Jadran and Jug to Compete for First Trophy of the Season

Starting in 2022, in Croatian men's water polo, only two clubs compete for all domestic trophies. Literally, it's only Jadran and Jug Adriatic Insurance.

Ninth Final in Three Years
During this period, in the Croatian Championship, Jadran have won the series twice (2022/23 and 2023/24), while Jug won once (2021/22). In the national cup, it's the opposite story. Jug have won the Croatian Cup trophy twice during this period (2022 and 2023), while Jadran won it once (2021). Additionally, there have been two Super Cup matches played so far, with the current record being 1-1. In other words, out of the previous 8 finals for the major Croatian trophies, the score between Split and Dubrovnik is equal; 4-4. This Wednesday evening in Šibenik, someone will take the lead.

Third Super Cup
The pool in Crnica is hosting the third edition of the Men's Super Cup. This is a trophy that can be won much quicker than the one in the Cup. Namely, in the Croatian Cup competition, you still need to go through qualifications, semifinals of the final tournament, and of course the final. In the Super Cup... just one match. Only 32 minutes, possibly followed by a penalty shootout. It is true, however, that reaching the Super Cup is not a walk in the park either, as the right to compete for this cup is obtained based on previously winning the Croatian Championship or Croatian Cup. But, you get the point.

Jadran and Jug Adriatic Insurance have already faced each other this season. Moreover, a few days ago, or on Saturday, as part of the Premier League competition. The home team in Split won fairly convincingly (15:12), but many from both clubs will still say today - that's in the past, that's over, now a new match awaits.

No Favorites

– Yes, we won on Saturday, but I wouldn't say that we are the favorites, especially when it comes to playing just one match for the trophy, there are no favorites in that situation – confirms the captain of Split, Jerko Marinić Kragić.

A similar sentiment is echoed by the most experienced among the Dubrovnik players, Maro Joković.
– Now we have one match ahead of us, just one for the trophy, and anything can happen in one match. Let's start the fight, it begins at 0:0, and we'll see where it takes us.

Stars in the Pool
Both teammates in the national team and now opponents in the Super Cup are right. Drawing conclusions or expectations based on previous matches or multiple matches or on the fact that Jug has had three defeats in the last 10 days may not be relevant now in Šibenik.

– It has been shown before that these two teams cannot be easily defeated by each other – emphasizes Marinić Kragić and continues.
– Our season has been really good so far. Almost no losses, we play well, we click well together, everyone is satisfied, we're very well prepared.
Yes, it is true that we have changed the look of the team a lot compared to last season. Bukić, Harkov, Vrlić, Biljaka, Radović have left... That is like 10 goals. I mean, figuratively speaking, I'm not saying that all these players would each score 10 goals in every match, but that's their value.

Although sometimes the mentioned players would even score 10 goals each. The only thing is that Jadran has a player in their ranks who has been in exceptional form in the last year, or even more days. We're talking about Loren Fatović. In the Champions League, he scored 5 goals against Radnički, in the Premier League 6 against Primorac from Kotor, last Saturday again 6 against Jug...

– He is a man who makes the difference and he has proven that countless times – his opponent in Šibenik, Jug's Maro Joković, will give the most beautiful compliment about Fatović.
– His offensive performance is truly exceptional, he needs special attention – says Joković.
– However, this is now a new match, a new opportunity to prove ourselves. We gained insight in the last match against Jadran, to see where we stand, to compare ourselves with our only representative in the Champions League. For us to win the Super Cup, we need a good team play. We need the engagement of not just one, but at least 10 good players to stay on equal ground with Jadran and then try to secure a goal in the finale – Maro Joković concludes.

In the goals, Popadić and Bijač, in the outfield Joković, Fatović, Marinić Kragić, Butić, Cabanas, Zović. In defense, Žuvela, Burić. In the center, Herceg and Dužević. These are just some, not all players of both teams, national team quality players or close to the national team level.
A guarantee of quality, but also an extra invitation to come to Crnica on Wednesday evening (20:00) or if you can't make it, watch on TV on SPTV.

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Previous Super Cup Matches:

Season 2021/22 – ZADAR: Jug Adriatic Insurance - Jadran 14:11

Season 2022/23 – ZAGREB: Jadran - Jug Adriatic Insurance 13:11