KK DepoLink Škrljevo – BC Komárno 69:76 (16:18, 17:20, 20:20, 16:18)
Referees: Grbić, Palčić, Smolej
Attendance: 100
Venue: Mavrinci Hall, Škrljevo
Scorers – Škrljevo: Barišič 20, Jelič 14, Bart 8, Antunović 7, Kujundžić and Rajčić each 6, Butorac, Svoboda, Smojver and Obukwelu each 2, Bešić and Ramme 0
Scorers – Komárno: Stuckey 17, Marković 15, Skvašik 12, Vicentić 11, Foltín 9, Danielič 6, Dolník, Volárik and Podojak each 2, Šimko 0
Both teams opened the match defensively, the Greens waited three minutes for the first points, after the guests stopped Jelić under the basket, and then Antunović with a double. There were misses on both sides, and Antunović and Barišić broke the monotony of the game with a good action in the middle of the quarter (6:4), so that the visitors turned the score around with a mini series in which they incorporated two three-pointers (8:11). The hosts, on the other hand, had a bit worse shooting for three points in the first half, But then they defended Komarnó’s “pick and roll” well, after which Rajčić and Barišić scored the hosts’ first three-pointers – 24:21. Škrljevo’s lead lasted for about four minutes, when Vićentić scored five points (30:33), while the Greens made a few mistakes and allowed the best scorer of the Slovaks, the American Stuckey, an easy shot for three points (31:36). Komárno went to the big break with a five-point advantage.
The guests held that advantage in the opening four minutes of the second half, after which captain Škrljevo Marijo Rajčić suffered a serious ankle injury. It seems that this also disturbed coach Rajković’s team, because after Jelić and Barišić on the wings managed to take a minimal lead twice, at the end of the third period the game went in one direction. Skvašik first lined up two three-pointers (50:56), and then the guests took a nice lead with an 8:0 series at the end of the third and the beginning of the last quarter – 53:64. Newly arrived player Komárno Marković scored a three-pointer in the 36th minute of the game to bring his team to “plus 14” (55:69). Škrljevo only managed to reduce the gap until the end.
Post-game quotes:
Damir Rajković, coach of Škrljevo: “In the end, Komárno deserved to win. We wanted that win and we wanted to step up the level in the Alpe Adria Cup with that 2nd home win. We played soft, we weren’t playing a stable game and that led to losing this game. We didn’t ”read” the game and they used it very well.”
Martin Jelić, player of Škrljevo: “What to say, tough game to say, at least. We agreed about one thing at the practices and didn’t follow it during the game. We didn’t play as we usually play. Lack of energy and low focus led to losing this game. We need to forget about losing this game, focus and prepare for our next game.”
Zlatko Jovanović, coach of Komárno: “I want to congratulate Škrljevo for a fair and good game and to congratulate my boys. I usually don’t say stuff like this, but we came here without even one practice in the last 5 days because of COVID. We came here without one of our best players, Luka Gašić because of injuries and illness. Big win for us! I want all the best for our opponents future championship.”
Dušan Vicentić, player of Komárno: “First of all, I want to congratulate my team and of course our opponent. It was a good and tough game, a real ”man” game. For us, it was a very important game because we had some changes in the locker room like me and Miljan Marković. We needed this experience for the future championship. I want all the best for our opponents future championship.”
