The volleyball players of Ribola Kaštela have decided to make at least one more trip to Zagreb this season. In a thrilling five-set battle on home court, they edged past Dinamo Zagreb 3:2 (21:25, 25:20, 22:25, 26:24, 15:12), leveling the semifinal series at 1-1. Dinamo had convincingly won the first match 3:0. The decisive third game will be played on Saturday, April 12 at 20:30 CET in Zagreb’s SD Peščenica.
Dinamo stormed through the first set, showing dominance early, while the hosts only kept pace until 9:9. Ribola answered in the second, but Dinamo reclaimed control in the third. The fourth set was a nail-biter—Dinamo had two match points at 24:22, but Ribola mounted a dramatic comeback with a 4-point run to take it 26:24 and push the match into a fifth set.
The final set showcased the very best of volleyball intensity. Dinamo led 5:2, then Ribola flipped it to 6:5. Dinamo again surged to 9:6, but another fierce rally saw Ribola soar ahead 12:9. In a gritty, point-by-point finish, the Kaštela squad clinched the victory with a 15:12 scoreline.
Coach Mario Teppert of Ribola Kaštela calmly reflected after the match:
“A good and intense game. We showed quality and deserved the win. Yes, we lost many points in streaks, but that doesn’t matter now. This win gives us the chance to fight for a spot in the final in Zagreb. It’s a boost of confidence and proof we can stand toe-to-toe with the best.”
In the other semifinal, Mladost, reigning Croatian champions, secured their place in the final by defeating Brda 3:1 (25:10, 25:18, 23:25, 25:16) in Split, wrapping up the series in just 104 minutes.
Mladost dominated the opening two sets, with Brda only leading briefly at 3:2 in the second. However, a dip in focus allowed Brda to snatch the third set with a 5-point streak. But Mladost quickly regained control in the fourth, sealing the win with confidence and earning their spot in yet another final.
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