Jadran Herceg Novi has returned to the throne in Montenegro. The Herceg Novi-based team won its 13th title in the Montenegrin championship after defeating the 2024 champions, Primorac, with a score of 3:0 in the final of the national league.
To remind you, penalty shootouts decided the winners in the first two games. Today’s third match of the finals was also exciting, but it ended after 32 minutes of play. Jadran recorded an 11:9 victory. In the middle of the game, Jadran made a 6:0 series, jumping from 2:5 to 8:5 and didn’t let Primorac equalize.
The Skver pool during the final Photo by Jadran HN
Primorac got off to a good start. The Kotor-based team earned a 2-goal advantage in the first period (3:1, 4:2). Early in the third period, Djordjije Stanojevic scored his third goal in the match, this time from a penalty line to stretch the margin to three – 5:2. However, Primorac didn’t maintain its momentum. By the end of the first half, Jadran made a 4:0 run. In the 15th minute, Dmitri Kholod converted a man-up to put Jadran in front for the first time – 6:5. It was the last goal in the first half.
Jadran continued its series and earned a 3-goal lead. In the 21st minute, Milojevic made it 8:5. Immediately after, Vico ended Primorac’s goalless phase that lasted almost 11 minutes. The visitors cut the deficit to one goal twice – 7:8 and 8:9. Still, Jadran had a 2-goal lead after three periods. Ten seconds before the last break, Aleksandar Ivovic scored from a distance – 10:8. Primorac tried to get back into the game. Shushiasvilli boosted the visitors’ hopes by converting a man-up in the 29th minute. There was still a lot of time for an equalizer or a new turn. However, Jadran controlled the game. Moreover, the hosts had more chances to score in the dying minutes, but Primorac’s goalkeeper, Massaro, posted a few saves. However, he couldn’t stop a shot from Vucurovic, who sealed Jadran’s win, scoring from a 6 on 5 with four seconds left on the clock.
2025 Montenegrin League, final (best of five), third match
Jadran HN – Primorac 11:9 (2:4, 4:1, 4:3, 1:1) – the score in the series 3:0
Jadran Herceg Novi: Kholod 2, Ivovic 2, Milojevic 2, Vucurovic 1, Da. Radovic 1, Lazic 1, Sladovic, Stupar 1.
Primorac: Stanojevic 4, Shushiashvili 2, Markovic 1, Vico 1, Cetkovic 1.
For all the results, schedule and statistics of the Montenegrin League, visit Total Waterpolo Arena
