Croatia – A1 Round 4: KK Zagreb outgun Jolly

Luka Bozic It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in A1, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with change at the leadership position, favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory.The biggest surprise took place in Zagreb where host KK Zagreb (3-1) crushed Jolly (3-1) 85-63 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jolly. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The game without a history. KK Zagreb led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Jolly’s 28. They outrebounded Jolly 36-24 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Point guard Luka Bozic (199-96, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Swingman Pavle Marcinkovic (199-89) chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. KK Zagreb’s coach Daniel Jusup felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Ivan Novacic (201-85, agency: XL Basketball Agency) produced 15 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. KK Zagreb keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 7 other teams including defeated Jolly. Jolly will play next round against strong KK Zadar trying to make it back to the top of the standings. KK Zagreb will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked KK Zabok in Zabok. The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of KK Zadar (3-1) at the home court. Hosts were defeated by KK Split (3-1) 89-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of KK Zadar. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Goran Filipovic (180-96) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 4 assists. Damir Rancic contributed with 18 points for the winners. Guard Mislav Brzoja (198-94, college: Evansville, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for KK Zadar. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. KK Split keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 7 other teams including defeated KK Zadar. KK Split will play against H.Analitica (#13) in Zagreb in the next round which should be an easy win for them. KK Zadar will play on the road against Jolly (#8) in Sibenik and hopes to get back on the winning track. Kvarner can celebrate their first win this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat KK Zabok (1-2) 76-69 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Andrej Stimac who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 7 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). At the losing side Sven Smajlagic responded with 25 points. KK Zabok’s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Kvarner (1-3) left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with Alkar Sinj. KK Zabok at the other side keeps the ninth position with two games lost. Kvarner will meet higher ranked Cibona (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. KK Zabok will play against the league’s second-placed KK Zagreb having rather not much hope for a victory.Seventh ranked GKK Sibenik blasted bottom-ranked H.Analitica (0-4) in Zagreb 92-61. H.Analitica is still unable to win any game. The winners were led by Izzet Turkyilmaz who had that evening a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. GKK Sibenik (3-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 7 other teams. Newly promoted H.Analitica still closes the standings with four games lost. GKK Sibenik’s next round opponent will be KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (#5) at home. H.Analitica will play against KK Split (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked Gorica (0-3) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 88-68 loss to fifth ranked Cedevita (3-1) in Velika Gorica on Friday evening. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. David Stockton fired 19 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Cedevita’s coach Veljko Mrsic used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Cedevita have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 7 other teams. Loser Gorica still closes the standings with three games lost. Cedevita will face bottom-ranked KK Skrljevo (#14) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Gorica will play against Alkar Sinj and looks forward to get finally their first victory.In the last two games of round 4 Alkar Sinj was defeated by Vrij.Osijek in a road game 76-69. Winless Skrljevo was beaten by Cibona at home 74-92. Zadar – KK Split 84-89The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of KK Zadar (3-1) at the home court. Hosts were defeated by KK Split (3-1) 89-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of KK Zadar. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It looked good early as KK Zadar took a 4-point small lead at the end of first quarter. But then KK Split had a 19-11 second period charge getting the lead and KK Zadar was not able to take back game control losing it eventually 84-89. KK Split made 20-of-25 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 KK Zadar turnovers. Strangely KK Zadar outrebounded KK Split 35-19 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. KK Zadar was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Goran Filipovic (180-96) who helped to win the game recording 21 …

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