Jadran Herceg Novi held their ground at the top of the Regional League standings after a dramatic 13:12 home victory over Radnicki in the 20th-round derby. The win significantly strengthens Jadran’s bid to secure first place in the regular season and the right to host the Final Four. With only two matches left against Primorje and Solaris—both teams they are heavily favored to defeat—Jadran remains in control of their destiny.
A Hard-Fought Battle from Start to Finish
The match began cautiously, with both sides struggling to break through each other’s defenses. It took five minutes for the first goal to arrive, as Strahinja Rašović put Radnicki ahead. Jadran found their breakthrough only in the final minute of the first quarter when Serbian international Vuk Milojević capitalized on a two-player advantage to level the score at 1:1.
The second quarter provided a stark contrast, as both teams found their attacking rhythm. Jadran surged ahead, leading 5:3 midway through the period and maintaining a two-goal advantage at halftime (8:6). Radnicki fought back in the third quarter, keeping the contest tight. The visiting team finally managed to equalize early in the fourth quarter, as Duško Pijetlović netted to bring the score to 11:11.
Radnicki had multiple chances to take the lead but failed to convert. Their missed opportunities proved costly when Danilo Stupar ended a nearly five-minute goalless stretch, putting Jadran ahead at 12:11 with just over three minutes to play. Rašović quickly responded for Radnicki, leveling the score at 12:12. However, Jadran’s experienced leader Aleksandar Ivović delivered the decisive blow, scoring the winning goal for a 13:12 advantage.
Radnicki had one final opportunity to salvage a draw, but Vapenski’s shot struck the post with just 17 seconds remaining, securing Jadran’s vital win.
The match saw impressive individual displays, with Vuk Milojević and Dmitri Kholod (both Jadran) and Strahinja Rašović (Radnicki) each netting three goals.
2024/25 Regional League – Round 20 Results
Jadran HN – Radnicki 13:12 (1:1, 7:5, 3:4, 2:2)
Current Standings After Round 20
- Jadran HN – 51 pts
- Novi Beograd – 51 pts
- Jadran Split – 49 pts
- Radnicki – 46 pts
- Mladost – 38 pts
- Sabac – 28 pts
- Jug – 22 pts
- Primorac – 21 pts (one match in hand)
- Crvena Zvezda – 18 pts
- Primorje – 17 pts
- Solaris – 14 pts
- Valis Vega – 1 pt
With head-to-head results favoring Jadran HN over Novi Beograd (13:15, 13:9), the Montenegrin side remains in pole position for the top seed. Their final two fixtures will determine whether they can maintain their grip on first place and secure home advantage for the Final Four.