In postponed match of game day 14 of Alpe Adria league Branik had to go to Hungarian capital Budapest. To preserve chances for “Final six” Branik would have to do what no one did so far, beat Ujpest Torna in their swimming-pool Alfred Hajos on Margaret Island in the middle of Danube River in the hart of Hungarian capital city. They failed to do it, so ASV Wien and Triglav don’t need to worry any more for their final apperance.

Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – Branik (Slovenia) 21:6 (4:1, 7:1, 6:1, 4:3)
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 350, referees: B. Szekely and Dodog (both Hungary).
* UTE: Suti 5, B. Szabo 3, Z. Szabo 3, Salamon 2, Borsos 2, Somogyi 2, Debreczeni 1, Kotsidis 1, N. Szabo 1, Sziklai 1.
* Branik: Štuhec 3, Ul 3.

Game was also important for Hungarian team that is aiming on-to the top of the league table after regular season. Their way to the top would be opened anyway even they would lost today. But in front of loud home crowd they didn’t want to lose. It is their habit to press hard from the beginning and broke opponents D-fence as soon as possible. In Branik’s team there were Matjaž Ul and Uroš Štuhec who showed great performance so Branik kept up with UTE in first period. But in second and third Gabor Suti and colleagues filled up opponents net and decided the winner. On league table they climbed only one point behind league leader Opatija. Last period was more close again and Branik scored some goals for nicer defeat. 

Grega Košir

In game day 14 of international Alpe Adria league Branik beat Trieste at home and kept alive their dreams for "Final six" tournament. In second yesterday's game Uniqa UTE defeated Triglav and marching towards first place.


Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – Triglav (Slovenia) 20:6 (5:0, 8:1, 3:1, 4:4) 
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 400, referees: Fekete and Kun (both Hungary).
* UTE: Suti 3, Salamon 3, Borsos 3, Vörös 2, Olasz 2, Somogyi 2, N. Szabo 1, Debreczeni 1, Kotsidis 1, Mathe 1, Sziklai 1.
* Triglav: Anzeljc 2, Grašič 2, Murgič 1, Francelj 1. 

Game was more important for UTE that is still fighting for first place after regular season. Hungarian needs three wins to secure that position for sure. Triglav is going to face Olimpija in quarterfinal annyway, so for them game wasn't important that much. More motive for home team gave also full gallery. With this support UTE destroxed Triglav already in first "half". Outstanding is second period that was won for UTE by 8:1.


Branik (Slovenia) – Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 11:7 (3:2, 2:1, 2:2, 4:2)
Pristan swimming-pool in Maribor, spectators 50, referees: Rožman in Košir (both Slovenia).
* Branik: Šulič 5, Šmarčan 2, Štuhec 1, Suhadolnik 1, Ul 1, Mlakar 1.
* Trieste: Matijaševič 2, Planinšek 2, Giorgi 1, Liggeri 1, Pastore 1. 

On last game days Maribor is playing without some players. Despite of that they are still in position to fight for "Final six" ticket. For that they need to beat Ujpest Torna and Triglav on away games. Game with Trieste came perfect before cruical matches. Maribor also took revange for defeat in Trieste. This game started badly for Trieste. Best scorer of the league Aaron Giorgi scored after their first attack but injured his right thumb and had to stay on the bench for the rest of the game. Without him Trieste is completely diferent team. But they still fighted hard. Branik had to thank last years Best player of the legue Andrija Šulič.

Grega Košir

Koper finished regular season in front of their spectators with great success over league leader Opatija. Both teams secured “Final six” tournament long time ago. Second today’s game was much more important in fight for “Final six”. In Vienna home ASV and Olimpija played their last game of regular season. Defending champion Olimpija already secured ticket for Kranj, while ASV tries to escape Branik. ASV success is trouble for Branik. Team from Maribor must win in all three remaining games for “Final six” ticket. But it is almost “mission impossible” – they will face Trieste at home and go to visit UTE and Triglav.


Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – Opatija 1981 (Croatia) 12:9 (5:1, 1:3, 1:2, 5:3)
Žusterna swimming-pool in Koper, spectators 250, referees: Balderman and Homovec (both Slovenia).
* Koper: Berce 3, Volčič 2, Černeka 2, Kavčič 1, Potočnik 1, Pucer 1, Smolnik 1, Mertelj 1.
* Opatija: Gudič 3, Pupovac 2, Martinčič 2, Kancijanič 1, Matijašič 1.

“Sharks” ended their regular season on best possible way. They ended hard week, after games in Budapest and Trieste, with great success over league leader Opatija. “Sharks” built foundations for this success already in first period that they started hard and tough. They were leading 5:1 at first break. Later Opatija pushed harder and close down the gap. Before last period, there was only one goal advantage left for Koper. “Sharks” showed teeth again when last period begun. For their first three goals Opatija found answer and in the middle of last period board was showing result 10:9. But than Simon Berce scored two consecutive goals and sunk league leaders. Beside home crowd, also Hungarian UTE celebrated “Sharks” success. Now their way on the top after regular season is free. Kopers success is also important from psychological point of view. If there won’t be surprises on final tournament, Koper and Opatija will meet again in semi-final.


ASV Wien (Austria) – Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 9:7 (3:1, 1:3, 5:3, 0:0)
Swimming-pool in Vienner Stadthalle, spectators 350, referees: Pičulin (Slovenia) and Gumbsch (Austria).
* ASV: Rosič 3, Rukavina 2, Perkovič 2, Kajmak 2.
* Olimpija: Podvršček 3, Merlak 2, Šinkovec 2.

Game in Vienna was much more important for home team that was trying to catch last train to Kranj. Defending champion Olimpija secured their “Final six” appearance already before. This was also obvious in the water and on the spectator’s gallery that was almost full. Home team started hard and secured two goals advantage. In second period “Dragons” showed they still can throw fire. Especially Klemen Podvršček was in the mood today. They first tied the result and after second break they came into lead by 5:4. But that was all what they managed to do. Home team took initiative again. Serbian striker Andrija Rosič was unstoppable for Olimpija’s defense. With his goals ASV came back into lead and increased it on two goals. In last period when all expected hard fight for every ball, for every meter of the playfield, tempo of the game falls down extremely. Satisfied with accomplished, teams were just waiting for final whistle. This part of the game ended without any goals scored. Team from Vienna did its job. Now they will have to wait for Branik’s results. 

Grega Košir

This week is very busy for Koper. After yesterdays game in Hungary against Ujpest Torna they had to go to nearby Trieste today, where they lost a point against dangerous home team. On weekend they will face league leader Opatija, finished regular season and start to prepare for final tournament.


Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) – Rokava Koper (Slovenia) 10:10 (7:3, 1:2, 1:4, 1:1)
Bruno Bianchi swimming-pool in Trieste, spectators 150, referees: Piccoli (Italy) and Franulovič (Croatia).
* Trieste: Planinšek 3, Giorgi 2, Pastore 2, Brazzati 1, Ulesi 1, Maver 1.
* Koper: Berce 4, Smolnik 3, Černeka 2, Potočnik 1.

“Sharks”, tired from yesterday’s long trip from Budapest, started game against neighbors from Trieste badly. They received seven goals in first period and were four behind. Two of them scored last years first scorer of the league Aaron Giorgi who also came back on the top of scorers list. As game proceeded, “Sharks” played better and better. Before last break they managed to tie the result. Best player in Trieste team in this game was Slovene Peter Planinšek, who brought Trieste back in the lead with his third goal of the evening. But it didn’t last long. Even keener was Simon Berce who netted his fourth goal for 10:10 four and half minutes before last whistle. When result was tied again Koper’s center-forward Tugo Volčič was excluded with substitution. Also his team mate Sandi Mertelj had to go out for twenty seconds. But no of the advantages were used by home team. On the other side Aaron Giorgi and Francesco Irredento had to go on a short brake but also Koper wasn’t efficient in man up position. They blow away their last chance when last minute begun, and teams shared points 

Grega Košir

In Alpe Adria league regular season is about to finish. Highest number of games still to play has UTE. Today they catch up game against Koper. Obviously “Sharks” are going to take third position, while UTE is still in fight for number one. And they mean this seriously.


Uniqa UTE (Hungary) – Rokava Koper (Slovenia) 14:5 (5:1, 5:1, 2:1, 2:2)
Alfred Hajos swimming-pool in Budapest, spectators 350, referees: At. Nemeth and An. Nemeth (both Hungary).
* UTE: Suti 3, Salamon 3, Borsos 2, B. Szabo 2, Olasz 1, Kotsidis 1, Somogyi 1, Mathe 1.
* Koper: Berce 2, Potočnik 1, Smolnik 1, Mertelj 1.

Ujpest Torna players prepared well for this game. They still had in their minds hard and strong game from Žusterna. They intend to take initiative immediately and break Koper’s resistance as soon as possible. They succeed with that and were leading by eight goals at “halftime”. In second half of the game Koper was almost equal but unable to close the gap. 

Grega Košir

Teams in Alpe Adria league finished another three games og game day 13. Most interesting was Slovenian derby between Olimpija and Triglav. In Ljubljana “Dragons” beat their opponents. Austrian teams suffered defeats. ASV lost in Rijeka against league leader Opatija, while Tirol lost at home against Branik.


Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) – Triglav (Slovenia) 11:6 (3:2, 1:2, 2:1, 5:1)
Kodeljevo swimming-pool in Ljubljana, spectators 150, referees: Rožman and Laginja (both Slovenia).
* Olimpija: Verač 3, Podvršček 2, Puš 2, Gotovac 1, Sušanj 1, Grabnar 1, Ju. Škof 1.
* Triglav: Todič 3, Anzeljc 2, A. Kalan 1.

As closer “Final six” tournament is coming than better Olimpija plays. It was similar last year where they came on second place at last game days, beat all competition on Final tournament and celebrated first Alpe Adria trophy ever. We will see if they can do it again. But one thing is sure, they overcame crisis from December and January. With this success they made large step towards final tournament. But their way to win was hard. After scoring festival in opening period scorers later calm down. But neither team managed to get bigger advantage. Decisive last period started with minimal lead for Olimpija. “Dragons” also managed so score some consecutive goals. Five minutes before end of the game when Olimpija was leading 8:5 Jure Škof from home team and Čedomir Todič from Triglav get into fight. Some other players from the bench also jumped into water. Original fighters were excluded for brutality, while the others Jaka Škof, Karlo Grabnar and Arsen Sušanj from Olimpija and Rok Resnik from Triglav were excluded with substitution. When situation calmed down, game continued with penalties on both sides. Klemen Podvršček for Olimpija scored, while Janez Grašič for Triglav missed the target. Olimpija after this situation expand their lead and secured full set of points.


Opatija 1981 (Croatia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 10:7 (2:1, 3:3, 3:2, 2:1)
Kantrida swimming-pool in Rijeka, spectators 250, referees: Franulovič and Blažič (both Croatia).
* Opatija: Turina 3, Sabljič 2, Kancijanič 2, Frančiškovič 1, Martinčič 1, Matijašič 1.
* ASV: Draganič 3, Rukavina 1, Papič 1, Perkovič 1, Rosič 1.

Game in Rijeka was much more important for guests from Vienna, that still fights for “Final six” tournament ticket. With some points they would be out of worries, but in this case they will still have to watch Branik results – Branik has more games and better schedule but less points. ASV shoved themselves as solid team and keep up with league leader Opatija for the whole game. But Croatians were not prepared to loose in front of their supporters and get involved in fight for sixth place. They played hard until end of the game, enforced their advantages, had Krešimir Turina and won the game. But there was also some excitement that Goran Sabljič couldn’t keep up with. His nerves broke and he was excluded with substitution.


WBC Tirol (Austria) – Branik (Slovenia) 13:15 (2:3, 4:3, 3:6, 4:3)
University swimming-pool in Innsbruck, spectators 50, referees: Košir in Radonjič (both Slovenia).
* WBC: Hornak 4, Gratzl 3, Janov 2, Böhme 2, J. Hengl 1, B. Hengl 1.
* Branik: Šulič 7, M. Pevec 3, Štuhec 2, Ul 2, Suhadolnik 1.

Tyrolean players saw their last chance to win some points in duel with Branik, that is in deep crisis. But beginning of the game didn’t show that. Branik quickly scored some goals and lead for three. But small pool of Innsbruck University showed teeth again. After rain of goals in second and third period WBC come into lead with 9:8. But Branik found answer, in first place seven times scorer Andrija Šulič, was most responsible for six consecutive goals in home net. Before the end home team came close again but they ran out of time for equalizing. 

Grega Košir

Teams in Alpe Adria League played remaining games of twelfth game day. Derby was in Maribor where Branik faced Olimpija in fight for “Final six” tournament ticket and lost. Interesting game was also in Vienna where home ASV faced Triglav. Tie in this game was most unpleasant for Branik. Koper won points on away game against Tirol.


Branik (Slovenia) – Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 4:10 (1:2, 0:3, 1:2, 2:3)
Pristan swimming-pool in Maribor, spectators 200, referees: Rožman (Slovenia) and Gumbsch (Austria).
* Branik: Štuhec 2, Ul 2.
* Olimpija: Podvršček 2, Puš 2, Kecman 1, Merlak 1, Sušanj 1, Šinkovec 1, Ja. Škof 1, Ju. Škof 1.

Game was decisive for home Branik that hoped for success in front of home crowd. Win over Olimpija would bring them new hope for final tournament. But aim was obviously too high. “Dragons” took initiative from start of the game and convert it in result advantage that they keep until end. Branik paid the price for having only two players that find the way for the ball to the opponents net. Matjaž Ul and Uroš Štuhec were not enough for success over Olimpija.


ASV Wien (Austria) – Triglav (Slovenia) 12:12 (3:1, 4:8, 3:2, 2:1)
Wienner Stadthalle, spectators 250, referees: Balderman and Carič (both Slovenia).
* ASV: Rukavina 4, Draganič 3, L. Stejskal 2, Kaimak 1, Korolev 1, Rosič 1.
* Triglav: A. Kalan 2, Murgič 2, Pogačnik 2, Šenica 2, Todič 2, Komatar 1, Resnik 1.

Most interesting game saw spectators in City sport-hall in Vienna. In fight for “Final six” tournament both teams greet Branik defeat. Triglav was more or less in the finals even before the game. So, one point from the game made happy mostly Vienna players, that were even closer to full set of points. Home team was also first to came in the lead. But in second period they suffered heavy “cannonade”. Young team from Kranj put eight “cannonballs” in their net and came into lead. In third period ASV managed to equalize again and at the beginning of last they were back into lead. Only thirty-three (33) seconds before the end Jure Pogačnik set the ball in the net for 12:12. But this was not the last excitement. In last attack ASV got chance to win, but Triglav’s D-fence denied their effort.


WBC Tirol (Austria) – Rokava Koper (Slovenia) 10:19 (1:4, 5:6, 1:6, 3:3)
University swimming-pool in Innsbruck, spectators 100, referee: Košir and Radonjič (both Slovenia).
* WBC: Gratzl 3, Hornak 2, Böhme 2, B. Hengl 1, Janov 1, Niklanovič 1.
* Koper: Volčič 4, Kavčič 3, Berce 3, Pucer 2, Smolnik 2, Mertelj 2, Potočnik 1, Benčič 1, Černeka 1.

Game didn’t decide about any thing. Koper is already qualified for “Final six” tournament, while Tirol is hammered on the bottom of league table. WBC still hopes for some point to winn. But also Koper didn’t want to let points go away in struggle for better position at “Final six”. It was also obvious in the water, “Sharks” showed much more desire for success. They took initiative since beginning, came in to lead and decide the winner in third period. Despite of that they lost nerves on some occasions and Simon Berce earned exclusion with substitution. 

Grega Košir

It is exactly one moth before end of this year’s Alpe Adria international water-polo league. “Final six” tournament will take place from 7th to 9th of March. League office decided that Olympic pool in Kranj will host second final tournament in league history.
Before start of this year’s edition of Alpe Adria league, Pristan swimming-pool in Maribor was favorite for organize final tournament once again. Perfect organization and geographic position were main arguments for that. But quick look on league table shows that last year finalist Branik is in big troubles. League office decided to declare Kranj as a “Final six” host.
For second Alpe Adria league title will on final tournament play best six teams. First and second after regular season will be directly in semi-final, while other four will have to play quarter final matches. Croatian Opatija 1981, Hungarian Uniqa UTE and Slovenian Rokava Koper and Triglav already secured their final six positions. In last games will Slovenian Slovan Olimpija and Branik and Austrian ASV Wien fight for last two tickets for Kranj.

Grega Košir

Two Alpe Adria games were on the schedule today. Hungarian Ujpest Torna played in Kranj and beat home Triglav after rain of goals. Bruno Bianchi pool in Trieste saw biggest surprise of the season, home team draw with league leader Opatija. Game day twelve will finished on Saturday, while tomorrow and on Sunday there will be matches of game day 13.


Triglav (Slovenia) – Uniqa UTE (Hungary) 10:14 (5:6, 1:2, 1:4, 3:2)
Olympic swimming pool in Kranj, spectators 150, referees: Rožman and Pičulin (both Slovenia).
* Triglav: Grašič 2, Todič 2, Resnik 1, Pogačnik 1, Vehovec 1, A. Kalan 1.
* UTE: Suti 4, Somogyi 3, B. Szabo 2, Mathe 2, Borsos 1, N. Szabo 1, Kotsidis 1.

Olympic pool in Kranj expected interesting game of two young teams. Both of them grow fast water-polo with lots of swimming and quick contra-attacks. Both of them are also among most efficient teams in the league. And young players totally proved all expectations. Already in first period there were plenty of goals on both sides. Initiative was on Hungarian side but Triglav equalized four times. In second quarter UTE, they played sharp in defense so they were also excluded many times, expands their lead and in third they decided the winner. Last period belonged to Triglav but it was too late for equalizing or change in the lead.


Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) – Opatija 1981 (Croatia) 8:8 (1:5, 4:2, 2:0, 1:1)
Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Trieste, spectators 150, referees: Laginja (Slovenia) and Piccoli (Italy).
* Trieste: Irredento 2, Maver 2, Planinšek 2, Polo 1, Brazzati 1.
* Opatija: Pupovac 3, Kancijanič 2, Frančiškovič 1, Turina 1, Martinčič 1.

In Trieste pool Bruno Bianchi spectators saw biggest surprise of this season. Home team of Trieste managed to tie with league leader Opatija. Surprise is even bigger when we know that it was 5:1 for Opatija after first period of the game. In second period Trieste cut the setback on half and denied it in third. Last period started with goal by Andrea Brazzati and Trieste was in the lead for the first time. After next attack and goal by Danijel Kancijanič result was tied again. Last six minutes vanished without scoring, but both teams had chances to score winner. Best chance blow away Opatija that even played with two men up for some time but failed to score.
It is also interesting that scoring leaders of the league didn’t score this time. Gabrijel Strižič isn’t member of Opatija anny more, because he left for Italy’s second division. On the other side home star Aaron Giorgi was completely stopped by Opatija’s defenders. Despite lost points Opatija remains on the top of the league. Trieste get close only one point behind Branik. But their chances for “Final six” are now only theoretical. 

Grega Košir