Jadran Split - VK Partizan 12:13 (Triglav Liga, round 3)

It was a tough, nerve-racking game, and we had to miss two key players. Nikola Jakšić was knocked out by some sickness

get well soon!

and Đorđe Tanasković also had to stay at home.
Well, we could thankfully solve the problem. Stojanović took the whole team on his back and scored his first goal in the middle of the first quarter (0:1). Croatians equalized (1:1) then took the lead with a distant cannon shot two minutes before the end of the quarter (2:1).
In the second part Croatians barely splashed into the pool when Drašović equalized (2:2). The answer was immediate with Gluhaić’s score (3:2). After some wrestling Toholj equalized (3:3).

There are some new names in the team we must learn. One of them is 19-year-old Nebojša Toholj, who scored two goals on this game, the other is our goalkeeper, 20-year-old Lazar Dobožanov, who made a few great saves, especially in the last few minutes of the match.

Two and a half minutes the home team was leading again (4:3), but just one minute later Stojanović, who played in his best form, equalized (4:4). That was the half-time result.
We just came back from the pause, the Croatian team was leading once again. (5:4). We immediately equalized with Radojević’s left hander cannon shot (5:5). Then we even took the lead! Drašović possessed the ball. He was about to make a distant shot. He was swaying the ball, swaying, swaying, the entire Croatian defense line was sinking like Titanic, then Drašović shot with a wide grin and scored. 5:6
What is more, Dobožanov could demonstrate his skills by saving a shot that was almost in the box... Someone from Jadran shot, Dobožanov saved, but the ball slowly started to float towards the goal line. It was almost in, just one little wave was needed to push it inside, but Dobožanov could catch it, right before a cardial arrest and screaming, and saved (probably quite a few lives as well).
Then Jadran took advantage of a double power play and equalized (6:6).
No worries. Two minutes before the end Toholj took back the lead (6:7) and even though Jadran equalized from penalty (7:7), Drašović took back the lead again just 12 seconds before the buzz. I swear I could see a small twitch on Croatian faces after this goal.
Then came the final quarter.
Average Fan died in the final quarter at least five times.
First Croatians equalized, right after the start (8:8). They even took the lead with Visković’s goal (9:8). Stojanović equalized (9:9). It’s unbelievable what this 20-year-old kid was doing. Lukić took us the lead (9:10). What is more, what is more, Stojanović scores and we are leading to 9:11! Jadran’s head coach asks for time-out. Afterwards Croatians didn’t just reduce the difference, didn’t just equalize, but they took back the lead (12:11). Less than one and a half minutes were left. Stojanović. Again Stojanović. He equalizes. 12:12. Less than a minute is left. Average Fan is praying, this draw is enough, hang in there, boys...
For them this draw was not enough.
Dobožanov makes a great save. Partizan attacks. 20 seconds are left. Stojanović possesses the ball... and Stojanović throws a cannon shot, tearing the net into pieces, scoring Partizan’s 13th goal, earning another victory for the team. Well done, boys!

Ognjen Stojanović, the hero of the day

(photo: waterpolopartizan.rs/screenshot/ArenaSport 1)

The hero of the day is - of course - Ognjen Stojanović with 5 (!!!) goals. He is followed by Radomir Drašović with 4 scores. Nebojša Toholj scored 2, Filip Radojević and Nikola Lukić both earned 1-1 goal.

Current standing of the Liga:
1. Jug Dubrovnik 12 points
2. VK Partizan 9 points
3. Primorje 7 points
4. Jadran Carine 7 points
5. HAVK Mladost 6 points
6. Budva 3 points
7. Mornar BS 1 point
8. Vojvodina 1 point
9. Jadran Split 0 point

VK Partizan - Banjica 16:4 (Serbian league play-off, quarterfinal)

A training match between Partizan A and Partizan B disguised as a league game.
That’s all. There isn’t much more worth to know about it. Maybe that Banjica tried to push in the beginning, they were even leading to 1:2, but then routine won over them. Also Rističević was our goalkeeper in the first half, then in the second Brankočević got the chance to keep Partizan’s goal box.
Partizan won the first quarter to 3:2, the second to 5:1, the third to 4:0 and the fourth to 4:1. Practically everyone could score at least one goal, Gogov can be mentioned, he earned 4, while Asanović and Stojanović both scored 2-2.
Return match will be played on Tuesday from 19:45 in the Banjica swimming pool.

Here is a photo about Jakšić

(photo: waterpolopartizan.rs)

VK Jadran - VK Partizan 9:8 (Triglav Liga, Round 18)

This is the last match report I owe you from the week-end.

Though I’m not sure if there’s anyone who is yearning to read about another defeat. Okay, we had to fight without Gogov, Jakšić and Tanašković, what is more, Subotić was fouled out around the end.

Reports talk about an excellent game, where the end result was unsure until the end. Jadran was leading to 2:0 after 2 minutes. It didn’t look any better for the end of the quarter (4:2), then the home team was leading with 3 goals in the second part (5:2).
In the middle of the quarter something happened.
Ognjen Stojanović scored (5:3) and Partizan started a fantastic series. We didn’t stop until 5 goals! For the half time we reduced the difference to 5:4, then in the third quarter we scored 3 more goals and took the lead (5:7). Jadran could earn only one goal, we headed to the final part with 6:7.
Right at the beginning Jadran equalized (7:7). Subotić took the lead back to us (7:8), but the home team equalized again (8:8), then in the middle of the quarter they took back the lead for themselves (9:8). That didn’t change for the rest of the game.
The hero of the day was Ognjen Stojanović with 3 goals. He is followed by Gavril Subotić (2) as well as Gilen, Lazić and Vučinić (1-1).

Current standing of the League:
1. Dubrovnik 45 points
2. Primorje 42 points
3. Jadran 39 points
4. Partizan 21 points
5. Mladost 20 points
6. Mornar 16 points
7. Radnički 13 points
8. Vojvodina 12 points
9. POŠK 8 points

Dubrovnik - VK Partizan 9:6 (Triglav Liga, Round 17)

Compared to earlier results we made a pretty good job that we ended up only 3 goals behind them.

Don't look at me like this. You should be glad that I try to stay positive, especially after yesterday. Normally after such events I can only mumble "yada yada yada" for two days.

In the first half the two teams were just strangling each other in the beginning, then approx. 3 minutes before the end of the first quarter Croatians scored the first goal of the game (1:0). Almost immediately (about 30 seconds later) came their second one (2:0). From us Asanović scored soon before the end buzz, setting the result of the first part (2:1).
In the second quarter we equalized right in the beginning, after Subotić scored from penalty (2:2). From this point on the scheme was "Croatians score, Partizan equalizes". But when they scored one more goal 20 seconds before the buzz, we had no time to equalize. Half time, 5:4.
The third quarter brought another episode of water wrestling. The two teams stayed without any goal for a long while, then two and a half minutes before the end Croatians scored (6:4). Then another (7:4). It couldn’t be a happy sight for any Partizan-fan who watched this game instead of the handball eternal derby.

What is more, looking at the statistics, two players from us were fouled out (Drašović and Lazić).

In the last quarter both teams scored 2-2 goals, settling the end result.
The hero of the day was Gavril Subotić, he scored 3 goals. He is followed by Ognjen Stojanović, Mateja Asanović and Filip Radojević, all scoring 1-1 goal.

(photo: waterpolopartizan.rs)

League table will be brought later.

VK Partizan - Jug Dubrovnik 6:10 (Champions League, Round 6)

I have to confess it to you all, I was watching this game on a Croatian stream. The Serbian broadcaster RTS 2 was blocked at everywhere.

I swear those guys at the state-owned TV make some kind of sport of it that whenever they broadcast an important game, all stream sites show up only error messages.

There was one advantage of this situation though. Croatians broadcasted on ArenaSport 1 in HD-quality, so I could make some really good screenshots during the match.

Introducing the teams

Vladimir Vujasinović

Last discussion and captain Rističević’s encouraging words before kick-off

But the sad reality was that Croatians scored their first goal after 25 seconds (0:1). We missed out two attempts, at one we literally hit the head of a Croatian defender instead of the goal.

Partizan-attack some time in the first quarter

Croatians quickly scored their second goal from penalty (0:2). Our attempts were either saved by the goalkeeper or blocked by defenders. We tried, we attacked, but God knows what Croatians chewed before the game, chips soaked into plutonium or something, they ground us.

Lukas Gilen

Jug soon scored their 3rd goal. The end of the quarter was approaching when we could make our first score by Dimitris Tigkas.

And that was the end of the first quarter (1:3).
In the second quarter (though it was visible even at the end of the first one) our defense line got a bit stronger. We defended more aggressively, we bravely got into one-to-one fights with Croatians, while Rističević made fantastic saves.
Just the problem was that Jug scored their fourth goal, from power play.
We didn’t have to wait long for Partizan’s answer. Tanasković came, saw and threw. 2:4

Croatians immediately, instantly scored another (2:5). It was awful. They were strong, they had great rutin, while Partizan consisted of a lot of very young players.

Meanwhile it was rather depressing to listen to the Croatian commentator’s whoops of joy.

We missed out our chances, all our attempts were blocked. Vladimir Vujasinović asked for time-out...

...but even that didn’t help much. There were only 10 seconds left from the first half, when Croatians scored another goal. 2:6, it was high time for a longer pause.

It wasn’t a cool game, nor was it an exciting game. Nothing special happened, only grinding, struggling, and heavy battles without any spectacular movement.

Mateja Asanović and Dimitris Tigkas in the half-time

Jug started the second half, hitting the goalpost heavily with a shot. After that Stojanović scored our 3rd goal (3:6)

The ball is resting in the corner of the net...

...Stojanović calmly acknowledges it

Here came a short period when nothing happened, then Croatians scored one more goal. The standing was 3:7, it started to get more and more bitter. Partizan-players were fighting hard, but Croatians were just too strong.

One of them is trying to suffocate Nemanja Vico into the pool

Another time-out

Dimitrije Rističević some time during the third quarter

Draško Gogov is trying with a shot at the end of the quarter, but the goalkeeper saved it - so did he with all our other attempts

That’s all about the third quarter.
In the last one first Asanović shot, the goalkeeper saved. We got the ball back, first we shot it right into the goalkeeper from 10 centimetres, maybe. The ball dropped out, we got a corner shot, and this time we made it. Gilen scored, 4:7
The struggling and fighting continued. Subotić got two Croatians on himself as an extra weight, he still shot, the goalkeeper saved. Well, this one he could save. Because the next one left him helpless, Subotić shot and scored, our drawback was only 2 goals (5:7)
Dubrovnik attacks. Great upheaval in our goalmouth, referees whistle, they are convinced that Jakšić made a foul. Croatians get a penalty shot again.

Jakšić can’t believe his ears

Whistle, the Croatian player shoots... and Rističević saves! We swim up, we attack, but the Croatians steal the ball, counter-attack... and they score. 5:8, damn it.
At this point the stream collapsed and stayed in the state of apparent death for a while. When it was willing to work again, only a few seconds were left from the game and Croatians were leading to 5:10. But Subotić scored one last goal only 2 minutes before the end. That was the end result, a very brave, never backing down Partizan against a (compared to us) too strong Dubrovnik.

League table will be brought later.

VK Partizan - Mladost 5:5 (Triglav Liga, Round 13)

This game was in fact a great battle/wrestling in the Banjica swimming pool. The result, this draw and the low number of goals tell it all.

Dimitrije Rističević during the presentation of players

Fair-play handshakes

List of our players

The team is already in the pool, Draško Gogov is focusing

Last discussion before kickstart

(screenshots)

The two teams immediately started a huge battle, they didn’t slow down during the entire game. Both Partizan and the Croatian team attacked heavily for the end. There was barely any attack or attempt that was not in power play. First the Zagreb-based team swam up, but the referees whistled them off. We could come up for a counter-attack, Asanović shot, the goalkeeper saved. Mladost attacked, someone shot, Rističević had a great save. We instantly attacked back, someone from us shot, it was too wide. And so on, and so on... it was going like this, with no stop. Both goalkeepers had 100 % tonight, Rističević as well as Marcelić on the other side, unfortunately.

(screenshot)

Constant goal attempts, constant blocks, we missed out a double power play, meanwhile Stojanović was fouled twice within a short time. Mladost also got into a double power play, they also missed it out. There was less than 90 seconds left from the first quarter, when Mladost got a penalty shot. They scored, why not (0:1). What is more, there were only 18 seconds left, when they scored another, while Gilen’s shot hit a defender, and a bit later the Croatian goalkeeper saved Tanasković’s attempt. We finished the first quarter with 0:2.
In the beginning of the second quarter Drašović scored our first goal (1:2), while Mladost’s player Paškvalin got a red card (I’m not sure if I saw it well, but the Croatian player had to leave the pool). Not much later the steam died.

I could save these two images before it ceased to work

(screenshots)

Desperate search for a working stream - when I finally found one, the standing was 2:3 (our goal was scored by Janković) and there were only 2 minutes left from the first half. Gogov quickly equalized before the end buzz (3:3) and Gilen blocked a Croatian attempt with such a cheeky, amazing movement that it made Average Fan grinning wide. It was high time for some rest.
The third quarter started with a penalty for Partizan. Gilen thanked the chance, shot and scored (4:3). Then another period came with battles, missed out attempts and great saves by goalkeepers.

Timeout in the third quarter

(screenshot)

Mladost’s goalkeeper saved another attempt by us. Croatians immediately swam up for a counter-attack - and they equalized. 4:4
The bitter, fruitless battle continued. Both goalkeepers saved every shot, every attempt and even the fact that Mladost’s player, Pavičić was fouled out, didn’t help us.

Looking at the statistics I realized that Drašović was also fouled out. I swear I don’t remember when it happened.

The fourth quarter started with a cardial arrest. Croatians shot from a very sharp angle on the left side. The ball stopped right on the goal line. Referees shook their head, no goal, it’s still 4:4, a big load was off Average Fan’s mind. Partizan had a counter-attack and the very same scene happened at Mladost’s goalmouth. Someone from us shot, the ball stopped on the goal line, the referees said no. Aaaaargghhh, it’s still 4:4!...
A row of missed out chances came. Both teams attacked tirelessly, bitterly and fruitlessly. Asanović had a distant shot, he missed it out. Tigkas also had a cannon shot from far away, hitting the goalpost. For our great luck Rističević made miracles on the other side of the pool.

One of Rističević’s great saves in the last quarter - do you agree this boy should get into the national team?

(screenshot)

Another Mladost-attack, they even get into power play, and BANG, they score. Damn it, 4:5, while we missed out another attempt. Mladost’s coach asks for timeout. Croatians attack, they’re in power play, but the striker’s hand shakes in the critical moment and shoots it above the crossbar. Yessss, it’s our turn! Big upheaval, we get into power play, only 20 seconds are left... aaaaaaaaand, Ognjen Stojanović scores, what a fantastic goal! 5:5, there are just a few seconds left, Mladost tries with a quick attack, someone shoots, but Rističević saves it with eyes closed. He saved the attempt, we saved one point.

League table comes later.

Radnički - VK Partizan 7:7 (Triglav Liga, Round 12)

The two teams had a tough, fierce battle in the Kragujevac pool, at least based on the statistics. It says all that the ratio of fouls is 10:9, what is more, a Radnički-player, Manić was fouled out some time before the end of the 3rd quarter (I checked the live scores first around the end of the 3rd part, at that point there was already a big red "3" near Manić’s name).
The first quarter could have looked smooth. We were leading to 2:4, we all looked flawless and fabulous, probably everyone thought it would be a routine victory against the home team who are stuck on the 9th place of the league table. Then nobody knows what Radnički-players drank, smoked or chewed in the pause before the second quarter, because they returned to the pool being totally sped up (or we made too many mistakes - or both...). They scored 3 goals, we had only one. They equalized, making up the half-time result to 5:5.
For the second half there was only wrestling left. Both teams could score only 1-1 goal in both the third and the fourth quarter, increasing only the number of fouls.
The hero of the day is Mateja Asanović with two goals. The others scored only 1-1 goal, namely Gilen, Tigkas, Gogov, Tanasković and Stojanović.

League table comes later.

VK Partizan - OSC Budapest 5:4 (Champions League, Round 4)

What a game it was.
Hungarian opponent, Hungarian broadcast, Hungarian TV-presenter broke the remains of my nerves to pieces (the football game in the afternoon killed most of my nerve cells, I had only one nerve fibre left - I don't know who was the presenter tonight, Dániel Mezei or Gábor P. Fülöp, it doesn't really matter, but whomever it was, he was dancing on that one remaining line of my nerve cells - and he was paid for this, with tax payers' money, you get what I mean).

By the way, there was surely something in the air. My net connection was on the verge of death all day long, it still is even now, as I'm typing this blogpost. Then the TV broadcast died, too, not just once. Either the screen blacked out or the broadcast was lagging. This goddamned state-owned sports channel was made from 80 billion HUF (253 million euros), 80 billion crispy, state-owned HUF. And that's all you can bring out of it. Congratulations.
Other than this, I'd kindly like to ask all those in charge: what the hell do you think who'll be interested in the pathetic failure of the Hungarian female handball team on the world cup right before a water polo match? Who on earth would be interested in the 623rd whining and complaining about how it should have been done? Who?...
Go to hell, all of you, together with your 80 bn TV channel.

All right. Cut. Banjica swimming pool, at long last. The boys splash into the water, Rističević immediately had a great save.

The Hungarian presenter should very quickly find himself a good speech/language therapist, because he continuously misspelled the Serbian players’ names. That’s one thing he called Rističević first as "Čičević" (where the heck did that come from?...), but even for the rest of the game he called Partizan’s goalkeeper "rishtishevich" (I wrote it with English spelling, so it might be easy for all of you to see). Subotić was his other victim, he called the top goal scorer either "shubotich" or "subotits". Facepalm. Facepalm. Facepalm.

We had a counter-attack, Asanović shot, Bisztritsányi saved.

Had Bisztritsányi not been the goalkeeper of OSC, we would have won over them with more than 10 goals for sure. I very much hope the entire team bowed down for him after the match.

But Rističević was again the MVP of the game. He quickly saved a shot, then our defense line blocked another and we could swim up for a counter-attack. Gogov got the ball, he shot and scored Partizan’s first goal. 1:0, at almost the half of the quarter.
At the very end Decker scored from power play - between these two goals we hit the goalposts and the crossbar countless times, while Partizan’s defense (including of course Rističević) did a top quality job.
In the second quarter OSC got into power play, but Rističević shut down the shutters, hanged out the "Closed" sign and saved the attempts of the opponent. Not just this one, but all of them in this quarter as well as in the next one, no matter if OSC happened to be in power play or not. We made a counter-attack, Stojanović got the ball, shot and scored. 2:1
What is more, Jakšić immediately scored another! 3:1!!!
The only happening left for the first half was that Jakšić wanted to just drop the ball with a delicate movement into OSC’s net, but someone from the opponent literally stole the ball off from his hand. At the very end, only 2 seconds were left, when Rističević threw the ball and almost scored a goal.
In the third quarter Rističević presented the trick of "saving a shot from 1 cm".

I almost got a cardial arrest. First from the attack itself, then as Partizan's goalkeeper saved, a big load rolled off my mind (and heart). All glories to Dimitrije Rističević.

Partizan counter-attack, and Stojanović scored from an amazing, impossible cannon shot. He was just swinging and swinging the ball, then BANG, and 4:1!!!
OSC tried with full-pool press, with no success, while we kept on hitting the goalpost/crossbar.
Then came the last quarter. OSC picked themselves together. They scored a goal (after 2 quarters...), then almost immediately another one. 4:3 Meanwhile they desperately attacked, just they forgot about Gilen, who scored a huge goal from power play. 5:3
Rističević... Rističević came from another planet.

(photo: mozzartsport.com)

At the end OSC pushed one more goal into our net (5:4). They visibly wanted to earn at least a draw - well, guys, I have bad news for you. It should have come to your mind earlier than the last quarter.

(photo: waterpolopartizan.rs)

Oh, and the final punch line.
End of the match, Hungarian TV-presenter says with a bit of shocked voice: "Partizan-players looked at Vujasinović as if he was God."
BECAUSE THIS IS PARTIZAN!!!

Current standing of Group B:
1. Pro Recco 12 points
2. Szolnok 9 points
3. Dubrovnik 9 points
4. Partizan 6 points
5. OSC 0 point
6. Galatasaray 0 point

Victorious farewell to Champions League

Partizan’s water polo team won over Galatasaray to 11:14 in Engin Bora Pool, Istanbul, at the last group match of Champions League. The match had no significant importance, as Partizan could not qualify to the Final Six, while Galatasaray was positioned last of Group B.

Probably that was the reason no goddamn TV channel broadcasted it.

After 4 minutes we were on the lead to 0:3. Gilen scored two, Asanoviá one. Galatasaray reduced the difference with Slobodan Nikić’s goal

the fun part of the match was that 8 out of Galatasaray’s 13 players were from the states of the former Yugoslavia

our answer was Manojlović (1:4).
In the second part Turks reduced to 3:4, meanwhile the Italian and the Spanish referee continuously whistled fouls on Partizan. The half time result was 5:7, despite all we were still leading. In the third quarter Galatasaray got even closer to us, first to 6:7, then to 7:8, 8:9, finally to 9:10, with a nerve-racking approach. Then in the final period they even equalized (11:11), five minutes before the end.
That was the moment head coach Vujasinović sent the young titans into the battle. Tanasković, Stojanović and Asanović all shot the ball into the Turkish net.

Information to all of you: Wednesday is eternal derby day for the Serbian league final.

Primorje - VK Partizan 14:8 (Champions League)

There was no goal in the first quarter, the two teams were just strangling each other silently. In the second period the fun has started, well, mostly for Primorje, shooting a goal. Our answer came immediately by Mandić (1:1). Primorje scored two more goals in the quarter, as for us, only Gogov had one shot. The half-time result was 3:2.
In the third quarter we equalized with Gilen’s goal (3:3), but the Croatian team took back the lead quickly. They even increased the difference with one more shot (5:3). We could still equalize again. Radojević shot first, then Subotić scored our fifth goal. (5:5)
Primorje still kept control in their hands. They scored two goals (7:5). The difference was reduced by Asanović (7:6), but the Croatian team was unstoppable (9:6). To make things even more difficult, Gilen was fouled out. The Rijeka-based team’s advantage increased even more (10:6). Soon before the end buzz Jakšić reduced the difference from power play (10:7).
The final part brought Primorje marching ahead (12:7). Stojanović also scored from power play (12:8), but soon he was fouled out, too. It was only the coup de grace that was left. Two more goals from Primorje.
Right now we are on the 4th place of Group B with 6 points. Ahead of us, on the 3rd stands Dubrovnik with 15 points. We have no chance to qualify, not even mathematical one. There is only one match left with Szolnok on 8th April.

Mornar - VK Partizan 8:7 (Triglav League)

None of the teams could qualify earlier to the Final Four, so the match didn't have any significant stake.

Probably that's why none of the channels broadcasted it...

Mornar was on the lead for almost the whole time. They won the first quarter to 3:2, but we could equalize for the half-time to 4:4. In the third period the Split-based team sped up and increased the difference to 8:5. In the last quarter we scored 2 goals, they scored none, but even that wasn't enough for a draw.
The hero of the day was the goalkeeper here, too, Rističević had 10 (!) saves, keeping the team back from a bigger defeat. The most goals (2) was scored by Jakšić, the other goal shooters were Mandić, Subotić, Gogov, Manojlović and Stojanović.

VK Partizan - VK Crvena Zvezda 12:9 (Triglav League)

It was a great match.
The two teams started immediately a heavy fight. Nemanja Vico scored the first goal (1:0). Mandić quickly brought two more (3:0, the latter one from penalty), meanwhile on the other side Slobodan Soro saved all tryings of Zvezda with a wide grin.
They could still threw two (3:2), then Draško Gogov shot one just before the end buzz, because it’s better to be safe than sorry. (4:2)

In the beginning of the second quarter the stream died. Me too, a bit.

More than 3 minutes passed until the first goal of the second part, scored by Subotić (5:2). Goalkeeper Šefik just watched with shock, not knowing what happened... Yet Zvezda couldn’t take advantage of a double power play (two Partizan-players were sent off). They still reduced the difference from a counter-attack (5:3), they made a speed-swim to our goal line and shot.
Mandić again scored from penalty (6:3), Soro was the strong bastion of our defense. At the end of the first half, just 10 seconds before the buzz the opponent scored, so we went to the half-time pause with 6:4.
The 3rd quarter started and Zvezda didn't even pushed themselves at the swim-off. Mandić didn’t hesitate much, but scored another goal (8:5).
Then referees showed the red card for Vladimir Vujasinović. (He complained after a foul, referees didn't like it.) The head coach found a place on a tribune, from that point on the second coach was in charge.
Soro was still our biggest strength, Subotić had a brilliant try left, he wanted to shoot with a backhand twist, but he missed. (Had he scored, it would have been the Goal of the Month.)
The final part was opened by Stojanović (9:5), Zvezda had an instant reply (9:6) - but us, too! Repanović scored, immediately (10:6). Zvezda kept on trying (10:7), our rapid reaction came by Manojlović (11:7). What is more, Mandić stole the ball, swam up to Zvezda’s goal line like a shark on speed (all defenders were left far behind him) and threw the ball into the net without mercy (12:7). Zvezda had two goals left to score, but they couldn’t switch the standing to their benefit.

(photo: sportske.net)

Jug Dubrovnik - VK Partizan 13:7 (Triglav League)

This was not funny.
We kept ourselves until 3:3, even then Stojanović equalized. But even the first quarter was won by the Croatian team to 5:3 and they didn’t really climb down from this height. They made it to 7:3, keeping the lead to 8:4 in the half-time.

I'm not sure how much the fact can be on our defense that neither Subotić, nor Tanasković played. I guess, not at all.

After the half-time we got the coup de grace. At the end of the third quarter the standing was 10:5, they settled the final result in the 4th part.
Partizan’s goals were scored by Mandić (2), Radojević (2), Stojanović (2) and Vico (1).

Current group standings:
1. Primorje 40 points
2. Radnički 32 points
3. Mladost 28 points
4. Partizan 22 points
5. POŠK 16 points
6. Budvanska Rivijera 15 points
7. Jadran ST 10 points
8. Branik Maribor 0 point

VK Partizan - Spandau 8:6 (Champions League)

As it often happened to us earlier, too, gears scrunched a bit in the beginning. Germans immediately scored, then Stojanović equalized. The guest team attacked aggressively, their defense line was excellent. They caught and blocked every shot. They gained back their lead from power play (1:2), then Subotić equalized soon before the end of the quarter (2:2).In the second part Gogov took us on the lead (3:2). Germans switched to full force, blocking not just our tryings, but even our thoughts for an effective attack. As soon as they got the ball, they immediately started a counter-attack. But Partizan had Slobodan Soro at their goal line, who brought his usual hammer form. Finally Spandau equalized from a power play, when two Partizan-players (!) were sent off at the same time.
Then came Subotić.
Again at the end of the quarter.
He was far from the goal line. He stopped, swayed the ball in his hand and shot, and the ball fell into the net flying above goalkeeper László Baksa's head. 4:3, it was time for a longer pause.
In the third quarter we pressed Spandau into the concrete bottom of the swimming pool.
Lazić started (5:3), then almost immediately Stojanović (6:3). At the other side Soro saved every attempt, well, if Germans could have any attempt at all. Very often their shots went too far or our defense blocked it. Then team captain Mandić sent a distant shot to Baksa’s goal line. He scored (7:3). We had a difference of 4 goals.
In the final part guests reduced it (7:4). Mandić scored another, the goalkeeper could even touch the ball, but it didn’t help much (8:4). Spandau scored two more, as a two-goal drawback is still better than a four-goal one.

(photo: sportske.net)

Spandau - VK Partizan 8:6 (Champions League)

I'd like to express my gratitude to all TV channels that DID NOT broadcast this match. Would it have hurt?...

We started so good. We were on the lead to 0:2 with the goals of Subotić and Vico. What is more, thanks to Stojanović we made it to 1:3 in the second quarter. But then Germans took over control and we went to half-time break with 4:3.
After the pause we attacked the Berlin-based team so much that Stojanović and Tanasković could switch the standing to 4:5.
From that point on we couldn’t score even one thin goal for long and we had to pay the price. Germans made it to 8:5 (mostly by the goals of Croatian player Ćuk). Mandić could finally score one, 76 seconds before the end.
And no, it does not make me happy that this was the German team’s first victory in Champions League.




Team standing:
1. Szolnok 12 points
2. Primorje 12 points
3. Jug Dubrovnik 12 points
4. Partizan 3 points
5. Galatasaray 3 points
6. Spandau 3 points

Next round: 4th March

VK Crvena Zvezda - VK Partizan 8:8 (Triglav League)

We started with a good pace. Average Fan even had distant day-dreams about a possible high goal difference victory over the red team, especially that the match was organized in Milan Gale Muškatirović Swimming Pool.
In the first quarter we were self-confident, winning it to 3:4. Slobodan Soro finally came back home from Brazil and made miracles at the goal line. Subotić and Mandić made a fool of Šefik time after time. We even made it for the half-time, being on the lead to 4:6.
The third quarter is yet something to forget as quickly as possible. Nothing worked, the entire period was a desperate swimming between the two goal-lines struggling. It isn’t much of a comforting thought that the opponent also failed to take advantage of their chances, the quarter’s only goal was still scored by them soon before the end. Their goalkeeper picked himself together and their defense line formed a much stronger wall than in the first half.
The last quarter was a total nervous breakdown. Red team equalized, then they even took the lead (8:7). Their goalkeeper made impossible tricks while having a wide grin at Partizan-players who seemingly turned into more and more pale. Finally Jakšić got fed up and equalized 40 seconds before the end buzz.

The team’s best were Subotić, Mandić and Stojanović, all scored 2-2 goals.

VK Partizan - Primorje 7:11 (Champions League)

It's so great (NOT!) to find out in the last minutes of the 4th quarter that RTS 2 broadcasted the match despite all... At that point it didn't matter much anyway... There was one Primorje-goal that looked like a goal from only one angle, but the referees still validated it. There was a Partizan-goal, too, which seemed to be a real goal from every angle, but referees still invalidated it. There was also a penalty for the Croatian team, no one knows why that was given to them.
The hero of the day was Gavril Subotić, scoring 3 of Partizan’s 7 goals. Mandić, Gogov, Manojlović and Stojanović each scored a goal. Based on the review of zurnal.rs Partizan was fighting like a lion, doing their best (and even more) for victory, but Croatians were stronger than them.
You’re still our heroes.

Jadran ST - VK Partizan 10:11 (Triglav League)

As they say, in the first half of the match we demonstrated how to play water polo. Then in the second half we demonstrated how not to.

Quoting the witty remark of a fellow Partizan-fan: it could have been with more goals, but we didn’t want to trash the opponent.
We do have heart.

The start was phenomenal. We got the ball at first and immediately scored, with Gilen’s distant shot (0:1). Macedonians equalized, but Gogov shot us back on the lead from a counter-attack. He dribbled himself alone to the opponents goalmouth, a defender desperately tried to catch him, but he was behind the player of Partizan with at least half meter (1:2). Rističević saved everything, rolling down the shutters. Nobody could score to him, not even giving him a nasty look. Not even when the opponent was in power play.
We scored from another counter-attack with Radojević’s shot (1:3). Soon before the end of the first quarter he threw another goal, we could enter the next period with 1:4.
The second quarter was even better than the first. Jadran tried with an attack, but we again got the ball, started a counter-attack and Andrejević scored (1:5). Another counter-attack, another Gogov-goal (1:6). At this point the home team also scored (2:6), our reply was Radojević (2:7). The Macedonian team took advantage of a power play (3:7), later Andrejević did so, too (3:8). Right before the end of the first half Rističević had another giant save while the opponent was in power play.
We had a five-goal advantage. And then, after the break we showed how to waste this advantage and how to sweat blood for the victory.

For the team’s defense: key players got a day off for today. Mandić and Subotić played yesterday for the Serbian national team against Russia, before that they humiliated Galatasaray. So now we had to send those players into battle who had less routine.

Jadran scored two quick goals (5:8), as for us, we could show off only with Gilen’s shot (5:9). Both teams missed out a lot of chances. At the end of the period the home team scored another goal (6:9), from our side Lazić threw one just before the end buzz (6:10).
The last quarter brought a similar amount of missed chances, and it paid off, as it did a zillion times before. Jadran reduced their difference to only 3 goals, when Stojanović threw a score (7:11). At this point we were done. I still suggest though to engild the hands of Rističević, we can thank him and his excellence (among others) that we could finally win this match.

Szolnoki Dózsa - VK Partizan 12:7 (Champions League)

A message to all Serbian sports channels as well as to the state-owned TV: I send you all a wire-brush to put it up for yourselves. Why did NONE of you broadcast this match? Why?... Is Partizan this much out of importance? To whom would it have hurt to put this match on their programme?

A question to Hungarian "Sport 1" sports channel: do you really pay for these presenters?... If you had picked two random Szolnok-fans, even they would have presented this match with much higher standards than these two idiots. (Don't take me wrong, I don't want to hurt Szolnok's fans. On the contrary.) Does it feel good for you to mock Partizan and Vujasinović live, while the broadcast lacks the most basic professionalism?

Rističević had a great save as a warm-up, then Mandić greeted everyone with a goal (0:1). Not much later Szolnok equalized. We tried to pressure them, but they had Decker at their goal line who is the goalkeeper of the national team as well, while in the goalmouth there were mountain-sized players watching, and if anyone from Partizan made even just a small movement, at least two home team members got on him and pushed him into the concrete of the pool. After this Szolnok took the lead, Varga threw the ball into our net from about 2 centimetres. We tried with a counter-attack, but when such a thing happened, two Szolnok-players made a "sandwich" taking the sometimes barely 20-year-old Partizan player between themselves pressuring him so heavily that he dropped the ball from his hand. Referees either whistled or not, but even if they did, we got usually just a free throw, but no send-off happened. The standing reached to 3:1. Rističević was in great shape, despite all, he even had great saves while Szolnok was in power play.
The second quarter wasn’t much better. Rističević held the "fortress" like a hero, but when Szolnok got into power play again, that was too much even for him (4:1). Mandić kept on trying, but Decker saved everything, he even sent an evil grin to Partizan’s young player. Then Stojanović decided to do something - and scored (4:2). Rističević again saved in power play, Jakšić heartened up and our difference was just one goal then (4:3).
The problem was that referees heartened up as well and gave a penalty shot for Szolnok.

I swear I have no idea why. The scene was replayed in slow motion a few times, I didn’t see anything. Mountain-sized Szolnok player vs. kid-faced Serbian youngster. You can imagine. Partizan’s player desperately tries to keep the pace, the referee suddenly whistles and gives penalty shot out of the blue.

Trainer Vujasinović complained, but the referees didn’t listen. Szolnok scored. 5:3
There were a few missed chances, also great saves by Rističević. Then we could have a longer pause.
The third quarter started again with Rističević. He had a great save in the first moments of the second half, but a few minutes later he was overwhelmed. (6:3) Then we got into power play after a long time. We took advantage of it, Mandić scored (6:4). What is more, thanks to Repanović, the standing was 6:5 not much later.
It didn’t take long... Szolnok quickly scored (7:5), while the camera showed their team member tearing a Partizan player into small pieces. The referees were just watching it

popcorn, maybe?...

...then they sent off a Partizan-player, because Szolnok didn’t have enough power play time yet. Rističević and our defense line stopped Szolnok’s attack and we made a quick counter-attack. We even got into power play, but we missed. We could immediately see the consequences, Szolnok scored again (8:5). Subotić had a try, then the quarter ended. We could have a few minutes of rest, then came the final period.
It came, so did Mandić (8:6). Szolnok quickly scored (9:6), Partizan’s answer was again Mandić (9:7). Gogov missed a chance, Szolnok made a counter-attack and scored (10:7). Then again... (11:7) while referees again didn’t mind Szolnok players drowning someone from Partizan slowly into the water. Only the coup de grace was left (12:7) as well as some great moments by Rističević. Then the referees did the final whistle.

VK Partizan - VK Mladost 10:8 (Triglav League)

Goalkeeper Rističević was the hero of the day. Right at the beginning he had a huge save while the opponent team was in power play. Right after this Subotić scored Partizan’s first goal (1:0). Our defense line was very strong and it says all that Mladost’s first (and equalizing) goal was a terrible, weak shot, soon before the end. No one knows why the referees validated it. (1:1)

The ball was floating on the surface of the water rolling around, crossing the goal line while sailing on the waves. Everyone was screaming and waving, the referee whistled and pointed at the middle of the pool. Thanks.

As an answer, Mandić made a giant block while defending a Croatian try, may his hands be engilt, and we could start a counter-attack. Stojanović scored, we were on the lead (2:1). As the final scene of the period, Rističević again had a wonderful save.
In the second quarter Croatian team quickly equalized (2:2) and they seemed to decide to take control of the match. They took control so much that Gilen tore the net to pieces (3:2). Mladost equalized from power play (3:3), Stojanović again took the lead with a distant shot (4:3). Rističević again saved the unsaveable, Mladost kept us under continuous control, but Rističević saved.
And saved.
And again saved.

I want you all to make a statue of him. Now. And put it to the entrance of the Banjica sports complex.

At the beginning of the second half Mladost again equalized (4:4), then... then we got into a triple "man down" situation. Three players were sent off from us, Mladost was in an absolute power play. I swear I don’t know how it could all happen, referees were just whistle and wave, there was a big upheaval and wrestling in front of our goal line...
...AND RISTIČEVIĆ SAVED!!!
HE SAVED IN TRIPLE MAN-DOWN POWER PLAY!!!
It was unbelievable, seriously.
Meanwhile Gogov was fouled out and Croats tried to score to Rističević from a few centimetres. But at this match nobody could score to Rističević, not even the Almighty Heavenly Father. Rističević saved in triple man-down power play, after this a try from a few centimetres was almost an offense for him.
Then Jakšić scored the biggest troll goal I’ve ever seen. He grabbed the ball and shot it with a twist in his wrist, as if he would be playing ducks and drakes. The ball was dropping on the surface, Mladost’s goalkeeper was sinking with a desperate expression on his face and the ball rolled into the net. (5:4)
Then the opponent equalized again (5:5), but only to give a chance to Manojlović to take us on the lead again. It was awesome, Manojlović was wrestling with an XXL-sized Croatian player in front of the goalmouth. The opponent player was about to drown Manojlović into the water, when the ball dropped next to Partizan’s player. All you could see was a hand appearing from underneath the Croatian player. It grabbed the ball and dropped it into the net. The standing was 6:5.
You get what I mean. Manojlović can score even while being half-drowned. The Croatian player, who was wrestling with him, just looked at the ball in the corner of the net with a confused face.
Then Subotić took advantage of the shock and quickly scored another (7:5). He shot somewhere from the half-line, raising up from the water waist-high and sent a bomber into Mladost’s net. Croatian team reduced the difference about 3 seconds before the end (7:6), but we were still on the lead.
In the last quarter Jakšić came, saw and scored a giant goal (8:6), while Rističević saved with a grin on his face. Mladost players picked themselves together and equalized, but they couldn’t stand against the Steam Roller, however much they tried. Stojanović set back World Peace (9:8), and finally the dot was put to "i" by Mandić (10:8) 11 seconds before the end.