Slatina handballers won their away fixture in Đakovo 27-24 in the eighth round of the Prva HRL Sjever (First Croatian Handball League North), played over the weekend. They secured victory through a brilliant finish and excellent defensive play.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the hosts heading to the break with a two-goal lead (16-14). Slatina started the second half weakened as Karlo Kligl was serving a suspension. Throughout the match, neither team held a lead greater than two goals.
With just over five minutes remaining, Đakovo led 24-22, but Slatina turned the game around with a run of five consecutive goals. Đakovo could not find a way past Brnada’s net in the closing stages, while Slatina conceded only eight goals in the second half.
Goalkeeper Nikola Brnada recorded 17 saves, while Dominik Sabo and Ante Kaleb scored six goals each. Marko Ćurčić, a new signing for Slatina, added two goals. The team managed by coach Dalibor Sokač sits in fifth place in the league table, four points behind leaders Moslavina and two points behind second-placed Ivanić-Grad and third-placed Požega.
RK Slatina lineup: Ivan Horvat, Noa Fazekaš, Ivan Repić 2, Karlo Kligl 2, Nikola Brnada (17 saves), Igor Dragojević 2, Nikola Vukić, Antonio Butorac, Dominik Sabo 6, Matija Lisinski 3, Benjamin Hankić 1, Marko Ćurčić 2, Ante Kaleb 6, Mario Šomođi 2, Domagoj Orban and Ivan Lukac 1.
Slatina return home next weekend, on 14 November, to host Vidovec at the Sportska dvorana Srednje škole Marka Marulića (Marko Marulić Secondary School Sports Hall).
