Water polo teams Primorje and Jadran Mtela are encountering new challenges in the Champions League, even as the prestigious season nears its conclusion.

With two rounds remaining in the group stage, the Bokele rivals face an uphill battle for a quarterfinal spot, leading both teams to gradually shift their focus towards the upcoming events on November 29 and 30.

During that period, the first trophy of the season will be contested – the final tournament of the Cup of Montenegro, set to take place in Nikšić.

The initial Bokele derby occurred last Friday at Škver, where the Novljani triumphed with a score of 14:13, putting them in a more optimistic state as they prepare for their European engagements.

On Tuesday, Jadran is scheduled to face the formidable Barceloneta at 20:00, while Primorac will encounter Savona in Liguria at 18:15.

“This match is just one of many tough battles in the Champions League. Barceloneta easily defeated us in Trebinje, but these encounters are essential for our young team to develop and gain valuable experience,” remarked Jadran coach Vladimir Gojković.

For Jadran to advance to the quarterfinals, they must secure victories against both Barceloneta and Vasaš in their final home game, relying on Marseille to lose both their remaining matches.

“We will strive to perform our best, maintaining a competitive edge for as long as possible, and I am hopeful that we will emerge from the matchup against Barcelona as a stronger team,” Gojković noted.

Conversely, Primorje’s chances of reaching the knockout stage are slim. After four rounds, they have an equal number of defeats and just two points, having succumbed to Olympiakos in Piraeus and to Sabadell in Kotor.

The Kotor side requires convincing victories to align their results, with their primary aim being to avenge their prior loss against Savona, who had decisively beaten them 18:12 in the ancient city.

“This match presents a promising chance to avenge our significant defeat to the Italians. We managed to keep it close until a key moment when they pulled ahead and rightfully secured the win. We aim to perform well, but it won’t be a walk in the park – Savona is the favorite, and a victory would guarantee our progress. We will put forth our utmost effort and avoid overthinking our strategy,” stated Kotorana captain Draško Brguljan.

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