Sports roundup

With their win in the fifth round of the Super B League championship, Crvenka’s handball players took over the top spot. The “Squirrels” beat league newcomers Hercegovac from Gajdobra 32:29 last night in front of their home fans; halftime 17:13. The first ten minutes of the match were evenly contested, but at one point the visitors from Gajdobra, whose team includes three former Crvenka players—goalkeeper Karavezić, winger Mirić and center back Radonjić—built a two-goal lead and went ahead 6:4. Crvenka then went on a 4:0 run, taking the lead, which had grown to five goals by the 25 minute—13:8—before they went into the break leading 17:13 after playing with composure. They maintained that advantage, with only minor fluctuations, in the second half and deservedly celebrated their fourth consecutive win. Crvenka’s top scorers were Čabrilo with 8 goals and Bošković with 7, but Crvenka goalkeeper Luka Pavćević was named player of the match. Crvenka are top of the Super B League standings with 9 points, and in the next round they visit Kolubara in Lazarevac.

Our other Super League team, Sivac 69, lost 32:27 to hosts Smederevo away in Smederevo; halftime 17:17. Sivac handball coach Branko Žeželj was unable to count on experienced back Slavljuljica and goalkeeper Vlaović for the match against Smederevo. The first half was mostly goal for goal, until in the 29 minute Sivac took a 17:16 lead with a goal by Čabaj, but the hosts managed to equalize, and the teams went into the break level. Sivac’s handball players opened the second half with a goal to take the lead, but then Smederevo went on a 6:0 run, gaining a five-goal advantage and leading 23:18 in the 39 minute. Sivac’s players came within two goals on several occasions, but they did not have enough strength to complete the comeback. Sivac handball coach Branko Žeželj says that despite the defeat he is not dissatisfied with his players’ performance, as they remained in contention for almost 50 minutes of the match and showed they can compete on equal terms with anyone. The defeat was down to Sivac’s handball players missing many clear chances, as well as refereeing that was not up to the standard of the match. Sivac’s top scorer was Žegarac with 7 goals. Sivac’s handball players are currently eleventh in the standings with two points, and in the next round they host the Belgrade Lions.

In the fourth round of the First League championship for women’s handball, Sivac’s women’s handball club Krule recorded its first win. Playing in front of their home fans and led by an in-form Jadranka Bikicki, the women from Sivac beat Proleter from Zrenjanin 31:29. Krule had built a five-goal lead by halftime and managed to hold on to it until two minutes before the 57 minute, when the score was 31:26, but they then stalled in the closing stages, allowing the visitors to reduce the margin of defeat. Krule’s top scorer was Jadranka Bikicki, who scored eleven goals. Our other First League team, Crvenka’s Laki, had a bye in the fourth round because their opponent, Ravangrad from Sombor, withdrew from the competition. After four rounds, Laki are sixth and Krule seventh, with two points each. In the fifth round, Laki host Spartak from Debeljača in Crvenka, while Krule visit Mladost in Srpska Crnja.

Hajduk’s footballers were beaten by hosts Bečej, 2:1, in their away match in the 11 round of the Vojvodina group of the Serbian League; the half-time score was 1:1. Hajduk faced their longtime sporting rivals with an incomplete squad: goalkeeper Simonović, Velkovski, Jović, Šakić and Brborić were absent due to injuries and suspensions, which was certainly a handicap. Hajduk head coach Željko Račić said that the match in Bečej was a fair contest, with three fine goals, and that the happier hosts deserved their win in the end because they had a couple more chances than Hajduk and converted two of them, while his players managed just one. Kočiš scored Hajduk’s goal in Bečej. Hajduk are currently eleventh in the standings with 14 points, and in the next round they will visit Podunavac in Boleć.

In round 11 of the Sombor District League, the most convincing victory was achieved by Crvenka’s footballers, who beat Polet from Karavukovo 8:0 in front of their home crowd, with a halftime score of 2:0. The result says it all: it was a cat-and-mouse game, and Crvenka’s players’ undeniable quality was crowned with eight goals, scored by three players: Milan Subotić and Radojica Jovanović, who each scored a hat trick, and Filip Faćola, who scored twice.

Rusín of Ruski Krstur also had a successful outing, beating hosts Borac 3:1 away in Obrovac. The match was decided in the first half. The home team took the lead in the eighth minute, but Rusín quickly hit back, with Sajanković equalizing in the 12 minute. In the 23 minute, Filip Vujović put Rusín ahead with a penalty, and Sajanković scored his second goal—and Rusín's third—in the 41 minute to seal the win for the team from Ruski Krstur. Rusín coach Zlatko Sajanković said he was pleased with the win, which could have been more convincing, as his players missed 4-5 clear chances. While Crvenka and Rusín lived up to expectations, Lipar disappointed, losing 1:0 to Budućnost of Mladenovo in front of their own fans. Lipar were short-handed, as Delić, Kovač and Žuža were absent due to red cards. The visitors came with a clear plan to threaten Lipar on the counterattack from a defensive wall set up in front of their goal. Their task was made easier when Lipar player Ćovin was sent off in the 65 minute, and Budućnost capitalized on their numerical advantage with a late goal. Rusín are currently second in the standings with 28, Crvenka are fourth with 23, and Lipar are fifth with 22 points. In the twelfth round, Rusín host Borac of Bački Gračac, Crvenka visit Budućnost in Parage, and Lipar travel to Kordun in Kljajićevo.

With their victory in round 11 of the Sombor Intermunicipal League First Division, Polet’s footballers from Sivac retained their place at the top of the table. In front of their home crowd, Sivac beat Polet from Rastina 6:2. Romić and Zejak scored twice each for Polet, while Vuković and Marko Varga also got on the scoresheet. The other two teams from our municipality in this division were also successful. Kula beat Terekveš 2:1 away in Svilajevo. In a hard-fought, physical match, Kula were by far the better side, but missed four or five good chances to win by a wider margin. Civrić and Davidović scored the goals that earned Kula three points. After a run of seven consecutive defeats, Mladost recorded a win in Kruščić. At home, Kruščić’s team beat Telečka 2:0, with young Kilić scoring twice. Polet are top of the table with 27, Kula are third with 26, and Mladost are eleventh with 7 points. Next round brings a municipal derby: Kula and Polet meet in Kula, while Mladost from Kruščić travel to face Polet in Rastina.

Hajduk's futsal team will host Indians 2013 of Inđija tonight, in the fifth round of the Vojvodina Futsal League championship. The match will begin at the Petefi Brigade Primary School gym tonight at 20 hours and 10 minutes.

Hajduk's basketball players won 87:79 away against Akademik in Srbobran in round 4 of the First Regional League of Serbia – North Group, only after five minutes of overtime, as the score was tied 74:74 at the end of regulation time. Coach Predrag Nogavica's players had the upper hand for three quarters, leading by five at halftime and entering the final quarter with an eleven-point advantage, with the score at 63:52 in Hajduk's favor. However, in the last ten minutes Akademik's determined team managed to catch up. Hajduk's players had 21 second for their final attack, which experienced Đurović finished with a three-point attempt; he missed, and the game went into overtime. Nevertheless, Hajduk's players' quality and experience made the difference, and they secured the win. Coach Predrag Nogavica says the victory is valuable, as few teams will outplay Akademik in Srbobran, that Hajduk's game is improving, and that Neđeljko Bogdanović made the greatest contribution to the win. With three wins and one loss, Hajduk's basketball players share the top spot, and in round five they host Sveti Đorđe from Žitište in front of their home fans.

In the fourth round of the North Group of the Second Regional League, in a municipal derby, Crvenka’s basketball team beat Sivac 86:60 at home. While they had the strength, Sivac’s players were competitive, as shown by the halftime tie at 34:34; however, Crvenka’s players were much better in the second half and went on to win convincingly. So far this season, Crvenka’s basketball team has one win and two losses, while Sivac’s team has lost all four games. In the next round, Crvenka travel to Velika Kikinda, while Sivac have a bye.

Another mixed weekend for the Hajduk Volleyball Club. In the second round of the First Vojvodina League, North group, Hajduk's women's team beat Vrbas 3:0 in a local derby in front of their home crowd, with set scores of 25:18, 25:13 and 25:10. With five points, Hajduk's women are currently second in the standings, and next round they travel to face Vinvolej Subotica. In the second round of the First Vojvodina League, East group, Hajduk's men's team lost 3:1 at home in Kula to Bačka Palanka, with set scores of 17:25, 30:28, 15:25 and 15:25. It should be noted that the Hajduk team is new and young, made up of cadets and pioneers, and put in a courageous performance, but numerous service errors and inexperience contributed to the defeat. After two rounds, Hajduk's men have no points, and in the third round they travel to Novi Sad to face Dunav Volej.

In the sixth round of the Serbian First League – Vojvodina Group, Hajduk’s bowlers lost 6:2 on points to hosts Spartak in Debeljača, and 3328:3295 in total pins knocked down. Hajduk’s points came from Branko Vuksan, who knocked down 578 pins, and Marko Eraković, who knocked down 546 pins. Hajduk’s bowlers are currently eighth in the standings with four points, and in the seventh round they host Železničar from Inđija in Vrbas.

Đ. Bojanić