Many European clubs test their shape for a new season in friendly matches.
A friendly tournament, with the participation of clubs from three countries, has started in the second-biggest Serbian city, Novi Sad. Home club Vojvodina hosted Partizan, Hungarian Szeged, and Greek Peristeri.
After two rounds, Partizan and Szeged have six points each and will battle for 1st place in their encounter in the last round tomorrow.
Tournament “Novi Sad Open 2022”
Round 1
Peristeri – Partizan 13:15 (2:4,5:3, 2:3, 4:5)
Persteri: Foskolos 6, Prekas 2, Gerakoudis 2, Karountzos 2, Tsachelidis 1.
Partizan: Smiljevic 4, Milos 3, Gladovic 3, Gak 2, Bodiroga 1 Trtovic 1, Paparic 1.
Vojvodina – Szeged 7:13 (1:4, 3:2, 0:5, 3:2)
Vojvodina: Kasum 3, Yutmas 2, Radovanlija 1, Vujkovic 1.
Szeged: Kurti 4, Kardos 3, Bobis 2, Horvath 2,Santa 1
Serbian clubs and Szeged still aren’t on the full rosters because some of their players are with the U19 national teams at the European Championships in Podgorica.
Partizan, which has significantly changed the roster since the last season, beat Peristeri in the first round. Partizan’s attack was led by Petar Smiljevic and a Croat Lovre Milos, who is one of just a few experienced players who didn’t leave Partizan this summer. Milos’ countryman Lovro Paparic debuted for Partizan, scoring one goal. Russian goalkeeper Evgeniy Kastrov debuted for Partizan as well.
Szeged opened the game against host Vojvodina very well. Vojvodina, led by two reinforcements- Petar Kasum and a Turk Yutmas – tried to come back, but Szeged secured a win with a furious 3rd quarter. Peter Dominik Kurti contributed to the win with four goals. Alexander Kardos added three.
Round 2
Szeged – Peristeri 19:11 (4:2, 5:2, 6:6, 4:1)
Szeged: Kurti 4, Boros 4, Porge 3, Bobis 3, Kardos 2, Santa 2, Baj 1.
Peristeri: , Karountzos 3, Foskolos 3, Prekas 2, Kazazis 1, Tsachilidis 1, Torakis 1,
Vojvodina – Partizan 7:10 (2:1, 3:1, 1:6, 1:2)
Vojvodina: Kasum 4, Vujkovic 2, Radovanlija 1.
Partizan: Trtovic 3, Giga 2, Gak 2, Milos 1,Gladovic 1, Smiljevic 1
The duel between Szeged and Peristeri turned into a flood of goals. Still, Szeged was always ahead. The Hungarians earned a 10:4 lead early in the third period. After that, Peristeri, with a new goalkeeper, Team USA’s Drew Holland, couldn’t endanger Szeged’s advantage.
The second round was closed by the Serbian derby.
Vojvodina changed the team, like Partizan, but it renewed contracts with some of the key players from the last season’s team. The hosts dictated the pace for two quarters and a half. Vojvodina had a 6:4 lead in the middle of the third period. However, Partizan scored four goals between the 20th and 24th minute and entered the final period leading 8:6. Vojvodina halved the deficit early in the fourth. Still, Partizan responded with two goals and recorded the second win in the tournament.
Partizan will play against Szeged, while Vojvodina will face Peristeri in the last round on Sunday.
