The past sports weekend featured Hajduk’s male and female volleyball players

In the first round of the second half of the Serbian Second League season, Hajduk’s volleyball players hosted Bavaniste in front of their home fans and recorded their second league win. In a highly dramatic match, Hajduk beat Bavaniste 3:1 in sets. The visitors won the first set 25:20, after which Hajduk won the next three sets by narrow margins—the second 28:26, the third 30:28 and the fourth 27:25. Hajduk volleyball coach Milorad Lazić says he is not entirely satisfied with the performance, that there were many errors on both sides, and that the crowd was also a very important factor in helping his team win. This was especially true in the fourth set, when, trailing 24:19, his players managed to turn things around with bold play and secure their toughest win of the season so far. Coach Lazić also praised the Milisavljević–Eraković pairing, whose desire and energy, despite being the youngest players on the court, lifted their teammates and helped them celebrate the win. The improving performances of the other volleyball players are also encouraging, especially that of Gostović, who recovered from injury and was an important link in the match against Bavaniste. Hajduk’s volleyball players are currently eleventh in the standings with 8 points, and will travel to face league leaders Kikinda in the next round.

In the third round of the Vojvodina Cadet Championship, Hajduk’s volleyball players hosted Maglić in Kula. The match was very important, as a win would secure Hajduk a place in the round of 16. Vuk Malenica’s players did not succumb to the psychological pressure; they played very well and defeated Maglić 3:0, with set scores of 25:15, 25:13 and 25:18, thus securing a place in the round of 16 of the Vojvodina Cadet Championship.

Hajduk’s basketball players also enjoyed a successful weekend. In the 12. first round of the second half of the First Regional League of Serbia season, Hajduk visited Sremska Mitrovica, where they defeated Podrinje from Mačvanska Mitrovica 84:81, only after five minutes of overtime, as the game was tied at the end of regulation, 71:71. Hajduk coach Danilo Borović says his players approached the first half as if it were an unimportant game, and Podrinje won that period 36:25. However, after a talk in the locker room, the “hajduks” improved their play in the second half, overcame a 12-point deficit, took the game into overtime, and then deservedly celebrated. Đurović, Tešović, and Rnić were absent against Podrinje. Coach Borović is pleased with the character his team showed in the second half, which is significant because Hajduk will be away again in the next round, facing league leaders Joker in Sombor in the season’s derby.

In the 12 round of the Serbian First Regional League, Sivac’s women’s basketball team lost 86:45 at home to Radnički from Obrenovac; the halftime score was 43:21 in Radnički’s favor. Sivac’s defeat was expected, as Radnički from Obrenovac are top of the standings and have won every game so far this season. Sivac’s women’s basketball team are currently fifth in the standings with 17 points, and will travel to face Titel in the next round.

Our other sports clubs used the weekend to test how well their preparations have gone so far.

Our handball Super League teams, Crvenka and Sivac 69, were in action. Crvenka hosted Hercegovac from Gajdobra in Ruski Krstur and won the match 36:31. Crvenka handball coach Miloš Mitrović is pleased, as his players’ effort and running were at a satisfactory level, and, as usual, all players were given a chance. Sivac 69 traveled to Novi Bečej, where they played Jedinstvo. The hosts, handball team Jedinstvo, won 37:29. Sivac coach Branko Žeželj says his players performed very well in the first half, as the tied score of 17:17 shows, but not so well in the second, indicating there is room for improvement. Kalić, Slavuljica and Džabasan were absent from the Sivac team in Novi Bečej. The next test of readiness for Crvenka and Sivac’s handball players will be their head-to-head match, to be played in Sivac on Wednesday, starting at 19.

Yesterday, as part of their preparations for the spring half of the season, Hajduk’s footballers played a friendly against Bajša at the TSC Football Academy grounds in Bačka Topola. It was an entertaining match that ended in a 3:3 draw. Potkozarac, Vlaisavljević, and Šakić scored for Hajduk. Hajduk’s next fitness test will be on 12. February, when they visit Bečej. Rusin, a member of the Sombor District League, and Kula, the leaders of the first division of the Sombor Intermunicipal League, faced off yesterday in Ruski Krstur. Although Rusin took the lead through Sušić, Kula’s footballers improved in the second half and went on to record a convincing 5:1 victory. Ivan scored twice for Kula, with Bodiš, Vojnović, and Jovanović also scoring. Rusin’s next friendly will be on Sunday, when they visit OFK Odžaci, while Kula will play Mladost in Kruščić. Polet defeated Kordun from Kljajićevo 2:0 in a local derby in Sivac. Romić and Vukašinović scored. Sivac will have two tests next weekend: first, they will play Sutjeska in Bačko Dobro Polje on Saturday, then host Đurđin in Sivac on Sunday. Crvenka’s footballers were due to play a friendly against BSK from Bački Brestovac yesterday, but the visitors called before the match to say they would not come. Crvenka’s first fitness test will therefore be on Sunday, when they host Njegoš from Lovćenac.

Đ. Bojanić