Three points for Novi Beograd and Radnički to end the first phase of the Champions League
Both Serbian clubs ended the competition in the first phase of the Champions League with victories. Radnički defeated Dinamo Tbilisi 8:6 at home, while Novi Beograd brought three points from Germany, beating Waspo Hannover 12:9.
However, neither of our two teams had any competitive significance. Novi Beograd had already secured first place in Group A, while Radnički was "locked in" third place and will continue the European season in the Euro Cup.
Novi Beograd continued its long series of victories and secured the top spot in Group A with a maximum of 18 points. Hannover kept up with Novi Beograd almost throughout the first half. In the last minute of the second quarter, the home team reduced the deficit to 1 (4:5) for the last time. Martinović doubled the lead with a player advantage 14 seconds before the final break – 6:4. In the third quarter, Živko Gocić's team continued with three consecutive goals, went up to 9:4, and the question of the winner was resolved. Hannover reduced the gap, but did not threaten Novi Beograd, who secured a 12:9 victory (3:2, 3:2, 4:1, 2:4). As in several previous European matches, Vasilije Martinović led Novi Beograd's attack with three goals, with Skumpakis 2, Lukić 2, Gladović, Radović, Vučinić, Dimitrijević, and Perković also scoring for the Serbian champions.
Radnički's coach, Uroš Stevanović, shuffled the deck in the match against Dinamo, so Duško Pijetlović, Radomir Drašović, and Marko Janković watched the match from the stands, while Valiko Dadvani, Bogdan Gavrilović, and Lazar Antić were given the chance to play.
Unlike the first match in Georgia, where they secured victory in the final attack, the Šumadija team controlled the game from start to finish this time, securing an 8:6 victory (2:0, 3:2, 1:1, 2:3) to end this season's participation in the most elite European club competition.
The most efficient player in the winning team was Strahinja Rašović with three goals, while Antić, Gavrilović, Nikola Jakšić, Vićković, and Murišić each scored one goal.
In addition to Novi Beograd, the undefeated teams that advanced to the next phase were Ferencvaroš and Barceloneta. Olympiacos secured the top spot in Group D with a win over Savona on penalties away. Split's Jadran, Marseille, Savona, and Oradea also advanced as second-placed teams, with Oradea securing the 2nd position in Group A behind Novi Beograd after defeating Steaua 19:18 following penalties in a Romanian derby.
Vašaš, coached by Slobodan Nikić, lost to Jadran Herceg Novi in Trebinje and finished fourth in Group C.
Champions League 2024/25, first phase, sixth round
Group A: Waspo 98 Hannover – Novi Beograd 9:12, Oradea – Steaua 19:18 – penalties (11:11) Standings: 1. Novi Beograd 18, 2. Oradea 10, 3. Steaua 7, 4. Waspo 98 Hannover 1.
Group B: Radnički – Dinamo Tbilisi 8:6, Jadran Split – Ferencvaroš 10:12. Standings: 1. Ferencvaroš 18, 2. Jadran Split 11, 3. Radnički 7, 4. Dinamo 0.
Group C: Jadran Herceg Novi – Vašaš 17:9, Marseille – Barceloneta 9:12. Standings: Barceloneta 18, 2. Marseille 9, 3. Jadran Herceg Novi 6, 4. Vašaš 3.
Group D: Savona – Olympiacos 11:14 – penalties (11:11), Sabadell – Primorac 15:16. Standings: 1. Olympiacos 13, 2. Savona 12, 3. Sabadell 6, 4. Primorac 5.
