Radnički wins after drama, becomes Serbian champion for the second time by defeating Novi Beograd!
The water polo team Radnički from Kragujevac has won the title of Serbian champion for the second time in club history, as they defeated Novi Beograd in the decisive match of the final series after a real drama with a score of 14:13. In this way, the team from Kragujevac secured their place in the Champions League next season!
The third match, like the first two, was marked by a great and excellent battle between the two teams, as well as a dramatic ending, even though it didn't seem like it would be that way early in the second half. The team led by Uroš Stevanović took a 2-0 lead, then 4-1 in the first quarter, and in the second quarter they even had a four-goal advantage. At the beginning of the third quarter, the score was the most convincing at 12-6. However, the significant lead clearly relaxed the home team too much, while Novi Beograd started to play much better, reaching an incredible tie (12-12), and then had several opportunities for a complete turnaround.
However, experienced Serbian national team players, Strahinja Rašović and Nikola Jakšić, brought their team a new lead two minutes before the end. The guests reduced the gap in the last minute, and then had an attack for penalties with 20 seconds left. However, they failed to beat Stefan Todorovski, and then there was unnecessary commotion, which can be understood given the high stakes, but should be forgotten soon, as most of these players from both teams will soon gather for the national team preparations.
From the beginning, they confidently entered the game, played with a great deal of self-confidence, and after less than six minutes of play, following goals by Nikola Jakšić, Valik Dadvani, Dušan Vasić, and Nikola Murišić, they gained a nice three-goal lead - 4-1.
They continued at the same pace in the second quarter, doubling their lead by halftime (10-6), and they continued the series upon returning from the break, with goals by Vasić and Radomir Drašović to reach the biggest "plus six" - 12-6.
However, they then stopped and allowed the visiting team, led by Miloš Ćuk and Vasilije Martinović, to come within one goal of the lead before the final quarter - 12-11.
The team from Belgrade even managed to equalize at the start of the fourth quarter, with a goal from the penalty by Nikola Lukić (12-12), but the home team played their best when it was needed most. Three minutes before the end, Strahinja Rašović returned the lead to the home team, and immediately after that, Nikola Jakšić sealed the path to the trophy - 14-12. Aggressive Miloš Ćuk brought back the drama 48 seconds before the end, but the team from Kragujevac managed to withstand the opponent's attacks and after four years bring the trophy back to their city.
The most efficient players in the winning team were Radomir Drašović and Dušan Vasić with three goals each, while Miloš Ćuk was outstanding in crucial moments with five goals for the Novi Beograd team. Goalkeeper Stefan Todorovski also performed superbly in the decisive moments.
Radnički will close the season on Saturday at 7 p.m. with an away match against Pro Reko in the rematch of the Euro Cup final.
Radnički – Novi Beograd 13:12 (4:2, 6:4, 2:5, 2:2)
RADNIČKI: Filipović, Rašović 1, Gavrilović, Janković, Dadvani 2, Pijetlović, Drašović 3, N. Jakšić 2, Vasić 3, Vapenski 1, P. Jakšić 1, Murišić 1, Todorovski, Vićković. Coach: Uroš Stevanović.
NOVI BEOGRAD: Glušac, Gbadamasi, Skumpakis, Martinović 3, Ćuk 5, Radović, Vučinić 1, Dimitrijević 1, Perković, Vlahopulos, Lukić 1, Gladović 1, De Mikelis, Trtović 1. Coach: Živko Gocić.
