Ljubljana Let Slip a Chance for Victory

In a postponed Alpe Waterpolo League match, Ljubljana Slovan suffered a 20:22 defeat to Mladost Zagreb at the Ilirija Pool in Ljubljana after a weaker penalty shootout performance (6:4, 4:4, 5:6, 3:4; 2:4).

Ljubljana Slovan – Mladost 20:22 (6:4, 4:4, 5:6, 3:4; 2:4)
Ljubljana – Ilirija Pool
Referees: Margeta, Vehovec

Ljubljana Slovan: Karničar, P. Kirasič; Petrović, Čanč 5, Potočnik 4, Klobučar 1, Lipnik 5, Povhe 1, Rašljić, Čarni, Četković 1, Petković, Zohil, Kašćelan 1.
Head coach: Jure Škof.

Mladost Zagreb: Batoš, Radman; Kumrić, Čolović 3, Erenda 3, Sappe, Bolanca, Petrović Malešević, Dobrić 11, Maglica, Brčić, Antunović, Šindler.
Head coach: Damir Vincek.

The Ljubljana side missed a great opportunity on home soil to overtake Opatija for second place in the standings. The two teams will meet on Saturday at the final regular-season tournament of the Alpe Waterpolo League. On the other hand, last season’s champions from Zagreb caught up with Opatija thanks to this victory. Mladost will face league leaders Branik in Rijeka on Saturday. Branik remain unbeaten at the top of the table and will host the Final Six tournament at the end of the regular season.

The home team entered the match without their first-choice goalkeeper Jure Beton, who is injured, while head coach Jure Škof was also unable to count on suspended Branko Kirasić. The absence of both players was noticeable, although Ljubljana held the advantage for most of the game. The visitors led only once in the first quarter (4:3) and once in the second (6:7). At halftime, Ljubljana were two goals ahead after a strike by Marcel Lipnik.

The second half began better for the visitors, who took a 13:11 lead midway through the third quarter and also went ahead 14:12. However, Enej Potočnik’s goal ensured Ljubljana entered the final quarter with a narrow advantage. They twice built a two-goal cushion in the fourth period, the last time at 18:16, and had several good chances to extend their lead to three. Instead, the unstoppable Fran Dobrić scored his eleventh goal of the match just over two minutes before the end to pull Zagreb within one. With 1:44 remaining, Andrija Čolović equalised.

With no further goals in regular time, the winner was decided in a penalty shootout. The Zagreb side were more composed, converting all four attempts. For the home team, Luka Četković and Povhe missed, while Marcel Lipnik and Potočnik had already failed to convert penalties during regular play.

Article by: Miha Štamcar
Photo: Aleksander Sokler