The visiting teams claimed victories in the most important matches of the sixth round of the Premier VRL League.
Primorac defeated Jadran m:tel 16:13 in Herceg Novi in the traditional “Boka Bay Derby,” while Novi Beograd Tehnomanija beat Sabac Elixir by the same margin, in a very different kind of contest – 10:u.
The “Boka Bay Derby” was a nerve-wracking affair for supporters of both teams, but a thrilling spectacle for neutral water polo fans. Primorac secured all three points after several major momentum swings. The Kotor-based team carried momentum from its strong performance at the Euro Cup qualifying tournament in Aix-en-Provence last weekend. Early in the second quarter, Primorac led 6:2, but Jadran fought back to level the score at 6:6 in the 14th minute.
The visitors nevertheless held a narrow 7:6 lead at halftime, which Yusuke Inaba doubled in Primorac’s first attack of the second half. Jadran had enough strength to fight back once more. A 5:0 run put the Herceg Novi side 11:8 ahead just over two minutes before the end of the third quarter.
However, Primorac began to regain control towards the end of the period. Jadran still led 12:9, but Ubovix scored in the final second of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 10:12. In the fourth quarter, Primorac scored six unanswered goals and built an unassailable 16:12 lead with 78 seconds remaining. After Primorac’s 7:0 run, the hosts managed a consolation goal in the closing moments.
Photo by Vuk Ilic
Experienced players played a key role in Primorac’s triumph. Olympic champion Nemanja Ubovic scored four goals, while Dragan Draskovic and Japanese Yusuke Inaba added three apiece. Goalkeeper Kralj also delivered a strong performance. Stupar, Trtovic and Ukropina scored three goals each for Jadran.
In Serbia, the spotlight fell on a clash between two serious contenders for a Final Four spot. Having successfully competed in the Euro Cup qualifiers, Sabac Elixir hosted Novi Beograd Tehnomanija in a showdown dominated by two strong defenses. Only four goals were scored in the first 11 minutes, with each team finding the net twice.
Midway through the second quarter, Novi Beograd scored three unanswered goals in just over two minutes to take a 5:2 lead. Sabac reduced the deficit to 4:5, but Novi Beograd continued to dictate the pace. Early in the second half, two goals from Nikola Kojic extended the visitors’ advantage to four-to-five. Over the final 12 minutes, Novi Beograd’s strong defense kept the hosts from mounting a comeback. Vasilije Martinovic was the leading scorer in the 10:7 victory with four goals, while Rodoljub Gajic scored three for Šabac.
Vasilije Martinovic (NBG) Photo by Dejan Djordjevic
The most exciting game of the round took place in Podgorica, where Buducnost One edged out Budva BR 12:11. At the first break, the score was 4:4. The game followed a similar pattern in the second quarter, so the teams were tied at 8:8 at halftime. The rivals continued exchanging goals until 10:10. Just 32 seconds before the last break, Vuskovic put Buducnost in front – 11:10. There were no goals in the following six minutes, when Vuskovic added his second goal, making it 12:10.
Partizan climbed into 6th place with an away victory over Valis Vega, 19:10. The Belgrade-based team quickly earned a 3:0 lead. Valis cut its deficit to one goal twice (2:3 and 3:4), but Partizan held a 7:5 lead at halftime. The visitors broke the hosts’ ressistance with a 4:1 fourth quarter for a comfortable 11:6 advantage before the final quarter. Kosta Bodiroga was unstoppable, finding Valis’s net six times.
Radnicki continued its winning streak with a comfortable 27:6 victory over Vojvodina. Every Kragujevac outfield player found the net, with Vrlic and Vapenski leading the scoring with four goals apiece.
Nais earned its first points of the season by defeating Zemun Vrdnik Residence 13:11 at home. Zemun held a three-goal advantage at halftime, leading 7:4, but the Nis side caught up by the end of the third quarter to make it 9:9. Nais struck twice in the opening minute of the final quarter to move ahead 11:9 and maintained its advantage until the final whistle. Luka Pejic led the way with four goals, while veteran goalkeeper Igor Lazić made 17 saves.
2027 Premier VRL League, Round 6
( Quarters 1:1, 3:5, 2:3, 1:1)
(quarters 2:4, 4:3, 6:3, 1:6)
(quarters 2:4, 3:3,1:4, 4:8)
(Quarters 4:4, 4:4, 3:2, 1:1)
(Quarters 6:1, 9:1, 7:2, 5:2)
(quarters 2:3, 2:4, 5:2, 4:2)
Standings: 1. Radnicki 18, 2. Novi Beograd 18, 3. Jadran 12, 4. Buducnost 12, 5. Sabac 12, 6. Partizan 10, 7. Primorac 9, 8. Budva 8, 9. Valis 3, 10. Nais 3, 11. Vojvodina 3, 12. Zemun 0.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
