Almost all teams participating in the Regional League Final Four have been confirmed following the matches of the 20th round. Novi Beograd, Jadran Split, and Jadran Herceg Novi mathematically secured their Final Four tickets. It’s very likely that Radnicki will join them.
However, a significant question remains: “Where will the Final Four be held?” The race for 1st place has not yet been concluded, but we may have a clearer answer on Monday after the last game of the 20th round between Jadran HN and Radnicki.
As for the remaining five matches, there were no surprises.
One of the derbies was an encounter between Novi Beograd and Mladost, managed by Novi Beograd’s former coach Igor Milanovic. The Serbian champion built a big lead in time. After the first quarter, Novi Beograd was four goals ahead of the visitors (6:2). The hosts increased the margin to seven by halftime (12:5). In the middle of the third period, Novi Beograd was 14:6 up. Despite a weakened defense in the final 12 minutes, Novi Beograd secured a comfortable 19:11 victory, with three goals each from Milos Cuk, Nikola Lukic, and junior Luka Gladovic. Ten players from Novi Beograd got on the scoresheet, while Luka Bukic netted three goals for Mladost.
Jadran Split defeated Solaris 14:8. Since Mladost lost to Novi Beograd, Jadran made an unattainable 10-point advantage over 5th-placed Mladost with three rounds remaining. As expected, Jadran led throughout the match. Solaris kept up with the favorites for almost two quarters. Late into the first half, the Sibenik-based side trailed by a goal (4:5). Then, Jadran scored eight goals in a row between the 16th and 25th minute, went to 13:4 and sealed a convincing victory. Loren Fatovic led the Croatian champion with four goals.
An excellent performance in the first half was key to Primorac’s victory over Crvena Zvezda (17:10). The Montenegrins got off to a flying start, quickly earning a 5:0 lead. Deep into the second quarter, Primorac extended their advantage to eight goals, leading 10:2. After that, the margin was never smaller than five goals.
Jug triumphed over Primorje – 17:11. This encounter between the 2024 LEN Euro Cup semifinalists was similar to the game in Kotor. Jug maintained control from the first whistle, building a 3:0 lead in the first quarter. Although Primorje managed to narrow the gap to one goal at 3:4 early in the second period, Jug quickly responded with a 4:0 run to stifle Primorje’s comeback attempt. Marko Zuvela and Vlaho Pavlic contributed significantly to Jug’s victory, each scoring four goals.
Sabac struggled, but it defeated last-placed Valis 13:10. Valis kept up with Sabac for more than three quarters. In the middle of the final period, Valis trailed 10:11. Luka Pljevancic sealed Sabac’s victory with two quick goals within 34 seconds (an extra player goals and a counterattack). He was the best scorer with four goals.
Novi Beograd – Mladost 19:11 (6:2, 6:3, 3:5, 4:1)
Jadran Split – Solaris 14:8 (3:2, 3:2, 6:0, 2:4)
Primorac – Crvena Zvezda 17:10 (5:1, 6:3, 1:2, 5:4)
Jug – Primorje 17:11 (4:1, 5:3, 5:6, 3:1)
Valis – Sabac 10:13 (1:3, 4:2, 3:4, 2:4)
Jadran Herceg Novi – Radnicki on Monday
1. Novi Beograd 20 – 51
2. Jadran Split 20 – 49
3. Jadran Herceg Novi 19 – 48
4. Radnicki 19 – 46
5. Mladost 20 – 38
6. Sabac 20 – 28
7. Jug 20 – 22
8. Primorac 19 – 21
9. Crvena Zvezda 20 – 18
10.Primorje 20 – 17
11. Solaris 20 – 14
12. Valis Vega 20 – 1
