The first tournament has successfully concluded, and the next tournament will be in Sisak

The first tournament of the Alpe Water Polo League is over, and it provided some great matches. After two rounds, Opatija is in first place, followed by Slovan, Mladost, and the reigning champion, Triglav. The next tournament will take place on November 23–24 in Opatija. We’ve put together some statements for you.

Károly Szávai, ASV Wien player:
We are very happy to be part of the event and to have many new teams this year. We travelled to the last round with a very young team so it was a great experience for the guys.

AVK Triglav Kranj-ASV Wien 17:10 (3:1, 6:2, 5:3, 5:4)

We started the game well and managed to hold our own in the first quarter. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the second quarter, one of my teammates suffered a serious injury when he was elbowed in the head, causing a deep cut. I reviewed the video afterward, and the ball was nowhere near where the elbow landed. Unfortunately, no decision was made on the play, but I believe that when a player is bleeding, this should be taken into account, and possibly even a penalty or suspension could follow.

Losing one of our most important players had a big impact on us. In the end, the difference in strength became apparent in the physical battles, and this ultimately led to our defeat. However, I am proud of the boys for their effort.

ASV Wien-Calcit Water Polo 21:9 (5:2, 3:2, 7:1, 6:4)

Before the game we would have signed if we had only one more goal to our name as we were only focused on the three points. I was very happy that we were able to get a win by outclassing them in terms of fitness. It will be a very important three points later on.

I am happy that the young players were able to contribute to the game. We are waiting the next round.

Adam Mitruk, ASV Wien player:
After two intense matches this weekend, we had mixed results that highlighted both the challenges and strengths of our team.

In the first match against Kranj, last year’s league champions, we faced a tough opponent and lost 17:10. Despite our efforts, the absence of five players due to national team commitments had a significant impact on our performance. To make matters worse, we lost another player to injury during the first period. It was a tough game, and if we hadn’t been missing those six players, the result could have been much closer.

In the second match against Calcit, we secured a convincing 21:9 victory. Our superior physical preparation and determination paid off, and even with a limited roster, we played cohesively.

I was pleased with the performance of our team, especially the young players who made their debut in the A-team and AWL. Personally, I felt good in the water and enjoyed both games. Both matches provided valuable lessons, and we are motivated to build on these experiences as we move forward in the season. I am looking forward to the upcoming matches.

Marko Gostić, assistant coach of AVK Triglav Kranj:
Like last season, I am looking forward to the AWL competition, as it has a positive impact on Slovenian water polo. I’m pleased that a few more clubs have joined this season, and I hope the league continues to grow in the years to come. Congratulations on the great work and effort.

The first tournament was very welcome for our team, as we hadn’t played any matches since the Eurocup competition. In the first game against ASV Wien, they fielded a strong lineup in preparation for the upcoming cup championship.

Based on the information we received, the Vienna team played without some key players, so we used the match to try out new tactical moves. With a few younger players joining us this season, we played Sunday’s match against Delfino with a refreshed lineup, allowing the younger members to get their first minutes with the senior squad. We will include them in future tournaments as well, as this is an ideal opportunity for them to prove themselves and gain valuable experience.

The goal for this AWL season remains the same as in previous years: to improve our form step by step, from tournament to tournament.

Article written by Aleksander Sokler, AWL
photo Miha Bitežnik