Zadar's basketball players were the winners of the 6th Liburnia Cup in 2026. In the final, held in Opatija, they defeated the Slovenian side Ilirija 83-56, concluding their preparations for the new season.
Zadar reached the final with a victory over Š in the semi-finals. Niko Š was named the tournament's MVP, while Vladimir Mihailović was included in the competition's all-star five.
The first half passed with both teams playing evenly, though Zadar spent more time in the lead. Vučić had nine points in the first half. By the end of the third quarter, Zadar had a 10-point lead (55-45).
In the final quarter, Š and Mihailović dominated, finishing as the game's top scorers with 17 points each. Š also recorded nine rebounds. Vučić finished the match with 12 points, Drežnjak with 10, while Vraneš recorded seven points and 11 rebounds. For the Ilirija side, the best performer was Todorović with 16 points.
The result by quarter was 18:19, 18:15, 19:11 and 28:11. For Zadar, the players were Mihailović 17, Mirčeta, Williams 7, Vučić 12, Klarica 9, Drežnjak 10, Buljević 4, Vraneš 7, Š 17 and Bičić, with the team led by coach Stipe Modrić. Ilirija was represented by Gabrijel 2, Č, Todorović 16, Mari 4, Fagel 3, Hrb 5, Hrg, Hdr 6, Sh 11, Jones 8, C and B 1, with coach G. O. in attendance.
This match concluded the preparations for the new season, which begins next weekend in the ABA League and the SuperSport Premier League. The team will be joined in Zagreb by the injured captain Marko Ramljak and new player Mark Ogden.
