Jadran Split is one step closer to securing its third consecutive title in the Croatian Championships. Jadran defeated Mladost in Zagreb with a score of 9:7 in the second match of the best-of-five series, taking a 2:0 lead. The team from Split will have the opportunity to clinch the title on May 17 in its home pool.
The game in Zagreb was evenly contested until the middle of the second quarter. Between the 13th and 24th minute, Jadran went on a crucial 5:0 run, which paved the way for the visitors’ victory.
Mladost took a one-goal lead three times in the first quarter. Jadran leveled on each occasion. Early in the second quarter, the visitors went ahead when Zvonimir Butic converted a man-up to make it 4:3. Mladost then scored two back-to-back goals. Lazic equalized, while young Fajkovic netted for 5:4. However, at the finish of the first half, Jadran started taking control. The visitors produced a 3:0 run by halftime and entered the second period leading 7:5. For the first time, two goals separated the rivals.
The visitors didn’t stop there. Jadran forced an exclusion in its first possession in the second half, and captain Jerko Marinic Kragic scored on an extra and Jadran had a big 8:5 advantage. In the following minutes, defenses were up to the task; both goalkeepers, Mladost’s Marcelic and Jadran’s Bijac, posted several saves. Still, in the 24th minute, Jadran stretched the margin to four. It earned a penalty shot. Marinic Kragic took responsibility and made it 9:5 to conclude Jadran’s 5:0 run.
Mladost was without a goal for more than 12 minutes. Early in the fourth quarter, Lovre Milos ended that long scoring drought. In the middle of the quarter, Basic made it 7:9. Still, in the remaining four minutes, Jadran kept a 2-goal lead and the win.
Jug won 3rd place, while Mornar took 5th place after today’s win in the 2nd matches of the respective playoffs series.
2025 Croatian League, playoffs
Final (best of five), second match
Mladost – Jadran S 7:9 (3:3, 2:4, 0:2, 2:0) – the score in the series 0:2
Mladost: Lazic 2, Basic 1, Milos 1, Biljaka 1, Bukic 1, Fajkovic 1.
Jadran Split: Marinic Kragic 3, Fatovic 2, Banicevic 2, Butic 1, Cuzzi 1.
3rd-place playoffs (best of three), second match
Solaris – Jug 15:16 (2:2, 5:4, 5:5, 3:5) – the score in the series 0:2
5th-place playoffs (best of three), second match
Mornar – Primorje 9:15 (3:4 , 1:3, 4:2, 1:6) – the score in the series 0:2
