Kragujevac`s (un)expected defeat in Novi Sad eliminated a whole lot of calculation for the reigning Serbian champions – win all the rest, or (likely) go home. The regular season lasts two more games for the shell-shocked Wild Boars, and first of them, against the Ljubljana Silverhawks, is due this Saturday.

Wild Boars staff and players are only too aware of the importance of this match, considering the fact that their title dreams might quickly evaporate following another defeat. Special teams coach Veljko Makojević is lightly optimistic, as he still expects a tense game for his squad. “This is the first game Silverhawks are playing after the summer break, so their current form and roster strength are unknown to us. I expect a dominant performance from our defense, and I hope for better showing on the offense. Of course, I fully believe we`ll win this one”, said Makojević.

Former Wild Boars head coach and now reserve QB Nemanja Trajković was much more direct in his statement. “The way we see it, victory is our only option, and we won`t allow any surprises. The time is right for our offense to shine again”, stated Trajković.

As for the Slovenians, they arrive in Serbia with a weakened roster, due to the many injuries they suffered in the first part of the season. Still, DC Uroš Valant hopes his boys will defy the odds on Saturday. “Even though we initially thought that the implementation of summer break will lead to positive results, the actual effect was quite the opposite. A lot of players missed the midseason training camp, and we already had to replace a lot of standard veterans who got injured. Regardless of all that, Wild Boars will still need to show up in order to beat us. We`ll throw everything we have at them, and see what happens”, said Valant.

The game will kick off at 16h, at “Čika Dača” stadium in Kragujevac.