Novi Beograd edge past Šabac to set up another final with Radnički

The rivalry between VK Novi Beograd and VK Radnički Kragujevac will continue on Serbian water polo’s biggest stage, after the two heavyweights booked their places in the 2026 Serbian League playoff final.

The clubs, fierce rivals both in and out of the pool, will now meet in the championship series for the fifth time in the last six seasons, and for the third consecutive year.

Radnički, champions in 2021 and 2025, had little trouble reaching the final, sweeping Crvena Zvezda in two matches in the semifinals. Novi Beograd, however, were pushed all the way by a determined VK Šabac side and needed a dramatic victory in the deciding third match to keep their title hopes alive.

The three-time champions (2022, 2023 and 2024) secured a tense 11:10 away win in Šabac to advance to their sixth consecutive Serbian League final.

After opening the series with a 13:9 win, Novi Beograd saw Šabac respond spectacularly in Belgrade, winning the second match 19:18 to force a decider. The third encounter proved just as dramatic, with momentum swings, physical battles and high tension throughout.

Šabac started strongly and raced into a 2:0 lead in the opening quarter. Novi Beograd finally got on the scoreboard with just one second remaining in the period before taking control in the second quarter with three unanswered goals to move ahead 4:2. The hosts reduced the deficit before halftime, trailing 4:3 at the break.

The visitors appeared to gain control early in the second half, building a 6:3 advantage, but Šabac once again fought back and entered the final period just one goal behind at 7:6.

The intensity only increased in the closing stages. Midway through the fourth quarter, Barać gave Šabac a 9:8 lead, but Novi Beograd answered immediately with two goals to regain the advantage. With 66 seconds remaining, Šabac captain Mihajlo Repanović levelled the score at 10:10, setting up a dramatic finish.

The decisive moment came with just 13 seconds left, when Luka Gladović found the net to put Novi Beograd back in front. Šabac still had one final possession, but Milan Glušac produced a crucial save from Aljoša Mačić in the dying seconds to seal Novi Beograd’s place in the final.

Vasilije Martinović led Novi Beograd with five goals, while Gladović and Šulc added two apiece. For Šabac, Stojanović scored three times, while Korać and Kovačević each netted twice.

Like the second match of the series, the game was highly physical. Šabac committed 25 personal fouls compared to Novi Beograd’s 17, while three yellow cards were shown to coaches. Tensions also spilled over into the stands during halftime, when several home supporters approached the Novi Beograd bench before security intervened to prevent further incident.

The Serbian League final will be played as a best-of-five series on May 16, 24 and 27, with additional games scheduled for May 30 and June 3 if necessary. Radnički will host Games 1, 3 and 5.

Meanwhile, Šabac and Crvena Zvezda will face off in the third-place playoff.