Reigning champion Jadran Split narrowly defeated its rival in the fifth round of the Croatian Championships.
Jadran hosted Primorje Rijeka, which continued showcasing significant improvement. But, the Split-based team secured a hard-fought 14:13 victory. At halftime, Jadran held a solid 7:4 lead and appeared to be in control. However, Primorje demonstrated its potential in the second half. Three and a half minutes from the end, Primorje took a lead. Babic made it 13:12. The visitors held that advantage until the last minute, when Jadran made a turn. Loren Fatovic leveled at 13:13 with 52 seconds remaining, and Ivan Domagoj Zovic set the final score with just three seconds before the end.
Dusan Matkovic led Jadran’s attack with five goals. Loren Fatovic added four, and Ivan Domagoj Zovic three. Ivan Vukojevic was Primorje’s top scorer with three goals.
The fifth round was the last one in the Croatian League in 2025. The Championships will continue in February.
Three teams have five wins each – Jadran, Mladost and Jug.
Unlike Jadran, the teams from Zagreb and Dubrovnik had easy tasks.
Mladost beat POSK 26:6 with five goals from Ivan Nagaev.
Jug played without several key players against OVK Split, but recorded a comfortable 27:10 win. Jarak scored five goals for the winning team.
2026 Croatian League, Round 5
Jadran S – Primorje 14:13 (3:3, 4:1, 4:6, 3:3)
Jug – OVK Split 27:10 (8:2, 7:2, 6:5, 6:1)
Mladost – POSK 1937 26:6 (4:2, 4:1, 7:1, 11:2)
Medvescak – Mornar 15:14 (3:4, 3:3, 4:4, 5:3)
Zadar 1952 – KPK 19:10 (4:2, 6:3, 5:2, 4:3)
Solaris bye
- Mladost 5 – 15
- Jug 5 – 15
- Jadran S 5 – 15
- Primorje 4 – 12
- Solaris 4 – 6
- Medvescak 4 – 6
- Zadar 1952 4 – 3
- Mornar 4 – 3
- KPK Korcula 5 – 0
- POSK 1937 4 – 0
- OVK Split 5 – 0
