Jadran Herceg Novi have defended their Montenegrin league title and completed a domestic double, defeating Budva 14-9 in the third match of the final series to seal the championship with a 3-0 sweep.
Vladimir Gojković’s side had already lifted the Montenegrin Cup earlier in the season, and their league triumph also secures a place in the group stage of next season’s Champions League.
Budva, however, can still look back on a hugely successful campaign. After upsetting Primorac Kotor in the semi-finals, they reached the national final, secured a place in Champions League qualification, and also won Division B of the Regional League.
The final had been expected to produce another chapter in the rivalry between Jadran and Primorac, but Budva changed the script with their semi-final win. In the championship series, though, Jadran proved too strong, winning all three matches: 23-16, 20-9 and 14-9.
In the decisive third game, Jadran started sharply and built control early, leading 5-2 after the first quarter and 8-3 at halftime. Budva continued to battle, but the defending champions kept their advantage and managed the match through the second half.
Danil Merkulov led Jadran with three goals, while Jovan Vujović and Fran Valera scored twice each. Lazar Andrić was also important in goal, finishing with 13 saves.
For Budva, Nebojša Vušković and Georgi Agh scored twice each, while Dragoljub Ćetković made 10 saves.
The result leaves Jadran celebrating another dominant domestic season, while Budva can take encouragement from a campaign that exceeded expectations and has already set the foundations for an ambitious summer. The club is reportedly preparing major reinforcements for next season, including Savo Ćetković, Đorđije Stanojević, Bogdan Đurđić and Dejan Lazović.
Primorac Kotor finished third after defeating Budućnost and will enter the Euro Cup group stage, but after beginning the playoffs with hopes of reclaiming the title and reaching the Champions League, their season ends with a sense of disappointment.
Result
Montenegrin League Final – Game 3
Jadran Herceg Novi 14-9 Budva
Quarter scores: 5-2, 3-1, 2-1, 5-5
Jadran scorers: Merkulov 3, Vujović 2, Valera 2, Radović 1, Matijašević 1, Sladović 1, Gojković 1, Janović 1, Stupar 1, Holod 1
Budva scorers: Vušković 2, Agh 2, Asanović 1, Savić 1, Baucalo 1, Vukčević 1
Series result: Jadran Herceg Novi win 3-0
Final series scores: 23-16, 20-9, 14-9
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