Zadar’s Play-in Race Continues in Novo mesto
In the opening game of the AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 9, Krka will be hosting Zadar at home in their Leon Štukelj Sports Hall in Novo mesto.
Niko Bacvic (Photo: Zadar/Zvonko Kucelin)
2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 9, Friday, 17 April 2026:
KRKA – ZADAR
Where? Leon Štukelj Sports Hall, Novo mesto
When? 19:00
Story of the game: In the opening game of the AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 9, Krka will be hosting Zadar at home in their Leon Štukelj Sports Hall in Novo mesto.
A perhaps crucial game is coming up for both Krka and Zadar in Leon Štukelj Sports Hall, as Krka need a win in order to secure themselves a spot in the AdmiralBet ABA League for another season with a round to go in the Play-out stage. On the other hand, Zadar need a win in order to be able to keep chasing a Play-in spot. Right now, they are tied at 11:13 with FMP at the second place, but with a worse head to head score, so basically losing this game, in case FMP wins theirs, would mean that the Playoffs dream is over for the Dalmatian squad, with a round left in the second stage of the competition.
Zadar are arriving to Novo mesto packed with confidence after 2 straight wins and 4 wins in their last 5 games. On the other side, Krka might have won their last game, but have only won 2 out of their last 5.
Previously, the games between the two squads in Novo mesto have always been exciting and in 16 mutual encounters played so far in Leon Štukelj Sports Hall, Krka have won 9 and Zadar 7.
Who will emerge victorious this time?
Match-up in focus: Blaž Mahkovic vs. Boris Tišma! Who will lead his team to the win this time in Novo mesto? While Mahkovic has been the second-leading scorer of Krka so far this season, averaging 10.5 points per game, Tišma is the third-best when it comes to scoring for Zadar, with an average of 10 points per contest. Who would you bet on?
Head-to-head score in ABA: In total 19:14, In Novo mesto 9:7.
