Game day 4 of the league is one of the longest in this season. It started with games Koper vs. Olimpija and Kvarner vs. Triglav during last week. Yesterday there was double program in Austria, ASV played with Trieste and Tirol against Kvarner. Game day will continue today with Slovenian derby Branik vs. Triglav. It will end with away games for UTE on Tuesday in Koper and Wednesday in Rijeka against Kvarner.


WBC Tirol (Austria) – Kvarner (Croatia) 18:22 (3:4, 4:6, 4:7, 7:5)
Univerzitethallenbad in Innsbruck, Spectators 100, referees: Košir and Balderman (both Slovenia).
* WBC Tirol: Waizer 5, Niklanovič 4, Böhme 3, B. Hengel 2, Röhle 2, Müller 1, Gratzl 1.
* Kvarner: Strižič 8, Pupovac 5, Turina 3, Kancijanič 2, Matijašič 2, Samac 1, Sušanj 1.

After three consecutive games in Slovenia, this time Kvarner had to go to Austria. They went to unknown small pool at Innsbruck University. Last placed team of the league Tirol is dangerous opponent in their pool. Tyrolean players are used to play in small field and rumble all the time. There are also always plenty of goals on the games in Innsbruck. This game was no exception. Before guests from Opatija got used to the conditions, teams changed in the lead couple of times. At the end of the second and in third period Kvarner took everything in its hands. Game was decided before last period. But since 22:15 in last period, Kvarner stopped attacking opponent’s goal. There was also some hot blood in the pool just before the end but the winner was known for the long time already.


ASV Wien (Austria) – Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 8:5 (3:1, 3:0, 0:2, 2:2)
BSZ Südstadt in Vienna, spectators 50, referees: Gumbsch (Austria) and Radonjič (Slovenia).
* ASV Wien: Jajčinovič 2, Kaimak 2, Draganič 2, Ivičevič 1, Rosič 1.
* Pallanuoto Trieste: Brazzati 2, Giorgi 2, Pastore 1.

In last season ASV and Trieste fight for last spot in final-four tournament. ASV was better in direct duels as well in games against other opponents. It is similar this season. ASV is all the time on final six places while Trieste couldn’t escape from place eight on the table. It is obvious that ASV has some newcomers in the team. But Goran Jajčinovič already proved that he is true reinforcement for the team. Together with Marko Draganič he is one of the scoring leaders of the league. Those two were responsible that also this time game was decided long before the end. Decisive advantage was gained in second period. Trieste managed to come close in third, but they couldn’t threaten success of home ASV. 

Grega Košir

Game day four of Alpe Adria league started in Koper and Kranj. In Derby game "Sharks" from Koper defeated league leaders, "Dragons" from Ljubljana. Together with Kvarner, that won in Kranj, Koper joined group of the teams with six points. This game day will continue with three games at weekend and two away games for Hungarian UTE on Tueseday and Wednesday.

Triglav (Slovenia) – Kvarner (Croatia) 9:12 (2:4, 2:2, 2:2, 3:4)

Olympic pool in Kranju, spectators 50, referees: Pičulin and Laginja (both Slovenia).
* Triglav: Vehovec 3, Murgič 1, Resnik 1, G. Kalan 1, Todič 1, Šenica 1, Komatar 1.
* Kvarner: Strižič 3, Pupovac 3, Kancijanič 2, Turina 2, Martinčič 1, Matijašič 1. 

Team from Opatija visited Slovenia for the third time in a row, and gained their second win. Game was extremly important for catching final six spot. More important for home team of course, because next game of those two rivals will be in Rijeka. Start of the game was more in the hands of home team, but severe unefficiency was their problem. If they scored from only half of their best chances, they would be leading at first break. In this case was reverse, two goals advantage was in hands of Kvarner. Second and third period vanished in equal performance. Triglav tried to catch the gap, Kvarner fight for expand it. But noone succeed. Team from Kranj was still uneficient, also because of excellent performance by Opatija's goalkeeper Danijel Liber. In last quarter all expected total attack from home team. Kvarner maneged, not only to reject it, but also to expand the lead. Price was higher number of exclusions, but solid deffence and Danijel Liber were enought to stop efforts from home team. On the other side Gabrijel Strižič and Dejan Pupovac scored without anny remorse and decided the winner.


Rokava Koper (Slovenia) – Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 8:7 (3:1, 2:3, 0:1, 3:2)
Žusterna swimming pool in Koper, spectators 100, referees: Brala and Blažič (both Croatia).
* R. Koper: Berce 3, Černeka 2, Potočnik 1, Crnica 1, Volčič 1.
* S. Olimpija: Kecman 2, Verač 2, Sušanj 1, Ja. Škof 1, Ju. Škof 1. 

Just before Derby with league leader Olimpija, team of Koper lost one of their best attackers. National team player Erik Bukovac got offer from Italy that he couldn't refuse and he already left Koper. Also without their best scorer "Sharks" show their teeth and won first period with two goals adcantage. "Dragons" didn't wait long and equalized the result before last break. First to score in last period was Koper's center forward Tugo Volčič. Jaka Škof scored equalizer. With his second goal of the evening Andraž Verač took "Dragons" into new lead. But it didn't last long. Simon Berce scored his third goal to tie the result again. Minute and half before the end of the game Nenad Černeka, with his second goal, set final result. But there was more action until the end. First Olimpija enforced exclusion of Sandi Mertelj, but than failed to score from man up position. On the other side also Andraž Verač was excluded. Instead of shooting, "Sharks" decided to keep the ball to the final whistle and keep minimal success.

Grega Košir

Also this season of international Alpe Adria water polo league will finish with final tournament. Because league grow from six to nine teams, leaguje office decided to expand final tournament. For second Alpe Adria title will from 7^th to 9^th of March compete best six teams from regular season.
Important reason to expand final tournament is also equality of the competing teams. Last year final four tournament was in Maribor, that is serious candidate also this year. Second biggest Slovenian city is almost in geografical center of competing teams, Pristan is beautifull and modern swimming pool, and home club prooved itself also last year with excellent organization.

Grega Košir

Double programe in Vienna ended with game between home ASV and Hungarian UTE. Game in Wienner Stadthalle was followed this seson's record number of spectators. UTE, that remains only unbeaten team in the league, jumped on second position, just behind defending chapmion Olimpija.


ASV Wien (Austria) - Uniqa UTE (Hungary) 6:13 (0:5, 6:2, 0:3, 0:3)
Swimming pool in Wienner Stadthalle, spectators 300, referees: Košir and Rakovec (both Slovenia).
* ASV Wien: Draganič 3, Papič 1, Rosič 1, Jajčinovič 1.
* Uniqa UTE: Vörös 3, N. Szabo 2, Salamon 2, B. Szabo 2, Somogyi 2, Sziklai 1, Olasz 1. 

Game started with slightest delay because of swimming competition that took place in the pool before. Waiting affected teams in bad way, even eorst on home team. So spectators had to wait more than half a period to see first goal. It was in home net and shortly ater that four more followed. In second period also home team start scoring. Couple of quick contra attacks and some goals from distance and difference at second break was only one goal. In second half of the game Hungarian goalkeeper Balazs Pelle locked his goal, on the other side his team mates scored some easy golas. It was obvious that hunting totaly exhausted home team, that couldn't keep the step with Hungarians any more.

Grega Košir

Game day three of Alpe Adria league will be streeched again. On Saturday there were only two games. Olimpija beat Trieste at home. After tough fight the same did also ASV Wien. Vienna will tommorrow see also the game between home ASV and Hungarian UTE.


Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) - Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) 14:9 (4:3, 3:2, 3:0, 4:4)
Kodeljevo pool in Ljubljana, spectators 100, referees: Carič and Balderman (both Slovenia).
* S. Olimpija: Ju. Škof 4, Kecman 3, Sušanj 3, Verač 2, Ja. Škof 2.
* P. Trieste: Giorgi 2, Brazzati 2, Irredento 1, Pastore 1, Vampa 1, Planinšek 1, Giacomini 1. 

Olimpija finished hard week with high win in front of home crowd. After playing hard game in Budapest "easier" opponent like Trieste was perfect for Olimpija. Trieste was equal in first half of the game when center forward Aaron Giorgi and first scoreer of the league Andrea Brazzati still had strength. Final decision came in third period. Main roles at Olimpija this time played center forward David Kecman, attacker Jure Škof and newcomer in the team Arsen Sušanj.


ASV Wien (Austria) - WBC Tirol (Austria) 12:11 (2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:2)
BSZ Südstadt swimming pool in Vienna, spectators 50, Referees: Rakovec and Košir (both Slovenia).
* ASV Wien: Jajčinovič 6, Draganič 3, Rosič 2, Schaffhauser 1.
* WBC Tirol: Janov 4, Niklanovič 3, Böhme 1, Wyklycky 1, Hengl 1, Gratzl 1.

In Austrian duel Austrian champions from Innsbruck almost surprised vice champions from Vienna. Tiros is last on the table while Wien is fighting fo final six tournament. Guests surprised with fighting performance and come first in the lead. Leter on teams changed in lead, and the result was tied for nine times! A the beginning of second period WBC lead by two goals (2:4). Next time by two goals lead ASV in last perod (12:10) when they decided the winner.

Grega Košir

Alpe Adria waterpolo league finally awaited first appearance of Hungarian team. Famous Alfred Hajos pool placed on Margaret Island in Budapest was the venue of duel between home Uniqa Ute and defending champion Olimpija. After tight and thrilling duel points stayed at home.


Uniqa UTE (Hungary) - Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) 11:9 (2:2, 3:1, 3:5, 3:1)

Alfred Hajos swimming pool in Budapest, spectators 200, referees: Košir and Rožman (both Slovenia).

* Uniqa UTE: Suti 3, Somogyi 3, Salamon 2, Vörös 1, Kotsidis 1, B. Szabo 1.

* S. Olimpija: Verač 5, Bubanj 1, Sušanj 1, Šinkovec 1, Ju. Škof 1.

Six-placed team from strong Hungarian championship awaited Slovenian champions in their strongest composition. Game started with two early goals scored by home team. But Andraž Verač was the man, who kept Olimpija alive. He was responsible for equalizing result before first break. As the game went on I initiative was on home side, but UTE couldn’t ran away. Their maximum advantage was two goals. In third period “Dragons” equalized the result on two occasions, first there was 7:7 and than 8:8, what was also result at last break. Last period started with two quick goals for UTE. Olimpija than lowered the result (9:10), but also made crucial mistake in defense. UTE punished exclusion of Olimpija’s defender by scoring  for 11:9 and decided the game. In last attack Olimpija had chance to score from man up position but they failed.

Grega Košir

In second game day also eternal derby between Triglav and Koper took place. With full success Triglav would clinch the top of the league. Koper on the other side was on the run for their first points of these season. At the end Koper was luckier, but also tie was one of the options.

Triglav (Slovenia) – Rokava Koper (Slovenia) 9:10 (2:4, 3:3, 2:2, 2:1) 
Olympic pool in Kranj, spectators 100, referees: Košir and Rožman (both Slovenija). 
* Triglav: G. Kalan 2, Komatar 2, Anzeljc 1, Štirn 1, Grašič 1, Vehovec 1, A. Kalan 1. 
* R. Koper: Berce 3, Bukovac 3, Smolnik 1, Mertelj 1, Crnica 1, Volčič 1.

Game in Kranj started as host team only wished. "Sharks" from Koper used almost every chance and lead 3:0 and 4:1. But before the end of first period, Triglav scored once again. In second and third period Triglav on several occasions come only one goal behind. In third quarter temperature went up, but not only in the water. Triglav coach Rado Čermelj, actually he only replaced punished Aleš Komelj on the bench, lost his temper and received red card. 
At the beginning of last period Uroš Smolnik scored for Koper. At this time game seemed decided because result was 10:7 for Koper. But Triglav had power for another wawe of attacks. First Rok Vehovec and than Gašper Kalan scored golas for home team and Triglav was in the game again. Koper started it's last attack from center 40 seconds before end of the game. They kept the ball to the end of attack. Emediately after that, Triglav requested time-out. After break they had 11 seconds left on the clock. Rok Vehovec come into position to shoot. He decided to throw the ball over the goalkeepers hands. Unfortunately for him and his team ball also went over the goalpost and ended behind goal.

Grega Košir

Second game day of Alpe Adria waterpolo league started with game in Trieste last week. Yesterday another two games in Maribor and Ljubljana took place. All points stayed at home. Game day will continue tonight with eternal derby between Triglav and Koper and will end on wednesday with first Alpe Adria game ever to be played in Budapest. Home UTE will face deffender of the title Olimpija.

Slovan Olimpija (Slovenia) – Kvarner (Croatia) 10:9 (0:2, 1:0, 6:4, 3:3) 
Swimming pool Kodeljevo in Ljubljana, spectators: 100, referees: Radonjič and Balderman (both Slovenia). 
* Slovan Olimpija: Kecman 3, Merlak 2, Ju. Škof 2, Brnjac 1, Sušanj 1, Verač 1. 
* Kvarner: Strižič 3, Turina 3, Martinčič 2, Pupovac 1.

Kvarner come to Slovenian capital to get another full set of points. After winning in Maribor they hope to conquer also Ljubljana. First period was completely by their wishes. They were leading by two goals and also controlled the game. They were faster and because of that many times in man up positions. In second period “Dragons” set balance in the pool. Their best men were again center forwards David Kecman and Gregor Merlak. This time they scored five goals. This was enough for Olimpija to come into lead in third period. In last eight minutes Kvarner tied the result twice, on 7:7 and 8:8. After that Olimpija scored consecutively by Andraž Verač and Jure Škof. But still there was enough time, three minutes and half, to the end of the game. In next minute Krešimir Turina lowered the result. In their last attack Kvarner came in man up position and get chance to tie the result. After time out they managed to shoot but they didn’t score and points stayed at home. With them Olimpija clinched the top of the table alone. 


Branik (Slovenia) – ASV Wien (Austria) 9:8 (2:1, 2:3, 2:1, 3:3)
Pristan swimming pool in Maribor, spectators 150, referees: Košir and Robnik (both Slovenia).
* Branik: Šmarčan 4, Ul 2, Šulič 1, Štuhec 1, Jokič 1.
* ASV Wien: Draganič 2, Schaffhauser 1, Papič 1, Ivičevič – Bakulič 1, Jajčinovič 1, Kaimak 1, Rosič 1.

For the second time in a row Branik prepared thriller for their spectators. Start didn’t show that ending could be in that manner. After couple minutes home team was in lead with 2:0. Game was poor, without any real actions. Goals were more or less coincidental. At the beginning of second period guests from Vienna come into lead. But not for long time. After second period result was tied. At the end of third and beginning of last quarter it seemed that Branik finally broke Vienna defense. After better swimming performance and some nice goals Branik lead with 9:5. ASV tried their last move. They sent one player in attack and defend with one less in front of their goal. This tactics was successful and 37 seconds before the end Wien came for only one goal behind (8:9). Branik went into their last attack and kept the ball almost to the end. ASV came in possession of the ball nine seconds before end of the game. After time-out, Branik concentrated defense around Marko Draganič, but they forget Goran Jajčinovič who was left alone four meters away from goal. He also received the ball and shoot. But home goalkeeper Aleš Manfreda stand out with excellent save.

Grega Košir

Yesterday new edition of Alpe Adria waterpolo league started and today already first game of second game day was played. In Trieste there was match between home Pallanuoto Trieste and WBC Tirol from Innsbruck. Home team was successful and won for the first time this year.

Pallanuoto Trieste (Italy) – WBC Tirol (Austria) 13:6 (2:3, 4:0, 4:1, 3:2)
Bruno Bianchi swimming pool in Trieste, spectators 50, referees: Laginja (Slovenia) and Brala (Croatia).
* Pallanuoto Trieste: Brazzati 4, Giorgi 2, Matjaševič 2, Polo 1, Verh 1, Pastore 1, Giacomini 1, Temesvari 1.
* WBC Tirol: Müller 2, Böhme 2, Gratzl 1, Waizer 1.

After yesterdays defeat in Kranj, players from Trieste today faced new challenge. In their pool came WBC Tirol from Innsbruck. Last year teams shared points, so for Trieste this was time for revenge. For the first time there were Montenegrian Predrag Matjašević and Hungarian David Temesvari in their line up. But crucial man for theis success was Andrea Brazzati, who added four goals to the yesterdays five and jumped on the first place on the leading scorers board.

Grega Košir