Ljubljana Strikes in the Final Second to Secure Grand Final Spot!

Mladost Dominates Vienna to Secure First Final Spot

The first semifinal saw Vienna keep pace only until the end of the opening quarter when AWL’s top scorer, Adam Mitruk, struck to cut the deficit to 3:2. But from then on, it was all about Mladost. The Zagreb side hit the gas, closing the first quarter at 5:2. They carried the same intensity into the second and third quarters, going on an unanswered 7:0 run to storm ahead to an uncatchable 12:2 lead—game over. Mladost is the first team through to the final, while Vienna will face Opatija in the bronze medal match.

HAVK Mladost : ASV Wien 14:6 (5:2, 3:0, 4:0, 2:4)
Referees: Homovec (SLO), Radonjič (SLO). Delegate: Stariha (SLO).

MLADOST: Radman Petar, Palavra Luka 1, Fajković Amar, Čolović Andrija, Erenda Petar 2, Rogić Filip, Branković Vito, Šorić Matej 4, Dobrić Fran 2, Sošić Niko 2, Jakuš Fabio, Bučević Bartul 2, Ljubenko Ivan, Brčić Vito 1.
Coach: Damir Vincek.

WIEN: Hoferica Tomas, Budija Marko, Curcic Luka, Sarandi Botond 1, Mitruk Adam 2, Savic Mladen 1, Milosevic Sergej, Vranjes Vlado, Szávai Károly, Dukic Milan, Sarandi Hunor, Jovandic Damian, Krupar Alexandr, Pourazim Daniel 2.
Coach: Mike Fasching. Assistant: Szávai Károly.

Unbelievable Finish – Ljubljana Clinches Victory with 0.6 Seconds Left!

The second semifinal was a true water polo masterpiece. The opening quarter was a tight battle, with both teams trading goals. However, drama struck when Jošt Čarni, the quarterfinal hero, was shown a red card by referee Margeta for a foul. At halftime, the scoreboard read 7:7.

The game remained neck-and-neck, but in the closing moments of the third quarter, Ljubljana capitalized on two power plays. Miha Petrovčič and Enej Potočnik, who finished as the game’s top scorer with five goals, stretched their lead to two heading into the final period.

Then came the moment of the tournament—a fourth quarter packed with drama! The stands were bursting, with even the visiting team enjoying passionate support. Opatija fought back fiercely, first equalizing and then taking the lead at 12:11. With two minutes to go, Rok Kirasič leveled the score once again.

As the final seconds ticked away, Opatija had the last possession and a chance to win it all. But Ljubljana’s defense held firm. Then, in a lightning-fast counterattack, they delivered a stunning knockout blow—scoring with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock!

Ljubljana pulls off an incredible last-second victory and marches into the grand final, where they will face Zagreb’s powerhouse, Mladost.

VK Opatija : VK Ljubljana Slovan 12:13 (5:5, 2:2, 2:4, 3:2)
Referees: Margeta (SLO), Suhadolnik T. (SLO). Delegate: Balderman (SLO).

OPATIJA: Dipić Mauro, Smokvina Bruno, Tomić Duje, Turk Patrik, Peroš Duje, Blažić Marko 4, Kaluđerović Marko 2, Šurbek Ivan 2, Kolak Dominik, Dujmić Lucijan 3, Sklepić Filip, Doknić Marko 1, Kolanović Bartol, Smokvina Toni.
Coach: Marcel Latin. Assistant.

SLOVAN: Beton Jure, Vuković Roko 3, Čanč Matija Bernard 2, Potočnik Enej 5, Žiberna Nejc, Lipnik Marcel, Povhe Anže 2, Kirasič Branko, Čarni Jošt, Klobučar Jaka, Petković Martin, Petrovčič Miha, Kirasič Peter, Kirasič Rok 1.
Coach: Jure Škof. Assistant: Martin Puš.

Article written by Aleksander Sokler
Photo: David Novak