Novi Beograd defeated Crvena Zvezda narrowly (12:11) in the second match of the semifinals of the Serbian Championship and qualified for the final.
The third match will be played in the semifinal encounter between Sabac and Radnicki. Sabac edged out Radnicki in Kragujevac on Wednesday (8:7), but Radnicki took revenge for that defeat today (8:5) and secured the third game. The Regional League winner will be the host in the third game, scheduled for Wednesday.
2020/21 Serbian Championship, playoffs
Semifinals (best-of-three), 2nd matches
Sabac – Radnicki 5:8 (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:2) – score in the series 1:1
Sabac: Vuksanovic 2, Stojanovic 2, Repanovic 1.
Radnicki: Radulovic 3, Lukic 2, Toholj 1, Krug 1 Milicic 1.
Crvena Zvezda – Novi Beograd 11:12 (3:3, 4:5, 2:4, 2:0) – score in the series 0:2
Crvena Zvezda: Tankosic 5, Basara 2, Markovic 1, Subotic 1, Sulc 1, Vukicevic 1.
Novi Beograd: Martinovic 3, Cuk 2, Gogov 2, Gardasevic 2, Radanovic 1, Bursac 1, Asanovic 1.
Radnicki had a slim advantage after a low-scoring first half of the game played in Sabac (3:2). By the middle of the third period, Radnicki built a 3-goal advantage (5:2) and that proved vital for their win. The big rivals fought a hard battle, Sabac put a lot of effort into a comeback, but with no success. Sabac managed to reduce the gap to two goals three times (3:5, 4:6, 5:7), but Radnicki controlled the match and kept the advantage earned during the third quarter.
In the first match, Novi Beograd convincingly beat Crvena Zvezda (12:6), easier than expected. Today, Crvena Zvezda proved that it wasn’t an underdog. It played a good match but didn’t manage to beat its rival.
Novi Beograd took a 2:0 lead, but the hosts caught up with the visitors quickly. Early in the second quarter, the hosts went in front (4:3). After that, the advantage was exchanging. Crvena Zvezda equalized for the last time in the 16th minute (7:7). However, just a second before the end of the first half, Novi Beograd’s Radanovic converted a man-up, and the visitors had an 8:7 lead at halftime. By the last period, Novi Beograd earned a 3-goal advantage (12:9). Still, Crvena Zvezda didn’t surrender. The hosts opened the final quarter with two quick goals to cut the deficit (11:12). But there were no goals in the last five minutes, and Novi Beograd kept a slim lead and secured a spot in the final.
2020/21 Croatian Championship, playoffs
Semifinals for places 5th-8th
Primorje – POSK 22:12 (7:4, 4:2, 5:3, 6:3)
Primorje defeated POSK in the semifinal of the playoffs for the classification 5th-8th and advanced to the duel for the 5th place. Primorje’s rival in the 5th-place matches will be Medvescak.
More news about the national water polo competitions in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro.
