Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb In Semi-Finals

In a rematch, Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb confirmed entering the Cup Winners Cup by overpowering the Rumanian Constanta.

Zagreb celebrated 31-29 in the crowded Dom sportova sports hall Small hall. They realised the match much better and in the 17^th minute were leading 12-4. They maintained this advantage until half-time, when the score was 18-11. A drop in the game was evident at the beginning of the second half, but Zagreb kept up to five points of advantage. In the 49^th minute, Zagreb lead 28-29, but another drop followed and Constanta reaches a decent defeat 31-29 in the end.

Zagreb payers opened the game excellently, Valcic, Bicanic and Toskic scored in the attack, defence, headed by Somic, functioned well, and in the fifth minute they are already at 4-1. The guests were trying to get a man extra, but this not go their way, what is more, Dragicevic getting excluded gave Zagreb a chance to create an even more significant advantage. With a 5-0 series, the result is 10-3. Nine minute without a shot by Constanta was interrupted by Toma, with a goal in the 16^th minute.

A series of goalkeepers` defences followed, Somic on one hand and Stanescu on the other, a lot of attack mistakes by both teams, but Zagreb maintained an advantage of 6-8 points. They end an excellent first half with scores by Vukic and Horvat with 18-11.

Our players noticeably were more relaxed when the game continued, but at the start of the second half, the guests could not get closer. Until the 47^th minute, Zagreb kept a seven-point advantage 27-20, and then another drop followed. The guests called a time-out. Upon returning to the court, their goalkeeper Stanescu started making miracles. He collected even 13 balls in the second half-time and the Rumanians easily start catching up with Zagreb`s great advantage.

Zagreb players do not score once in eight minutes, water was in ears, Rumanians did a 5-0 series with scores by Timofte, Dragicevic and Muraru, coming to 28-27. Duvnjak`s score eased the situation a bit. Still, the guests did not have enough power to achieve more than an honourable defeat 31-29.

With Zagreb, Vukic was best with 6 shots, while Duvnjak and Horvat score 5. With the guest team, Dragicevic scored eight, Timofte 6.

-We started excellently, and fell again during the second half. We were without a shot for eight minutes, we seemed to be static. Now a rest is in order and we must wait for the lot on Tuesday. Our desire is Bosnia- Duvnjak said.

-I am satisfied with the attack, our defence was good until the 45^th minute, then we fell again, missed a lot of sure shots, water came into our ears. This is the way it goes, this is a young, inexperienced team, lads of 20, making mistakes which they will surely not be making later on – added coach Kljajic.

-On Tuesday our desire in Bosnia, and it would be a good thing to avoid Hamburg. Who ever we get, we will try to win the Cup of cups- concluded Kljajic.