PPD Zagreb have in SEHA Gazprom League's first round managed to harder than expected reach a victory in Croatian derby against NEXE. In the end 25:23 (14:17).

'Lions' have opened the match better soonly reaching 5:2 lead and then it seemed like they have shifted into a lower gear. Guests have managed to take control of the match in the middle of the first half creating series to reach +5 lead with less than 5 minutes to go in the first half. However, Zagreb have managed to come a bit closer and finish the first half with 3 goal deficit. 

In the second part hosts have started playing better mainly in defence but that was not enough to reach the lead until 5 minutes before the final whistle. In the end Zagreb's tight defence led by Šušnja has managed to slow NEXE's backs a bit allowing them to catch a lead and in the end an important victory.

Zrnić scored 4 for NEXE, Eter and Nenadić have added 3 each. Horavt was on the other side Zagreb's best scorer with 5 goals. Stepančić scored 4 and Ivan Stevanović was remarkable in the second half with 8 decisive saves.

NEXE will in the next round travel to Novi Sad and Zagreb will go to Brest.

Veselin Vujović, PPD Zagreb's coach:

Draw would have probably been the most realistic result after a match like tis. They were better in the first half and we were in the second. In the end we've managed to use some of their mistakes and reach the victory. They've played good in defence especially on our right back and that's what we still have to work on.

Luka Šebetić, PPD Zagreb's player:

NEXE have played an outstanding first half, it was really hard to even be on the court when we were 5 goals down. That surely is an additional reason for us to be happy about this win. We have to learn some things from this match and prepare in the best possible way for the match against Meshkov.

Zdenko Kordi, NEXE's coach:

I'd like to congratulate Zagreb on a victory but also to my players on one of our best matches so far. We've played a really good first half, in great tempo and unfortunately we were not able to repeat it in second 30 minutes. By that it was to expect for Zagreb to rise and I can say I am pretty satisfied with the match.

Vedran Zrnić, NEXE's player:

This was an important match for us, to show us we can play a competitive match against Zagreb. It was hard to play here today. We were good in first 30 minutes and not quite on that level in the second half which has decided the match. However, it is great that we have a derby, an interesting match and now we just have to continue working and rising our form.