.
Live scores and statistics of the Montenegrin League you can follow on our TOTAL WATERPOLO ARENA
2020/21 Croatian League, playoffs
Semifinals (best-of-three), 1st matches
Mladost – Jadran S 10:5 (3:0, 3:1, 2:3, 2:1)
Mladost: Bukic 3, Radu 2, Dasic 1, Buslje 1, Viskovic 1, M.Vrlic 1, Kharkov 1.
Jadran Split: Delic 2, Pejkovic 1, Stojanac 1, Duzevic 1.
Jug – Primorje or Solaris TBD
Jadran Split has upset Mladost several times in the last few seasons. A month ago, Jadran defeated Mladost in the 3rd-place match of the Regional League F4 in Zagreb (11:8).
This time, the Croatian Cup winner dominated. Mladost’s excellent scorer Konstantin Kharkov recovered from an injury. He returned to the team of Mladost and helped his team record a 10:5 win.
The opening minutes determined the rest of the encounter. In the 10th minute, Mladost had a 4:0 lead. By the end of the first half, the hosts jumped to a 6:1 advantage. The second half was an equal battle. Jadran reduced the gap to three (3:6, 4:7), but the home team controlled the match. Luka Bukic was the best scorer with three goals. The second match is on Saturday.
Jug still waits for an opponent in the semifinals. The return leg of the quarterfinal pair Primorje – Solars has been postponed due to the coronavirus cases at Primorje, which was better in the first leg (10:9). New dates of that match and the semifinal encounter between Jug and the winner Primorje-Solaris haven’t been determined yet.
Semifinals, 5th – 8th place (best-of-two), 1st matches
Medvescak – Mornar 13:13 (3:2, 3:4, 3:4, 4:3)
POSK – Solaris or Primorje TBD
2020/21 Serbian League, playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-two), first games
Partizan – Crvena Zvezda 6:12 (0:3, 1:4, 2:1, 3:4)
Vojvodina – Sabac 8:14 (2:5, 3:3, 1:2, 2:4)
Nais – Radnički 6:18 (2:4, 1.4, 1:6, 2:4)
Zemun – Novi Beograd 2:14 (1:3, 0:3, 1:3, 0:5)
Favorites recorded convincing wins in the 1st leg of the Serbian League quarterfinals.
The derby was the encounter between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda. Still, the match offered no excitement. Crvena Zvezda killed all suspense quickly. The visitors opened the game with a 7:0 blast. Ten seconds before the end of the 2nd quarter, Partizan scored its first goal. In the second half, the visitors maintained a 6-goal difference. Crvena Zvezda captain Milos Vukicevic and Partizan’s Danilo Cabrilo scored three goals each.
Radnicki, led by Nikola Lukic (4 goals), demolished Nais in Nis – 18:6.
Savo Cetkovic scored four goals to help Sabac in beating Vojvodina 14:8.
Novi Beograd blew away Zemun in the last match of the 1st leg – 14:2, played on Thursday. Milos Cuk was the best scorer with four goals.
The return leg is scheduled for May 5.
UPDATED April 29, 20:20 CET
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