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Split players got two salaries, Zabok registered Bagaric

Split's backcourt is very good for this level of competition, while Bagaric, on the other hand, is expected to cause them many problems in the paint

In the first round of A1 men basketball league, home court in Zagorje proved to be a fortress difficult to conquer and so the team from Baranja were forced to return home with their heads bowed. Right from the beginning of the match, the hosts from Zabok enforced their style of play and it was already clear after the end of first quarter in which direction the match will go. They've built their advantage mostly thru shootingly exhilarated Ivan Svoboda, last season's captain in Krizevac's team, along with Antonio Vlaic and the margin already stood at difficult to reach 14 points at the half time.

In the remaining part of the match the team from Zagorje controlled the match calmly, and the guests who arrived with just ten players were never in position to jeopardize home team's victory. At the end of the third quarter the result was 60-44, and at one moment in the final quarter Zabok were leading by 30 points against Darda.

The most efficient players for home team were already earlier mentioned Ivan Svoboda with 18 points and Antonio Vlaic who added 15.

- Our opponent was tailor made, not too easy and not too difficult. We're travelling calmly to Split, and Bagaric is also in the team, whose paperwork is now completed and he's registered for the match. If my players manage to play like they did against Darda, we'll have a huge opportunity to remain undefeated - said coach Dragutin Crnjevic.

Split have suffered heavy defeat in Rijeka in the first round.

- This is our first home match, we're not fully ready and we’re practically still preparing for the season even though the season has already started. Despite all, I can promise to the fans that they will see new and better Split. We'll grow from one match to the next. Heavy defeat hasn't shaken us or took us by surprise. We entered in strong rhythm of trainings, and on Wednesday we played a friendly match against Sibenik. It can be said that we have an imperative to win this match, we respect our opponent, but if we show enough fighting spirit I believe that we'll run out winners in the end - said coach Nazor.

Split players got two outstanding salaries, while the accumulated debts of course remained.

Split's backcourt is very good for this level of competition, while Bagaric, on the other hand, is expected to cause them many problems in the paint. Zabok are extremely home preferring team and it remains to be seen how they will react to a difficult away game.

I think that this margin of only couple of points is too low, Split don't have a center, they are stretched too thin under the rim and they will have to force faster play. They have a very solid backcourt for the conditions of today's game, Subotic, Mimica and Siriscevic are players good enough for A1 league. They have scored only 64 points in Rijeka without scoring one 3 pointer, I think that this cannot be repeated today, they have received two salaries and I think that the most experienced Split players will show a lot more in front of their fans at the home court. They cannot defend anything or anyone, lack of height under the rim is this team's biggest problem, Bagaric will make his debut today and he should wreak havoc underneath the basket, Zabok has a couple of solid shooters from outside while a defense is not their stronger point either. I think they will go over this margin without big problems with a normal shooting percentage, just as they did ,after all, in 4 out of 5 last duels with this team.