Jadran Split triumphed over Mladost in the opening match of the Croatian League playoffs final following a lengthy penalty shootout, securing a 15:14 victory. Both teams scored seven goals during regular time, leading to a tense showdown in the penalty rounds. Jadran emerged victorious after the ninth round of shots. However, the final is far from decided, as a team needs to win three matches to claim the title. At least two more matches will be played.
There were only six goals in the first 16 minutes. Luka Bukic converted Mladost’s man-up in the opening minute, but Jadran earned a 2:1 lead late into the first period. Midway through the second period, Josip Vrlic leveled at 2:2. The finish of the quarter belonged to the hosts. Their captain made it 3:2 with an extra player in the 15th minute. After that, Mlados failed to score in a 6-on-4 possession, and the visitors paid for that. In the dying seconds, Loren Fatovic scored a powerplay goal for 4:2. Jadran made more opportunities to score than the visitors did in the first half. Still, Mladost’s goalkeeper Ivan Marcelic was excellent, posting 10 saves.
Both teams consolidated their attacks after the middle break and improved their rhythm, so the third quarter produced as many goals as the first half. Mladost made a 3:0 rush in 01:24 minutes (Bukic, Biljaka, Kharkov) and turned around a 2-goal deficit to a 5:4 lead. Still, Jadran replied with two goals to regain an advantage – 6:5. However, Mladost’s best scorer Luka Bukic closed the quarter with an action goal and the teams entered the final period tied at 6:6
After a high-scoring third period, there were no goals in the fourth quarter until the 31st minute, when Loren Fatovic found the net from a distance. It was his fourth goal. Jadran defended its net in the following attack, and was close to the win. However, the hosts didn’t secure the victory in their last attack. At the other end of the pool, Mladost earned a man-up in its final possession. Just four seconds before the buzzer, Basic scored from an extra player to level at 7:7.
In the second semifinal match, Mladost’s water polo players achieved an away victory over Jug in a penalty shootout. However, today luck was not on their side. Mladost’s goalkeeper Marcelic saved a shot from Zvonimir Butic in the fourth round, but his teammates missed two penalty attempts. Ultimately, it was Butic who sealed Jadran’s win by scoring in the ninth round.
The second match will be played in Zagreb on Saturday.
2025 Croatian League, playoffs
Final (best of five), first match
Jadran Split – Mladost 15:14 (2:1, 2:1,2:4, 1:1, PSO 8:7)
Jadran S: Fatovic 4, Butic 1, Marinic Kragic 1, Cagalj 1.
Mladost: Bukic 3, Biljaka 1, Basic 1, Vrlic 1, Kharkov 1.
Penalty shootout – Mladost: Lazic 2, Kharkov 2, Basic, Vrlic, Vukicevic (Bijac saved a shot from Vukicevic in 2nd round, Basic missed in the 9th round), Jadran: Butic 2, Fatovic 2, Marinic-Kragic 2, Berehulak, Zovic (Marcelic saved a shot from Zovic in 4th round)
3rd-place playoffs (best of three), first match
Jug – Solaris 11:8 (2:3, 6:2, 1:2, 2:1)
