May 20, 2021 - As expected, RK NEXE defeated second division team Slatina with a convincing 25:41 and advanced to the semifinal of the Croatian Handball Cup.

The final tournament will be played in Poreč from June 18 to 20, and in addition to RK NEXE, two other semifinalists are known - PPD Zagreb, which defeated Vinkovci's Spačva, and Sesvete, who celebrated away in Poreč. The fourth participant in the final tournament will be the winner of the duel Balić-Metličić - Dubrava.

Last night's visit to Slatina was supposed to be a handball holiday, but the pandemic still took its toll, so this game was played in front of empty stands. The beginning belonged to NEXE, which led 4-0 in the first four minutes and actually showed the hosts how the game would go. Despite the huge difference in quality, a very good young home team skillfully used all the opportunities given to them and managed to score 15 goals by the break (15:24).

Coach Branko Tamše rotated the players again on several occasions, making changes to the complete lineups. In the continuation of a similar story, the physical superiority of Našice and the young rhythm of Slatina could not match. If we consider that apart from competing in the Cup, they are not competing, the resistance they offered to the Croatian runner-up was more than solid.

Slobodan Kadic

The match ended with a convincing 25:41, and the set goal was achieved - placement in the Cup final, but coach Branko Tamše was still very dissatisfied with the approach and commitment of some of his players.

"Last night, the local handball players finished their very good performance in this season's Croatian Cup, they have to wait for the decision on the continuation of the competition in the Second Croatian Handball League - East. As their coach Viktor Freihaut pointed out, for years, they have been at the top with direct aspirations for placement in the First Croatian Handball League."

NEXE will briefly put aside the Croatian Cup competition and return to the final of the domestic championship. In the 4th round of the Package24 of the Premier League - Champions League on Saturday, NEXE will play in Varaždin. The match against Dabrovo will be played starting at 7 pm with a live TV broadcast on Planet Sport.

Source: RK NEXE

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