Modriča’s volleyball team will host the defending champion Radnik on Saturday at 6 PM in the second match of the BiH Championship quarterfinal playoff series. With a 1-0 lead in the series, coach Lazo Cvijić’s squad is just one win away from the semifinals—and from causing one of the biggest surprises of the season in men’s volleyball in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Despite the importance of the match, there is no euphoria in the “volleyball town.” Instead, there’s a quiet focus and tension in the air. Modriča has been chasing the title for nearly 20 years, last winning it in the 2005/2006 season, when they defeated Napredak from Odžak in the final. But all attention is now on the crucial clash with Bijeljina’s Radnik, a team described as “a wounded lion”—and therefore, most dangerous.
“Just like now, two seasons ago we made a break against Domaljevac, had a match point for the semifinals at home—and then got eliminated in the third match, the decider,” said coach Lazo Cvijić.
“We don’t want that to happen again. We’ll do everything we can to avoid that scenario. Whether we’ll succeed, we’ll see. We’re training hard and hoping for a favorable result. We’re dealing with some viruses and colds, but I believe the team will be complete on Saturday.”
On the other side, Radnik is playing a do-or-die match. Only a victory keeps their season alive. Head coach Vladimir Milićević, whose team is trying to defend the title, remains hopeful.
“Modriča proved they’re a strong team and know how to take every chance. We played way below our level in the first game, and I’m sure the guys will show that it was just an off day in Bijeljina,” Milićević said.
“If we give our maximum, I believe we can get a better result than in the first match and return the series to our city.”
Ljubinje hosts Domaljevac’s Mečik Ajs
In another quarterfinal matchup, Ljubinje will face Magic Ice Domaljevac on Saturday at 6 PM. Domaljevac leads the series 1-0 and is just one win away from reaching the semifinals. If Ljubinje wins, the deciding match (majstorica) will be played on Wednesday, March 26.
Meanwhile, the second game between Sarajevo’s Bosna and Kakanj 78 was played on Friday night.
Source: Glas Srpske
