Krka - Cedevita Olimpija
Cedevita Olimpija is one win away from claiming their fifth consecutive and 22nd overall Slovenian Championship title. The team will aim to secure the third victory in the finals series against Krka on Saturday at 6:00 PM in Novo Mesto’s Leona Štuklja Sports Hall. The matchup promises to be an exciting contest, characteristic of the longstanding rivalry between these two Slovenian basketball clubs.
Cedevita Olimpija has defeated Krka six times this season—once in the Slovenian Supercup, once in the Spar Cup final, twice in the regular season of the regional league, and twice in the finals series. A seventh victory, the third in the finals, would secure Cedevita Olimpija’s 22nd Slovenian Championship title and their fifth finals triumph over Krka. Krka, meanwhile, is aiming for their eighth championship title, their first since 2014.
Should a fourth game be necessary, it will take place on Monday at 6:00 PM in Stožice Arena, with a potential fifth game scheduled for Thursday at 6:00 PM in Novo Mesto.
TV BROADCAST:
The game will be broadcast on Šport TV 1, with links to online streams available below.
PRE-GAME QUOTES:
“We’re playing in the finals, so there’s not much to overthink. Fatigue is noticeable, but we can’t dwell on it. We lead 2:0, but the series isn’t over. We’re heading to Novo Mesto with the goal of closing out the series. Krka has shown resilience throughout the season and never gives up. We’ll need to stay fully focused to secure the win,” said Aleksej Nikolić ahead of the third finals game.
“I’m happy to have gotten playing time in the second game; it’s a great experience to play in the finals. Growing up, I followed the rivalry between the Ljubljana and Novo Mesto clubs to some extent, watching games on TV with my father. I believe we can beat Krka on Saturday and win the championship. We’ve shown our quality in the first two games, and if we maintain that level, we’ll have a chance to celebrate the victory and the title,” said young player Mark Morano Mahmutovič, who played just under 12 minutes in the second game in Stožice, contributing two points, one rebound, and one assist.
GAME PREVIEW:
Cedevita Olimpija secured victories in the first two games by maintaining composure in critical moments. Despite the absence of head coach Zvezdan Mitrović, who served a two-game suspension, as well as players Devin Robinson, DJ Stewart, and Andrija Stipanović, the Ljubljana team won a close game in Novo Mesto on Tuesday, 75:73, and followed it with a 77:70 victory in Stožice on Thursday.
In the second game in Ljubljana, Krka started strongly, but Cedevita Olimpija took control before the end of the first quarter. Although Krka briefly regained the lead at times, Cedevita Olimpija capitalized on key moments in the final quarter, building a lead of up to 14 points and securing the win.
Top scorers in the second game were Aleksej Nikolić for Cedevita Olimpija and Jan Špan and Niko Bacvić for Krka, each with 17 points. Cedevita Olimpija’s captain Jaka Blažič added 14 points.
In the first game in Novo Mesto, Krka mounted a comeback in the final stages and had a chance to tie the game, but Cedevita Olimpija held on for the win despite struggling with free throws in the closing moments.
Krka’s Robert Jurković led with 13 points, followed by Jan Špan and Miha Cerkvenik with 11 each, and Kendall Robinson with 10. For Cedevita Olimpija, Aleksej Nikolić and Gregor Glas each scored 13 points, Jaka Blažič added 11, and Joan Beringer contributed 10.
OTP BANKA LEAGUE, FINALS
GAME 3
Leona Štuklja Sports Hall (Novo Mesto, Slovenia), Saturday, June 7, 6:00 PM:
KRKA – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA (TV broadcast on Šport TV) [0:2]*
GAME 4**
Stožice Arena (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Monday, June 9, 6:00 PM:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – KRKA (free entry)
GAME 5**
Leona Štuklja Sports Hall (Novo Mesto, Slovenia), Thursday, June 12, 6:00 PM:
KRKA – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA
*Score in wins. Series played to three wins.
**If necessary, fourth and fifth games.
PREVIOUSLY PLAYED:
GAME 1
Leona Štuklja Sports Hall (Novo Mesto, Slovenia), Tuesday, June 3:
KRKA – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 73:75 (23:26, 15:19, 19:12, 16:18)
Cedevita Olimpija: Radović 7 (6 rebounds), Nikolić 13, Glas 13, Blažič 11 (5 rebounds), Beringer 10 (5 rebounds), Jones, Lemar 9, Morano Mahmutovič, Lazarevski, Tasić 8 (6 rebounds), Prepelič, Daneu 4.
STATISTICS
PHOTO GALLERY
MORE ABOUT THE GAME
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
GAME 2
Stožice Arena (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Thursday, June 5:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – Krka 77:70 (25:17, 9:16, 25:20, 18:17)
Cedevita Olimpija: Jones 8 (5 rebounds), Glas 6, Lemar 9, Beringer 6 (7 rebounds), Tasić 9 (6 rebounds, 5 assists), Radović 5, Nikolić 17, Blažič 14 (5 rebounds), Morano Mahmutovič 2, Lazarevski, Prepelič 1, Daneu.
STATISTICS
PHOTO GALLERY
MORE ABOUT THE GAME
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
