After a relatively unspectacular first weekend of resumed SELAF play, second week brings us a potentially very exciting matchup. Reigning Serbian champions Wild Boars travel up north to Novi Sad, where on Sunday they will meet the only side which defeated them in SELAF so far – the Dukes.
The Dukes inflicted a rather surprising defeat upon the Boars last May at their own “Čika Dača” stadium in Kragujevac, becoming so the only Serbian team so far to vanquish Kragujevac`s finest at home. That memories of this triumph still linger within the heads of Dukes` players is obvious, as most of their players approach the following game with a light dose of optimism.
CB Mihailo Babić, one of the Dukes` youngest first squad players, believes his team can go all the way. “If we give 200% of our abilities, we can win all our remaining games and qualify for the finals. All we need is some bravery and faith in ourselves. I know we can do it, we already proved it to the rest – we learned a lot, we improved a lot, and now we have to build upon that and take that momentum into the following season”, said Babić.
TE Mitar Bajčetić, who lead all Dukes in receptions and yards caught, thinks along the same lines. “Regardless of all the misfortunes which followed us – injuries and such – we will do our best and try and reach the finals. We still remember that game in Kragujevac, and we`re aware of what`s coming to us. Nevertheless, we`re in good spirits, and we all believe we can succeed”, said Bajčetić.
Math is much more simple for the Wild Boars` players, as they will likely advance to the final with a win on Sunday. LB Marko Obradović feels that his team must take that chance right away. “We played a subpar game versus the Dukes in Kragujevac, and lost in what should have been a triumphant day for us and our fans. But, I believe that was only a temporary dip in form, which we proved by beating Vukovi immediately afterwards. We are better prepared now, and if all pieces fall into place as expected, a win in Novi Sad takes us to the final”, stated Obradović.
As usual when it comes to Novi Sad, the game will be played at FK Kabel stadium, sunday 20th of august, kickoff at 16:30.