Premijer Liga Round 4 (Regular Season): Split loses to Zadar

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the Premijer Liga and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Split (3-1) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by Zadar (4-0) 84-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Split. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Split 37-23 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Zadar looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Niko Sare (197-2005) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Krsevan Klarica (200-2003) who added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Zadar's coach Stipe Modric used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Nick Johnson (191-1992, college: Arizona) responded with 18 points and 6 assists. Zadar have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Cibona. Split at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with Dinamo and Virtus ZG. Zadar is looking forward to face Dinamo (#3) in Zagreb in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Split will play on the road against Alkar in Sinj and is hoping to win this game.
Zabok has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Samobor (0-4) 79-72. The winners were led by guard Noa Svoboda (190-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 18 points and 5 assists and Manuel Dundovic supported him with 18 points. Zabok's coach Damir Milacic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds by Mislav Brzoja (198-1994, college: Evansville) did not help to save the game for Samobor. Zabok (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with Alkar and Dubrovnik. It was Samobor's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Dubrava. Zabok will play against higher ranked Kvarner (#6) in Rijeka in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Samobor will play at home against Skrljevo (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Premijer Liga top team - Cibona (4-0) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Skrljevo (2-2) 96-89. Lovro Gnjidic fired 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Davor Konjevic produced 23 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Skrljevo's coach Petar Males rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cibona have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Zadar. Newly promoted Skrljevo dropped to the sixth place with two games lost. They share the position with Kvarner. Cibona's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Zagreb Virtus ZG.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Alkar lost to Virtus ZG on the opponent's court 78-83. Dinamo outscored Dubrava in a home game 85-62. Kvarner managed to beat Dubrovnik on the road 91-81.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by Petar Dubelj of Dubrovnik.



Zabok - Samobor 79-72:
Zabok has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Samobor (0-4) 79-72. Samobor was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by guard Noa Svoboda (190-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 18 points and 5 assists and forward Manuel Dundovic (193-2005) supported him with 18 points. Four Zabok players scored in double figures. Zabok's coach Damir Milacic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds by Mislav Brzoja (198-1994, college: Evansville) did not help to save the game for Samobor. American power forward Brandon Garrett (206-1990, college: Murray St.) added 14 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Zabok (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with Alkar and Dubrovnik. It was Samobor's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Dubrava. Zabok will play against higher ranked Kvarner (#6) in Rijeka in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Samobor will play at home against Skrljevo (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Samobor: M.Brzoja 19+14reb, G.Burns 17+2reb+3ast, B.Garrett 14+7reb+2ast, M.Kresic 7+4reb+1ast, M.Kos 5+2reb+1ast, U.Tin 4+1reb+2ast
Zabok: M.Dundovic 18+4reb+2ast, S.Noa 18+1reb+5ast, T.Toni 16+1reb+4ast, C.Dino 12+3reb+1ast, B.Luka 8+1reb+1ast, A.Crnjevic 4+7reb

Skrljevo - Cibona 89-96:
Premijer Liga top team - Cibona (4-0) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat fifth ranked Skrljevo (2-2) 96-89. Cibona looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international guard Lovro Gnjidic (197-2001) fired 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. ex-international Roko Badzim (194-1997) chipped in 22 points. Forward Davor Konjevic (197-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds and ex-international swingman Fran Pilepic (194-1989) added 21 points respectively for lost side. Four Cibona and five Skrljevo players scored in double figures. Skrljevo's coach Petar Males rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cibona have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Zadar. Newly promoted Skrljevo dropped to the sixth place with two games lost. They share the position with Kvarner. Cibona's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Zagreb Virtus ZG.
Top scorers:
Skrljevo: D.Konjevic 23+5reb+1ast, F.Pilepic 21+4reb+1ast, T.Jelenkovic 12+1reb+9ast, A.Robertson 11+9reb+1ast, P.Jambrovic 10+7reb+3ast, B.Nsiah 9+5reb+3ast
Cibona: B.Roko 22+4reb+2ast, G.Lovro 22+5reb+6ast, S.Antonio 12+4reb, H.Kamaka 11+8reb+2ast, B.Vigo 10+4reb+2ast, S.Renato 7+6reb+3ast

Virtus ZG - Alkar 83-78:
Rather expected game in Zagreb where 8th ranked Alkar (1-3) was defeated by fifth ranked Virtus ZG (3-1) 83-78 on Sunday. Virtus ZG made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game, while Alkar only scored four points from the stripe. The former international swingman Filip Kruslin (198-1989) fired 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Center Kristijan Krajina (208-1990, college: Mt.St.Mary's, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. American point guard Terrell Burden (178-2000, college: KSU) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 assists and forward Ante Brzovic (208-2000, college: Charleston) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Alkar's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Virtus ZG moved-up to third place, which they share with Split and Dinamo. Loser Alkar keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Dubrovnik and Zabok. Virtus ZG's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Cibona.
Top scorers:
Alkar: P.Marcinkovic 17+4reb+2ast, T.Burden 15+2reb+11ast, A.Brzovic 14+11reb+1ast, V.Granic 12+7reb, J.Mirko 9+5reb+1ast, F.Sisko 5+2reb+4ast
Virtus ZG: K.Filip 23+5reb+8ast, K.Kristijan 18+14reb+1ast, P.Filip 15+4reb+3ast, B.Delvin 14+6reb+2ast, P.Lovre 8+4reb, K.Mate 2+5ast

Split - Zadar 73-84:
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Split (3-1) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by Zadar (4-0) 84-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Split. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Split 37-23 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Zadar looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Niko Sare (197-2005) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Krsevan Klarica (200-2003) who added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Five Zadar players scored in double figures. Zadar's coach Stipe Modric used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Nick Johnson (191-1992, college: Arizona) responded with 18 points and 6 assists and Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kacinas (203-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) scored 16 points. Zadar have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Cibona. Split at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with Dinamo and Virtus ZG. Zadar is looking forward to face Dinamo (#3) in Zagreb in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Split will play on the road against Alkar in Sinj and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Split: N.Johnson 18+3reb+6ast, M.Kacinas 16+3reb+3ast, D.Bajo 11+1reb+1ast, T.McLaughlin 8+3reb+2ast, T.Vuko 8+4reb, M.Rebec 7+3reb+3ast
Zadar: S.Niko 17+5reb+6ast, W.Ross 14+4reb, R.Marko 12+4reb+1ast, K.Krsevan 11+5reb+5ast, D.Dario 10+6reb+4ast, O.Mark 8+6reb+1ast

Dinamo - Dubrava 85-62:
Very predictable result in Zagreb where fourth ranked Dinamo (3-1) smashed bottom-ranked Dubrava (0-4) 85-62 on Saturday. Dinamo dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Dubrava's 22. They outrebounded Dubrava 41-27 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Dinamo looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Taye Donald (188-2002, college: Seward County, agency: Players Group) fired 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winners. ex-international Matej Rudan (208-2001) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Five Dinamo players scored in double figures. The former international Karlo Uljarevic (190-1998, agency: AltusBasket) produced 18 points and power forward Pavao Paic (205-1998) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Dinamo moved-up to third place, which they share with Split and Virtus ZG. Loser Dubrava still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Samobor. Dinamo will meet league's second-placed Zadar on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Dubrava will play against Dubrovnik (#8) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Dubrava: K.Uljarevic 18+3reb+2ast, P.Paic 12+6reb+3ast, M.Klepo 7+1ast, K.Karahodzic 6+4reb+1ast, L.Dixon 6+5reb+1ast, M.Perkovic 5+4reb+1ast
Dinamo: D.Taye 17+7reb+5ast, A.Luke 14+5reb+1ast, R.Matej 13+12reb+1ast, A.Frane 10+4reb+1ast, B.Filip 10+6reb+4ast, V.Mateo 7+2reb+2ast

Dubrovnik - Kvarner 81-91:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Kvarner and 8th ranked Dubrovnik had identical 1-2 record. But Dubrovnik was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Rijeka 91-81 on Saturday night. Kvarner made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international Luka Krajnovic (196-2004, college: Gonzaga) fired 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. point guard Lovre Basic (185-1995, agency: BIG) chipped in 12 points and 8 assists. Petar Dubelj (196-1997, agency: Players Group) produced 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and Montenegrin-Portuguese power forward Marko Loncovic (202-1991) added 12 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Kvarner (2-2) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Skrljevo. Loser Dubrovnik keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Alkar and Zabok. Kvarner will meet at home Zabok (#10) in the next round. Dubrovnik will play against Dubrava in Zagreb and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Dubrovnik: P.Dubelj 18+5reb+7ast, D.Pavin 14+2reb+1ast, M.Loncovic 12+11reb+3ast, L.Andric 11+2reb+1ast, V.Tashovski 11+1reb+2ast, L.Francesevic 9+2ast
Kvarner: K.Luka 16+5reb+6ast, B.Josip 15+1reb, V.Tomislav 14+4reb, J.Martin 13+2reb, B.Marko 12+4reb+3ast, B.Lovre 12+4reb+8ast