Reigning champion Jadran Split survived a major scare in Round 5 of the Croatian Championships, edging Primorje 14–13 in a dramatic finish to close out domestic action for 2025.
Jadran looked in control with a 7–4 halftime lead, but Primorje continued its impressive rise this season. The visitors stormed back in the second half and even took the lead three and a half minutes from time—Babić putting them ahead 13–12.
Primorje held that advantage until the final minute. Then came the turnaround:
Loren Fatović equalised at 13–13 with 52 seconds remaining, and Ivan Domagoj Zović scored the winner with just three seconds left.
Dušan Matković led Jadran with five goals, followed by Fatović (4) and Zović (3). Ivan Vukojević scored three for Primorje.
The round marked the final fixtures of 2025. The league resumes in February with Jadran, Mladost, and Jug all on 15 points from five games, setting up a tight three-way battle at the top.
Elsewhere, the contenders from Zagreb and Dubrovnik cruised:
- Mladost defeated POSK 26–6, with Ivan Nagaev scoring five.
- Jug, missing several key players, beat OVK Split 27–10, with Jarak netting five.
- Medveščak edged Mornar 15–14.
- Zadar 1952 defeated KPK 19–10.
- Solaris had a bye.
2026 Croatian League – Round 5 Results
- Jadran S – Primorje 14:13 (3:3, 4:1, 4:6, 3:3)
- Jug – OVK Split 27:10 (8:2, 7:2, 6:5, 6:1)
- Mladost – POSK 26:6 (4:2, 4:1, 7:1, 11:2)
- Medveščak – Mornar 15:14 (3:4, 3:3, 4:4, 5:3)
- Zadar 1952 – KPK 19:10 (4:2, 6:3, 5:2, 4:3)
Standings (after Round 5)
- Mladost – 15 pts (5 GP)
- Jug – 15 pts (5 GP)
- Jadran Split – 15 pts (5 GP)
- Primorje – 12 pts (4 GP)
- Solaris – 6 pts (4 GP)
- Medveščak – 6 pts (4 GP)
- Zadar 1952 – 3 pts (4 GP)
- Mornar – 3 pts (4 GP)
- KPK Korčula – 0 pts (5 GP)
- POSK 1937 – 0 pts (4 GP)
- OVK Split – 0 pts (5 GP)
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