The tradition continues! Vardar 1961 won another match in the SEHA - Gazprom League against PPD Zagreb. But, the answer to the question on which team will play in the Final 4 tournament in Zadar will be decided after the second match which will be played in five days. Vardar won 24:20 (14:12) in the most interesting match of SEHA Quarter-Final and are one step closer to their tenth Final 4 appearance.

'Red & Black' fans returned to the stands in SC 'Jane Sandanski' after a one-year break, and welcomed Ivan Cupic with applause, who was a part of Vardar for a long time.

The home team took the lead early with two goals at the start of the match. They kept the difference alive until the very end of the first half. It was a classic 'goal for goal' match which resulted with a two-goal Vardar lead at the break. Zagreb equalized twice in the last five minutes, but Ante Kuduz and Timur Dibirov scored two goals and brought an advantage for the home team.

Uncertainty remained in the second half, but Vardar somehow always held the lead. They started off with two goals and immediately took the lead to four, but Zagreb reduced to 21:20 with five minutes left in the match. Vardar once again displayed excellent style and solved the mystery of the winner in this match. Dibirov and Kuduz were crucial in the closing moments and gave Vardar the four goal difference which will be a major advantage in Zagreb.

Ante Kuduz scored 7 goals in his SEHA debut and Timur Dibirov had his say in this win with the same amount of goals. Guests from Zagreb were led by ex-Vardar player - Ivan Cupic – who scored 8 goals (6 from the penalty spot).

Second Quarter-Final match is scheduled for August 31st in Zagreb.