Game day seven of international Alpe Adria water-polo league is one of those that are stretched over couple days. On Wednesday Trieste beat Branik. Today Slovenian teams beat Austrian opponents, Olimpija at home ASV Wien and Triglav on away game WBC Tirol. Tomorrow actual leader Opatija 1981 and Koper will play for the top of the table. In the morning Koper will host duel between Trieste and Wien and winner will keep chances for “Final six” tournament.


Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 10:6 (2:1, 0:1, 4:2, 4:2)
Kodeljevo swimming pool in Ljubljana, spectators 300, referees: Margeta and Radonjič (both Slovenia).
* S. Olimpija: Gotovac 2, Šinkovec 2, Verač 2, Kecman 1, Ja. Škof 1, Ju. Škof 1, Puš 1.
* ASV Wien: Draganič 1, Rosič 1, Ivičevič 1, Schaffhauser 1, Grabič 1.

Obviously “Dragons” needed New Years holydays. After crisis at the end of year 2007 they used break for rest and preparation for next part of the season. This time they played gainst one of the crucial opponents for “Final six” tournament. But ASV Wien obviously isn’t the same as last season, when they finished third. Olimpija prepared good for the game and almost completely stopped Marko Draganič. With that they did almost all work needed. But still result was tied at half time. When “Dragons” started to score, they also come into lead that was expanded from minute to minute. Guests tried hard but without sound Marko Draganič they are not team for wining.


WBC Tirol (Austria) – Triglav (Slovenia) 15:24 (5:7, 3:6, 0:6, 7:5)
University swimming pool in Innsbruck, spectators 50, referees: Pičulin and Stariha (both Slovenia).
* WBC Tirol: B. Hengl 6, Böhme 4, Gratzl 2, Burtscher 1, Koroknai 1, Wyklicky 1.
* Triglav: Anzeljc 4, Todič 4, Resnik 3, Grašič 3, Šenica 3, Murgič 2, G. Kalan 2, Komatar 2, Pogačnik 1.

Game in Innsbruck was much like others in University pool. Also this time smaller play field was reason for many goals scored. Young team from Kranj didn’t need long time to get used to different style of play. Even more, they obviously liked it. That’s why they filled home net much faster than Tirol scored on the other side. Much before the end of the game Triglav confirm candidacy for “Final six” tournament and also improved its goal difference. 

Grega Košir

Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Trieste was venue also for the second match of Alpe Adria league in year 2008. On the way to unknown had to go team of Branik. Trieste showed row of good games, but at the end they tightly lost all of them. This was one of their last chances to escape from the bottom and get involved in fight for sixth place and final tournament. Game was also important for Branik that was looking for points to catch Ujpest Torna and Koper on second place.


Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) – Branik (Slovenia) 11:9 (4:2, 2:1, 2:4, 3:2)
Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Trieste, spectators 100, referees: Laginja (Slovenia) and Piccoli (Italy).
* P. Trieste: Giorgi 4, Brazzati 4, Vampa 2, Pastore 1.
* Branik: Štuhec 4, Šmarčan 2, Šulič 1, Suhadolnik 1, Ul 1.

What they were announcing in last rounds, they achieved this time. Trieste finally crowned their good games with points. Waken up Aaron Giorgi, best scorer of last year’s league, and Andrea Brazzati, second placed scorer of this year’s league, were crucial man of the game. They scored four goals each. Home team was in control of the game since beginning. At first brake they had two goals advantage and they expand it in second period. In third Branik realized they were in big troubles. But scorer of four goals Uroš Štuhec was the only one that was able to do something. In last eight minutes home team just confirm unexpected but deserved success. 

Grega Košir

In Trieste home team and Ujpest Torna played first game of Alpe Adria international water polo league in year 2008. Same teams in December in Budapest ended year 2007 with the last game. Hungarian team won also this game and climbed on second position on the league table again. Team from Trieste show another great performance but they were again little to short.


Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) – Uniqa UTE (Hungary) 7:10 (0:3, 2:3, 3:2, 2:2)
Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Trieste, spectators 100, referees: Piccoli (Italy) and Laginja (Slovenia).
* P. Trieste: Giorgi 2, Planinšek 2, Brazzati 1, Pastore 1, Vampa 1.
* UTE: Debreceni 3, Suti 2, Somogyi 1, Sziklai 1, Rekasi 1, B. Szabo 1, Mathe 1.

Already in the first game of these opponents in Budapest Trieste center forward Aaron Giorgi woke up. He continued with good games. Joined together with Peter Planinšek they forced UTE to work hard for expected points. Uniqa made great step towards final success in first period that was won by 3:0. In second home team started to score goals but Hungarians anyway expand lead. Third period was won by Trieste and new hope for them came along. Despite trying hard in last eight minutes, they failed to equalize the result. This was because of three times scorer Balazs Debreceni. 

Grega Košir

In Budapest home Ujpest Torna and guests from Trieste played last game of Alpe Adria international water polo league in year 2007. It was known before that Opatija 1981, former Kvarner, will await New Year 2008 on first place. First runner up is going to be Rokava Koper while third place is in the hands of UTE and Branik.


Uniqa UTE (Hugary) – Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 17:7 (5:4, 5:1, 3:1, 4:1)
Alfred Hajos swimming pool in Budapest, spectators 250, referees: Džalo and Stariha (both Slovenia).
* UTE: B. Szabo 3, Mathe 3, Borsos 2, Olasz 2, Kotsidis 2, Somogyi 2, Suti 1, N. Szabo 1, Debreceni 1.
* P. Trst: Giorgi 3, Giacomini 2, Brazzati 1, Planinšek 1.

December shopping in Budapest is, because of the prices in Hungarian capital, no longer anything special. There is also no special offer of points in famous Alfred Hajos swimming pool in Margaret Island in Danube River between Buda and Pest. For something like that hoped players from Trieste, to get some special discount. They still are trying to surprise one of better ranked opponents. In Budapest they hoped only one period. Than Balasz Somogyi and colleagues stepped on gas and soon secured decisive advantage. For Trieste was no help, not even the fact that center-forward Aaron Giorgi finally waked up. 

Grega Košir

Koper and Branik had to decide in their direct duel who will be first runner up to Kvarner as we enter year 2008. Teams played their last game in the cup finals last month, when in Žusterna pool home team gain total success. But after this final Erik Bukovac left team of Koper, while on the other side Branik won all games after that.


Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – Branik (Slovenia) 14:9 (3:2, 2:1, 4:2, 5:4)
Žusterna swimming pool in Koper, spectators 250, referees: Margeta and Balderman (both Slovenia).
* R. Koper: Smolnik 4, Kavčič 2, Černeka 2, Crnica 2, Potočnik 1, Pucer 1, Volčič 1.
* Branik: Ul 3, Šulič 2, Štuhec 2, Rajšp 1, Jokič 1.

Best Slovenian teams at this moment in the league showed what home crowd expected – hard fight for any ball and success for home team. But “Sharks” had to work all game for those points. They failed to stop Branik’s center forward Matjaž Ul, who scored three goals. They also just partially stopped double scorers Andrija Šulič and Uroš Štuhec. But despite of that they were in lead most time of the game. This was reward for their fighting performance. And of course, once again Uroš Smolnik played excellent. After Erik Bukovac left the team, Smolnik took important role in attack as well. Today he scored four goals for the second time in a row. Importance of the game was obvious also in head coaches’ behavior; both of them got yellow cards. 

Grega Košir

Only three games separate teams in Alpe Adria League to go to New Year holydays. Kvarner will start year 2008 as league leader, while Koper and Branik will decide who is going to be first runner up. Team from Opatija luckily won points in duel against ASV. Triglav surprised Olimpija and made league very interesting. Trieste was just little too short again. Branik didn’t allow any surprise and won against Tirol.


Triglav (Slovenia) – Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 11:8 (3:2, 2:1, 4:1, 2:4)
Olympic swimming pool in Kranj, spectators 250, referees: Margeta and Pičulin (both Slovenia).
* Triglav: Todič 3, Anzeljc 2, A. Kalan 1, Grašič 1, Vehovec 1, Pogačnik 1, Šenica 1, Resnik 1.
* S. Olimpija: Sušanj 3, Puš 2, Merlak 1, Šinkovec 1, Ju. Škof 1.

Olimpija can’t wait for holydays to start. They are in bad crisis. Yesterday Branik knocked them out, today Triglav just step over. Home team attacked “Dragons” from the start of the game. They want to break down Olimpija’s resistance with quick and lots of swimming. In team from Ljubljana only newcomer Arsen Sušanj kept up with Triglav. But also he ran out of breath in third period. Home team also stopped Andraž Verač and used quick contra-attacks to fill up guests’ goal. At the end of third period Rok Resnic scored after contra-attack together with siren and set the result to 9:4. In last quarter Olimpija pressed for the last time. With three consecutive goals they came on 7:9. Anže Kalan and Čedomir Todič stopped them and scored for safe four goals difference. Sušanj managed to score again, but it was to late to turn the result over.


Branik (Slovenia) – WBC Tirol (Austria) 17:10 (5:1, 2:3, 3:3, 7:3)
Pristan swimming pool in Maribor, spectators 150, referees: Radonjič and Robnik (both Slovenia).
* Branik: Štuhec 5, Kager 3, Ul 3, Jokič 2, A. Pevec 1, Šmarčan 1, M. Pevec 1, Šulič 1.
* WBC Tirol: Böhme 3, Hornak 2, Janov 2, B. Hengl 1, Gratzl 1, Niklanovič 1.

Branik did it’s homework without any problems. Resistance of guests from Tirol was broken already in first period. Final punch was made in last. Home coach Robert Grubišič – Čabo gave a lot of opportunity to the young players. Despite of that, first scorer of the game was experienced Uroš Štuhec with five goals.


Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 9:7 (2:2, 2:2, 2:2, 3:1)
Žusterna swimming pool in Koper, spectators 150, referees: Piccoli (Italy) and Laginja (Slovenia).
* R. Koper: Smolnik 4, Berce 1, Mertelj 1, Černeka 1, Volčič 1, Kavčič 1.
* P. Trieste: Brazzati 3, Vampa 2, Pastore 1, Giacomini 1.

After yesterday’s high success over Tirol, Koper expected another easy game. But Trieste is not naive team. Especially Andrea Brazzati plays in excellent shape. So Koper had to work hard all the way to the end of the game. Uroš Smolnik crowned his excellent performance with four goals and was most valuable player of the game. Mostly because of him all points stayed at home.


ASV Wien (Austria) – Kvarner (Croatia) 7:8 (2:2, 2:2, 0:1, 3:3)
BSZ Südstadt in Vienna, spectators 50, referees: Gumbsch (Austria) and Rožman (Slovenia).
* ASV Wien: Ivičevič 2, Kaimak 2, Jajčinovič 2, Gojič 1.
* Kvarner: Strižič 3, Pupovac 3, Kancijanič 1, Martinčič 1.

League leader Kvarner expected full set of points from trip to Austrian capital. But the way to get it was much harder as they expected. Kvarner players knew that they need to stop Marko Draganič, and they did it. On the other side Gabrijel Strižič settled on the top of scorers table. With three goals Dejan Pupovac joined him this time. But home team kept contact all the way to the last period. It was begun with one goal advantage for Kvarner. Soon Kvarner escaped on three goals advantage and game seemed decided. But ASV found strengths to catch up with Kvarner again and 45 seconds before the end they scored and came only one goal behind. Kvarner failed to score in their last attack. On the other side Wien had contra-attack with two against one but they missed what was impossible to miss. 

Grega Košir

Teams in Alpe Adria are facing double shift before New Year holydays. After today’s fifth, they will play tomorrow sixth game day. There will be enough action, especially because there are only three points between second and seventh place. In center of interest in this game day was Slovenian derby between Olimpija and Branik. Branik won in Ljubljana and beat Olimpija for the second time this season. Also Triglav won for the second time in the season, they beat ASV Wien at home. Easy and expected wins gained league leader Kvarner against Trieste and Koper against Tirol.


Triglav (Slovenia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 13:8 (4:3, 2:2, 3:0, 4:3)
Olympic swimming pool in Kranj, spectators 150, referees: Homovec and Stariha (both Slovenia).
* Triglav: Pogačnik 4, A. Kalan 3, Grašič 2, Todič 2, Resnik 1, G. Kalan 1.
* ASV Wien: Draganič 6, Jajčinovič 1, Rosič 1.

According to results of this year, ASV came in Kranj as favorite team. But young home team felt, that this is their chance to make step forward. Only total success was still keeping them in the fight for final six positions. In first half of the game both teams were bombing opponents’ goal. There was scoring duel between the team of Triglav on one side and Marko Draganič on the other. Both defenses, together with goalkeepers, were poor. That is why spectators saw scoring festival in first “half”. Despite of six goals scored by Croat in ASV cap Triglav lead at second break by one goal. After five minutes break ASV game totally fall apart. For quarter and a half they couldn’t score. Triglav used that for escaping on five goals lead that ASV couldn’t catch up any more.


Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) – Branik (Slovenia) 8:9 (3:3, 2:1, 1:3, 2:2)
Kodeljevo swimming pool in Ljubljana, spectators 200, referees: Margeta and Rožman (both Slovenia).
* S. Olimpija: Verač 5, Gotovac 1, Sušanj 1, Ju. Škof 1.
* Branik: Šulič 2, Šmarčan 2, Štuhec 2, Ul 2, Jokič 1.

“Dragons” obviously suffer crisis of results. After nice performance and tight lost in Budapest, they gain minimal win over league leader Kvarner, but than only by one goal lost in Koper and now against Branik in Ljubljana. Also on the league table they sloped from the top and are one of the most defeated team in the league with three losses. Success of Branik would be surprise if there wouldn’t be cup semi-final and another Branik success over Olimpija. After equal first period, Olimpija took advantage in second. Andraž Verač was man of the match in those minutes. But in third quarter Branik filed in request for full success. They come into lead before last break. After that Andraž Verač equalized with his fifth goal. This goal was followed by goal from Uroš Štuhec, Maribor born player that used to play for Olimpija. Jure Škof managed to tie the result once again. Than last minute begin. And it begin with goal by Maribors’ center forward Matjaž Ul. On the other side Olimpija enforced man up position but failed to score. Not only that they failed to score, they even couldn’t shoot because they lost the ball.

Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – WBC Tirol (Austria) 17:8 (5:2, 5:2, 4:2, 2:2)
Žusterna swimming pool in Koper, spectators 100, referees: Laginja and Carič (both Slovenia).
* R. Koper: Berce 4, Mertelj 4, Crnica 3, Volčič 2, Kavčič 1, Basiaco 1, Smolnik 1, Černeka 1.
* WBC Tirol: Niklanovič 4, Hornak 1, Böhme 1, B. Hengl 1, Gratzl 1.

Draw was very friendly for Koper, because they will play against teams from the bottom of the table at double shift this weekend. First guest on Slovenian coast was WBC Tirol. Tomorrow Žusterna will host neighbors from Trieste. First part of task Koper successfully passed. Their success against last placed team wasn’t threatened at any moment. Decesive advantage was gained in second period. Simon Berce and Sandi Mertelj with four and Rok Crnica with three goals secured more minutes for their substitutes.


Kvarner (Croatia) – Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 7:4 (3:0, 2:1, 1:0, 1:2)
Kantrida swimming pool in Rijeka, spectators 150, referees: Ban and Blažič (both Croatia).
* Kvarner: Strižič 3, Turina 2, Pupovac 1, Kancijanič 1.
* P. Trst: Colino 2, Brazzati 1, Planinšek 1.

League leader Kvarner was host to Pallanuoto Trieste. Italian team desperately looks for way to escape from the bottom. They showed some solid games but they normally lose with small difference. This time they prepared hard times for table leader Kvarner. It is true that Kvarner was leading 3:0 after first period. But difference was not rising after that any more. Their scorers, except scoring leader Gabrijel Strižič, weren’t on their level. That is why they had to play solid defense that was commanded by experienced Danijel Liber. They also stopped best Trieste scorers Andrea Brazzati and Aaron Giorgi.

Grega Košir

Hungarian Uniqa UTE spent this week on Adriatic coast. After yesterday’s success in Koper, they had to go to Rijeka to play against Kvarner. Game was to decide league leader. Surprisingly but deservedly home team won and changed places with UTE. After this game there are no more unbeaten teams in the league. Kvarner attacker Gabrijel Strižič, he scored 19 goals in five games, took first place on goal scorers table.

Kvarner (Croatia) – Uniqa UTE (Hungary) 17:11 (3:2, 6:3, 2:2, 6:4)
Kantrida swimming pool in Rijeka, spectators 250, referees: Ban and Blažič (both Croatia).
* Kvarner: Kancijanič 7, Strižič 3, Frančiškovič 2, Martinčič 2, Pupovac 1, Turina 1, Matijašič 1.
* Uniqa UTE: Somogyi 6, Suti 1, Kotsidis 1, Salamon 1, B. Szabo 1, Mathe 1.

After three visits to Slovenia and one in Austria, Kvarner finally played at home. Opponent was leading team of the league Uniqa UTE. Hungarian team yesterday beat Koper and was favorites also this time. Kvarner didn’t agree with that. In front of loud home public they made pressure since beginning and gain minimal lead after first period. Danijel Kancijanič, he scored seven times, was responsible for escaping on four goals lead in second period. After long break Hungarians pressed again. They desperately wanted to change the result. Balazs Somogyi started with scoring festival, he scored six times, but he was alone in his attempts. For changing the result, UTE’s defense was not solid enough and was also beaten three times by Gabrijel Strižič, leading scorer of the league. Also home D-fence was full of holes but Kvarner was more accurate in attack. Following that scenario was too much also for Hungarian coach Matyas Petrovics. He lost his temper, saw red card and hat to leave the bench. 

Grega Košir

After champion Olimpija was vice champion Koper another Slovenian team to face Hungarian Uniqa UTE. But “Dragons” had to go to Budapest while “Sharks” played at home. Six placed team from Hungarian championships proved their strength also at their first visit to Slovenia and already climbed on the top of the league. Tomorrow they will continue their trip along Adriatic coast and will faced Kvarner in Kantrida pool in Rijeka.

Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – Uniqa UTE (Hungary) 9:15 (4:4, 1:4, 2:3, 2:4)
Žusterna swimming pool in Koper, spectators 200, referees: Ban and Blažič (both Croatia).
* Rokava Koper: Berce 4, Smolnik 3, Kavčič 1, Mertelj 1.
* Uniqa UTE: Somogyi 3, Suti 2, Z. Szabo 2, Salamon 2, B. Szabo 2, Mathe 2, Borsos 1, Debreceni 1.

Derby with first ever Hungarian team in Alpe Adria waterpolo league attached big crowd to the gallery in Žusterna swimming pool. Question they were asking to themselves was, is home team capable to win some points in duel with famous Hungarian side. After first period optimism among home players had rose. But in second quarter Hungarian team showed why they came on Slovenian coast. In few minutes they broke Kopers dreams and secured full catch. Despite of that game continue to be very tough and rough all the way to its end. Neither team wants to loosen. Only thing that was lost were nerves. There was also some frazzling in the water, but common sense won at last and game ended in sports manner 

Grega Košir

From three Alpe Adria games this weekend derby between Branik and Triglav interested Slovenian waterpolo fans most. Duel of two from four leading Slovenian teams that was not seen yet this season. Basic question was, will after Olimpija and Koper also Branik sink renewed team from Kranj. At the end Branik won and jumped on fifth place. On the other hand Triglav fall out from final six the places.


Branik (Slovenia) – Triglav (Slovenia) 9:6 (3:1, 3:3, 2:2, 1:0)
Pristan swimming pool in Maribor, spectators 150, referees: Stariha and Robnik (both Slovenia).
* Branik: Šmarčan 2, Ul 2, Jokič 2, Šulič 1, Štuhec 1, Rajšp 1.
* Triglav: Grašič 2, Anzeljc 1, A. Kalan 1, Vehovec 1, Komatar 1.

It was probably first time ever that Triglav came in Maribor as “underdog”. They had no problems to leave the role of favorite to the home team. They hoped to surprise self-confident Branik players. Game started as home crowd just wished. Two goals advantage, which was gained in first minutes, was also successfully defended by Branik players. Mostly because of accurate attack. Scorers of both teams were in good mood, less both goalkeepers. In last quarter home team managed to calm down the rhythm, set concrete D-fence and at the end also to higher advantage. So, all points deservedly stayed at home in Maribor. 

Grega Košir