Summary of the first 2 rounds of the Croatian Championship

The new season or the new Croatian Championship for the younger juniors began with the matches of the 1st round on Friday and Saturday. However, Sunday brought the matches of the 2nd round as well. As a reminder, the defending champions Medveščak triumphed in the Zagreb final against Mladost last season.

Medveščak passed Višnjik, then faced Primorje EB

Medveščak immediately had a challenging away game to start with, against Zadar 1952 in Višnjik. The Medvjedi surpassed it with a two-goal advantage in their favor.
It was not easy at all, just as we anticipated. The Zadrans led several times in the first half (2:1, 4:2, and 5:4) before Medveščak took the lead in the second half. However, the hosts didn't give the guests a moment to relax. They were constantly trailing by a goal or two, threatening with an equalizer which they achieved twice (7:7 and 9:9). Until just over two minutes before the end, Zagreb managed to maintain a minimal lead of 14:12.
In Donat Lipovac, Zadar 1952 had an extremely motivated individual with 5 goals, but Medveščak responded even stronger – David Varga scored 6 goals, Maks Orlovac Marić 4.
In the 2nd round, Medveščak was relentless at home against Primorje EB. The 21:5 scoreline shows that Medvjedi continue with their dominant performances from the previous season. David Varga scored 5 goals this time.

Mladost convincingly against Rijeka, penalty shootouts against Zadar

The runner-up, Zagreb's Mladost, easily defeated the visitors from Rijeka in their season opener. A margin of 12 goals and 5 goals by Andrija Korda.
A much tougher game for the Žapci was in the 2nd round against Zadar 1952 in Višnjik. Zadar 1952 hosted both clubs from the capital Zagreb in the first two rounds. The match against Mladost was decided in a penalty shootout after four quarters. The game was evenly matched for the first three quarters before Zadrans took the lead 9:6 by halftime. The hosts maintained a three-goal lead until late in the third period (11:8), but Mladost managed to equalize (11:11) before the last eight minutes. Since there was no winner after four quarters (15:15), penalty shootouts were conducted, with Mladost emerging as the luckier and more skillful team.

Goal-fest at Poljud

In Split, Jadran and Solaris played a game with a total of 34 goals. Nardo Skejić (5 goals), Duje Burazin, and Ante Domazet (4 goals each) were decisive for the young Jadran players. Only this trio scored almost as many goals as the entire Solaris team.

Double victory for Jug in Gruž

The most thrilling match of the 1st round was played in Dubrovnik between Jug Adriatic osiguranje and Mornar. After the home team led 6:0 at the end of the first quarter, the guests won the second quarter 3:0. Nevertheless, after the third period, Jug still held a high lead of 9:5. Midway through the last quarter, Mornar reduced it to 9:7, but Toni Drobac scored for 10:7 with less than three minutes remaining. Split reduced to 10:8 with a minute and a half left, and the young Mornar team scored the final goal for 10:9 just 6 seconds before the final buzzer.
In the second round on Sunday, Jug had an easier game against Mornar, resulting in a 13:5 victory, and Toni Drobac was the top scorer with 6 goals.

Korčula 'defeated' Galeb and Mornar

There was no luck or points for Makarski Galeb MR in the 1st round at the Gojko Arneri swimming pool. The Makarans arrived with only 11 players, which was a serious rotation disadvantage that further intensified the one-sided match.
In the 2nd round, KPK defeated Mornar at home, but through penalty shootouts. The home team held a 10:8 lead four minutes before the end, but the Split team managed to equalize three minutes before the final whistle. However, the young Korčula team won two points in the shootout.