Novi Beograd maintained their perfect start to the season with a 16-14 away victory over Budva in the third round of the Premier VRL League.
Jadran Herceg Novi and Radnicki also made it three wins from three, while Primorac claimed their first victory of the campaign after edging Partizan 16-15 in Kotor.
Novi Beograd were forced to work hard in Budva in what was the sixth match in ten days for both sides following their Champions League qualifying campaigns.
Budva made the stronger start and moved 7-5 ahead midway through the second quarter, but Novi Beograd responded with four unanswered goals to turn the game around and take a 9-7 lead.
The visitors led 10-8 at half-time before Budva twice drew level early in the third period. Novi Beograd answered on both occasions and eventually created the decisive separation late in the quarter.
Vasilije Martinovic scored twice inside the final 34 seconds of the third period, including once from the penalty line, to send Novi Beograd into the final quarter with a 14-11 advantage.
They controlled the closing stages to complete a 16-14 victory and extend their perfect record across all competitions to six wins from six.
Martinovic finished with five goals, while Nikola Kojic added four. Novi Beograd were particularly effective on extra-player opportunities, converting eight of their ten chances.
Primorac secured their first league victory of the season with a narrow 16-15 win over Partizan.
The Montenegrin side established a 9-6 half-time lead and were still four goals clear at 15-11 with five minutes remaining. Partizan mounted a late comeback and reduced the gap to 15-14, but Nemanja Ubovic responded with a crucial goal for Primorac.
Partizan scored once more in the closing stages, but Primorac held possession in the final seconds to secure all three points.
Djuro Radovic led Primorac with six goals, while Balsa Vuckovic scored five.
Elsewhere, Radnicki continued their unbeaten start with a 15-8 victory over Valis despite rotating their squad and giving significant minutes to younger players.
Jadran Herceg Novi produced the biggest score of the round, defeating Zemun 30-9. Aleksa Ukropina scored six times for the Montenegrin champions.
Buducnost also recorded a comfortable victory, beating Vojvodina 18-4, with former Croatia captain Ivan Krapic scoring four.
Sabac completed the round with a 14-11 away win against Nais. Sabac led 12-8 after three quarters before surviving a late push from the hosts.
After three rounds, Jadran, Radnicki and Novi Beograd remain level at the top of the standings with nine points each.
Premier VRL League – Round 3
Budva 14-16 Novi Beograd
Primorac 16-15 Partizan
Radnicki 15-8 Valis
Buducnost 18-4 Vojvodina
Jadran Herceg Novi 30-9 Zemun
Nais 11-14 Sabac
Homepage
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X