Important Win for Triglav, Defeat for Koper
In a postponed Alpe Waterpolo League match, Triglav defeated Medveščak Zagreb 19:11 (4:5, 4:3, 4:1, 5:2) in their home pool in Kranj. With this victory, the Kranj side have virtually secured their place in the Final Tournament ahead of the last regular-season event, which will take place next weekend in Rijeka.
Koper’s water polo players were less successful against the Zagreb side. Despite a strong start at home, they eventually lost 15:18 (5:3, 2:5, 4:7, 4:3).
Triglav – Medveščak 17:11 (4:5, 4:3, 4:1, 5:2)
Kranj – POB Kranj
Referees: Homovec, Suhadolnik
Triglav Kranj: Smolič, Udovč; Berić, Vujanović, Cvijanović Tepina, Lah, Gostić, Justin, Paunović 3, Vončina, Todić 1, Troppan 8, Cerar 5, Velikanje.
Head Coach: Marko Gostić.
Medveščak Zagreb: Subota, Miočević; Čoga-Šterle, Džalto, Kuleš, Marković, Matić, Sever 2, Sule, Beljan, Ražov, Varga 8, Orlovac-Marić, Babić.
Head Coach: Ivan Rukavina.
While the young Zagreb side had already lost any chance of finishing among the top six teams that will qualify for the Final Tournament (March 6–8, host yet to be determined), Triglav urgently needed all three points.
After the first quarter, the home side trailed by one goal, with 16-year-old David Varga scoring four times for the visitors. Varga was again decisive in the second quarter, ensuring Medveščak went into halftime level.
With his seventh goal of the match, Varga restored Medveščak’s narrow lead (9:8) early in the third quarter. However, two consecutive goals by Aljaž Troppan turned the tide, and Triglav entered the final break ahead 12:9.
In the last quarter, the home side extended their advantage. Troppan finished with eight goals, while Varga also scored eight for the visitors. Aleksander Cerar added five goals for Triglav.
With the win, Triglav move into fifth place with 20 points, while Medveščak remain ninth with six.
Before the tournament in Rijeka, Ljubljana Slovan — currently third with 23 points — will host Mladost Zagreb next Thursday in another postponed match. The game will take place at 20:45 at the Ilirija Sports Centre. The postponed fixture between Opatija and Ströck Wien will be played on March 1 in Rijeka, while Medveščak and Calcit Water Polo will meet on March 4 in Zagreb.
Koper-Hanna – Medveščak 15:18 (5:3, 2:5, 4:7, 4:3)
Koper – Olympic Pool Žusterna
Referee: Kavčič
Koper-Hanna: Bressan, Lončarevič; Radunović, Krivičić 1, Bulatović, Nastran 1, Fabič 5, Rafaele, Fičur 3, Treu 4, Lazić, Fumo 1, Radonjić, Milošević.
Medveščak: Subota, Šimatović; Čoga-Šterle 1, Džalto, Kuleš 4, Marković 3, Matić, Sever, Sule, Radoš, Gale, Varga 6, Orlovac-Marić, Babić 4.
Head Coach: Ivan Rukavina.
In their penultimate AWL match of the season, Koper-Hanna had to concede defeat to Medveščak, despite an excellent start. A goal by Mitja Treu 25 seconds before the end of the first quarter gave the hosts a 5:2 lead. In the final second of the quarter, however, David Varga scored his third goal to reduce the deficit.
During the second quarter, the Zagreb side trailed by three goals on two occasions, the last time after Uroš Fabič made it 7:4. But before halftime, a goal by Babić gave the visitors a narrow lead.
Early in the third quarter, Fabič equalized at 8:8. Varga and Filip Marković then scored twice to give Medveščak an 11:8 advantage. By the end of the quarter, the visitors had extended their lead to 15:10.
Gašper Fičur gave the home crowd renewed hope, and early in the final quarter Fabič reduced the gap to three goals (13:16). However, Varga sealed the victory with two goals in less than a minute, ending Koper’s comeback hopes.
Standings
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AVK Branik Maribor – 30 points
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VK Opatija – 24 points
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VK Ljubljana Slovan – 23 points
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HAVK Mladost – 21 points
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AVK Triglav Kranj – 20 points
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VK Jadran Kostrena – 17 points
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ASV Ströck Wien – 15 points
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VD NTS Koper – Hanna – 9 points
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VK Medveščak – 6 points
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VK Delfin Rovinj – 6 points
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Calcit Water Polo – 3 points
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VK Torpedo Sarajevo – 0 points
Author: Miha Štamcar
Photo: Aleksander Sokler
