The opening chapter of the Bokele derbies, which promises to be plentiful this season, was claimed by the water polo team of Jadran Mtela.

The pool at Škver was lively with splashes, showcasing numerous impressive plays, moves, and goals. Ultimately, a single moment proved decisive – Novljan triumphed over Primorac with a score of 14:13, marking their fourth victory in the regional Premier League.

Kotor initiated the match with a remarkable start, leading 4:1 within the first 10 minutes. However, Vladimir Gojković’s team had no intentions of capitulating. In fact, the real battle was just beginning…

Jadran leveled the score at 4:4, then the visitors took a 5:4 lead due to Savo Ćetković’s brilliance, but following a tie at 5:5, the game shifted dramatically – the host team began to dominate, while Primorac’s ongoing struggle with defense became evident this season.

“It was an exciting match, perhaps with an abundance of goals, but it’s clear that both teams are contenders in the Champions League, indicating a rise in club water polo standards. It’s a challenging schedule with matches every three days. I commend the players for bouncing back after the defeat against Marseille, and I congratulate Primorac; it was tense right to the last second. We’ll soon face each other again in the Cup final,” Gojković remarked to RTCG.

The vice-champions of Montenegro maintained a two-goal lead in the second half, while Vjekoslav Pasković’s team closed in to within one point. At the end, they awaited a chance to possibly claim victory but failed to capitalize on it. Dušan Matković’s shot was saved by Darko Đurović just 18 seconds before the final whistle, and Niki Shushiashvili also missed a crucial five-pointer with three minutes remaining…

Consequently, Primorac found themselves with only two wins so far this season across the Premier League and the Champions League, defeating Primorje and then Jug by five.

“We conceded several easy goals in the last quarter. It was genuinely a derby match; we demonstrated a strong desire, which is crucial at this point. I am pleased with that, but we will review where we went wrong and what went right,” Pasković emphasized.

The match highlighted Strahinja Gojković, who was the most prolific scorer with four goals, while Dmitrij Holod and Aleksandar Ivović contributed with three goals each. Uroš Vučurović added two goals, and both Dimitrije Obradović and Danilo Radović found the net once.

For Primorac, Ćetković, Šušijašvili, Matković, and Marko Mršić each scored twice, while Draško Brguljan, Srđan Janović, Đorđije Stanojević, and Balša Vučković scored once.

ADRIATIC – PRIMORAC 14:13 (1:3, 4:2, 6:5, 3:3)

Herceg Novi – Swimming pool “Adriatic”. Referees: Stanojević, Blašković (Croatia). More players: Jadran 12 (5), Primorac 12 (7). Penalties: Jadran 2 (2), Primorac 2 (1).

Jadran: Đurović (nine saves and five), Holod 3, Vučurović 2, Obradović 1, Vujović, D. Radović 1, Lazić, Vujičić, Ivović 3, Sladović, Gojković 4, Matijašević, I. Radović, Stupar.

Primorac: Masaro (12 saves), Brguljan 1, S. Ćetković 2, Šušijašvili 2, Mršić 2, Murišić 1, Matković 2, Janović 1, Vico, Perov, P. Ćetković, Stanojević 1, D. Ćetković, Vučković 1.

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