Intense Bokeljski Derby Set as Jadran Faces Primorac

The first Bokeljski derby of the season will take place on October 7, 2023, at 20:00 at the Škver pool in Kotor, where Jadran MTEL will host their fierce rivals, Primorac, in the sixth round of the Premier Regional League. This matchup is crucial for both teams, as Jadran currently holds a one-point advantage over Primorac, following a recent victory against Novi Beograd in the Champions League.

Jadran secured a vital win on October 4, edging out Novi Beograd 12-11. This victory came as a strong response to their previous defeat against Šabac, where they lost 12-10. Coach Strahinja Gojković highlighted the significance of the upcoming match, stating, “The game against Primorac is very important, and we expect it to be quite tough. We aim for three points to solidify our place among the top four teams in the standings.”

Players Set for a High-Stakes Showdown

Strahinja Gojković, a seasoned player and now the team’s coach, emphasized the importance of the derby. Meanwhile, Stefan Vidović, who has played many Bokeljski derbies as a member of Jadran, will be on the opposing side for the first time. Vidović expressed his excitement, saying, “The Bokeljski derby is one of the most beautiful matches to play, and I am delighted to be part of it again.”

This season, Jadran has recorded four wins in the Premier League, two of which were secured through penalties. Their recent loss to Šabac allowed the Serbian team to leapfrog them in the standings, placing Jadran third, tied on points with Radnički.

Gojković acknowledged the team’s need to overcome mistakes made in past matches, stating, “We slipped up against Šabac last week; such errors cannot happen again. I urge all our supporters to come and back us.”

Primorac Seeks Redemption

On the other hand, Primorac is currently facing a challenging phase, having lost their last three matches. In the Champions League, they fell to Oradea with a score of 14-7 and to Ferencváros 26-15. In between those fixtures, they also suffered a 13-7 defeat to Radnički in the Premier League. With only a point separating them from Jadran and Radnički, the pressure is mounting.

Vidović pointed out the tough road ahead, saying, “We are in a series of demanding away games, as we will play against Brescia in Italy after this match. Jadran is performing exceptionally well this season, having defeated several strong teams, so we certainly anticipate a very challenging match. We have tried to prepare as thoroughly as possible for the derby and hope for a positive outcome.”

The intensity of the Bokeljski derby is sure to provide an engaging spectacle for water polo fans, as both teams vie for crucial points in the league. With the stakes high and players eager to prove themselves, the atmosphere at the Škver will undoubtedly be electric.

As the third Montenegrin team in the Premier Regional League, Budućnost will also be in action, facing Partizan on Sunday at 18:00. This weekend promises to be filled with thrilling matchups in Montenegrin water polo.