The Croatian Water Polo Championship semi-finals delivered high drama on Wednesday as Mladost Zagreb edged out Jug Dubrovnik in a penalty shootout thriller (12:10), leveling their best-of-three series at 1-1. Meanwhile, Jadran Split secured their spot in the final with a second straight victory over Solaris in Šibenik (15:10).
Mladost holds nerve in Dubrovnik shootout
In a fiercely contested match at the Gruž pool, Mladost survived a tense battle against Jug Dubrovnik, keeping their title hopes alive. The game ended 7:7 in regular time, but the visitors prevailed in the shootout (5:3), setting up a winner-takes-all third game in Zagreb this weekend.
There were no goals in a cagey first quarter. Jug opened the scoring in the second period with two goals, but Luka Bukić brought Mladost level with a quickfire brace. Goalkeeper Ivan Marcelić made a crucial penalty save just before halftime, keeping the score tied at 2:2.
Jug gained momentum in the third quarter and briefly led 6:4, helped by Maro Joković’s deflected man-up goal. But Mladost dominated the fourth period, converting all their goals from extra-player situations. Ante Vukičević equalized with just 28 seconds remaining, forcing a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Rino Burić’s miss in the third round proved costly for Jug. Mladost was clinical, converting five out of five attempts. Bukić, Vukičević, and Franko Lazić played leading roles, each netting twice in regular time and again in the shootout.
Jadran Split books place in final
While the drama unfolded in Dubrovnik, Jadran Split delivered a confident performance in Šibenik, defeating Solaris 15:10 to complete a 2-0 sweep. The reigning champions recovered from an early deficit to lead 4:3 at the first break and steadily increased their advantage throughout the match.
Jerko Marinić Kragić and Zvonimir Butić both scored three goals to lead Jadran’s attack, while Antonio Petković netted a hat-trick for Solaris in a losing effort.
Jadran now awaits the winner of the decisive third match between Jug and Mladost for the Croatian Championship final.
Croatian League 2025 Playoffs – Semifinals, Game 2
Jug Dubrovnik 10–12 Mladost Zagreb
(0:0, 2:2, 4:2, 1:3 – PSO 3:5)
Series tied 1–1
Solaris 10–15 Jadran Split
(3:4, 3:4, 1:3, 3:4)
Jadran wins series 2–0
5th–8th Place Playoffs
Primorje 17–9 Medveščak
(First leg: 21–10)
Mornar vs. Zadar – Second match scheduled for May 2
(First leg: 17–16)
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