Jadran Herceg Novi edged past Primorac in a dramatic opening to the 2025 Montenegrin Water Polo Championship Final, winning 16:14 after a penalty shootout (12:12 regular time). The best-of-five series now tilts slightly in Jadran’s favour, as they move two wins away from clinching the national title.
Led by the experienced Aleksandar Ivovic, Jadran took early control of the match. Primorac managed to equalize twice in the first quarter (1:1 and 2:2), but Jadran closed the period with a 3:2 lead. Early in the second quarter, Dmitri Kholod extended the gap to 4:2, and soon after, Vasilije Radovic gave the hosts a three-goal cushion at 6:3.
However, momentum shifted as Primorac responded with three consecutive goals. Dusan Matkovic levelled the score at 6:6 from a man-up situation just before halftime.
In the third quarter, Janovic gave Primorac their first lead at 7:6, but Jadran quickly regrouped. Stupar broke an 8-minute drought to equalize, then added another goal on a counterattack. Although Nika Shushiashvili brought Primorac back level from a penalty (8:8), Radovic once again put Jadran ahead, closing the quarter at 9:8.
The fourth period saw more twists. Shushiashvili equalized again, but Jadran responded with two quick goals—Danilo Radovic scored from a man-up, and Ivovic converted a penalty after a swift counterattack to make it 11:9. Ivovic then added another from the 5-meter mark for 12:10. But Primorac refused to fold: Draskovic and Cetkovic both struck from open play, equalizing at 12:12 with just over two minutes remaining.
With no goals in the final minutes, the game went to penalties.
In the shootout, all four of Jadran’s players converted their shots. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Darko Djurovic made a crucial save against Shushiashvili in the second round, and Janovic hit the crossbar in the fourth. Jadran sealed the win with a 4:2 score in the shootout.
2025 Montenegrin Championship Final – Game 1
Jadran Herceg Novi 16–14 Primorac
(3:2, 3:4, 3:2, 3:4; penalties: 4:2)
Jadran scorers: Ivovic 4, Kholod 2, V. Radovic 2, Stupar 2, D. Radovic 1, Lazic 1
Primorac scorers: Shushiashvili 4, Draskovic 2, Matkovic 2, Janovic 1, Cetkovic 1, Murisic 1, Stanojevic 1
Penalty shootout
Jadran: Ivovic, D. Radovic, Kholod, Gojkovic
Primorac: Stanojevic, Matkovic
Missed: Shushiashvili (saved), Janovic (crossbar)
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