A round before the end of the regular season in the Croatian League, Jadran Split mathematically secured 1st place. It will enter the playoffs from a pole position.
Jadran beat Mladost 12:9 in the derby of the 13th round. Jadran and 2nd-placed Jug are still tied in points. But, the Split-based side has a better score in head-to-head encounters. Jug finished the regular season (it played one match more than Jadran), so it can’t climb to a higher step.
The match between Mladost and Primorje in the last round will decide 3rd place before the playoffs.
2022/23 Croatian League, Day 13
Group 1st – 5th place
Mladost – Jadran S 9:12 (3:2,1:3, 2:5, 3:2)
Mladost:Rakovac 3, Jelaca 2, Mijic 2, Herceg 1, Gluhaic 1.
Jadran Split:Bukic 4, Marinic Kragic 2, Cagalj 2, Buric 1, Pejkovic 1, Delic 1, Dobud 1.
Jug AO – Primorje EB 14:9 (2:2, 5:3, 4:1, 3:3)
Jug AO: Zuvela 7, Fatovic 1, Kolak 1, Vukojevic 1, Lazic 1, Krzic 1, Kakaris 1, Grgurevic 1.
Primorje: Kadivec 3, Da.Brguljan 2, Te Riele 2, Brubnjak 1,Crippa 1.
Solaris bye
Mladost got off to a better start in the derby in Zagreb. The home side had a 3:2 after the first eight minutes. Marino Cagalj opened the second quarter by converting a double man-up to level the score at 3:3. The teams were tied for a while. But, at the finish of the first half, Jadran started taking control. The Split-based side netted two goals within 45 seconds and earned a 5:3 advantage (14th minute). Mladost halved the gap shortly before the middle break. Jadran produced a 3:0 run in the first three minutes of the third quarter, which set the tone for the second half. The visitors jumped to 8:4. After Jadran’s 3:0 series, the difference was never smaller than three goals. Luka Bukic was the best scorer with four goals.
Jug finished the regular season with a 14:9 victory over Primorje. Primorje fought hard. The visitors led 1:0 and 2:1. In the second quarter, they chased Jug and trailed by a goal until 5:6. After that, the hosts, led by unstoppable Marko Zuvela, netted four straight goals, earned a 10:6 advantage and proved who the favorite was.
1. Jadran S 12 games – 34 points*
2. Jug AO 13 – 34*
3. Mladost 12 – 24
4. Primorje 12 – 21
5. Solaris 12 – 15
*Head to head: Jadran – Jug 10:10 and 11:8
Group 6th – 10th place
Medvescak – POSK 15:9 (4:1, 4:2 2:1, 5:5)
Medvescak: Car 6, Milak 3, Ljepava 2, Simunovic 2, Bakaric 1, Paic 1.
POSK: Jankovic 4, Tonkovic 3, Gadza 1, Borovcic Kurir 1.
Mornar BS – KPK 12:8 (4:6, 3:1, 3:1, 2:0)
Mornar BS: Buselic 5, D.Akrap 3, Cumbelic 1, Penava 1, Guduric 1, Omrcen 1.
KPK Korcula: Tedeschi 3, Miloglav 2, Denoble 1, Cvjetkovic 1, Bjelopera 1.
Zadar 1952 bye
The home teams recorded wins in the relegation group. Medvescak was convincing in the match against POSK and climbed to 7th place. Mornar didn’t start as expected, but it defeated KPK Korcula
6.Mornar 12 – 18
7.Medvescak 12 – 13
8. POSK 13 – 11
9. KPK Korcula 12 – 5
10. Zadar 1952 12 – 3
