After two and three games played for the Wild Boars and Vukovi respectively, for many the most interesting match of the season`s first half will be played in Kragujevac, on Saturday starting at 4.30PM. A win against the bitter rival from Belgrade is always imperative, but now even more so for the Wild Boars, after an unexpected defeat at home against the Dukes in their last match.

Unlike them, Vukovi will arrive to Kragujevac in a different mood, as they are undefeated in all three games this season. On the other hand, extra motive for them could be a negative score against the Wild Boars in Kragujevac, where they have never won. Belgrade`s team coach Igor Hoffmann says this game has no special meaning for his team.

“For us this game is like any other. We`re preparing well, even though we have problems with injuries which are a distraction in preparations for the game. Kragujevac is a great team, and surely the toughest match so far is expected”, said Hoffmann. Commenting on the bad score his team has with the Wild Boars, but also other factors unrelated to the match itself, he added: “Of course we`re not burdened by it, and I think people think about it more than the players themselves. There`s a lot of talk of us being undefeated since November of 2004. That`s entirely unimportant and not something that should be thought of too much, as us being winless in Kragujevac so far. We have our goal, and that`s too make it to the final game. Are we winning in Kragujevac, Novi Sad, Belgrade or Ljubljana is least relevant.”

Who should be favored in this match is tough to decide, despite Vukovi`s advantage in the standings. A factor in favor of the Wild Boars is their home field, but Vukovi have also shown they can survive the pressure from home fans against Novi Sad. Even the current standings maybe aren`t a good measure, considering two of three wins by Vukovi came in the last quarter, and also the Wild Boars were defeated after holding an 11 point lead at one point of the game.

Advantage for the home team could come in the form of sheer strength and defense, while Vukovi represent the League`s best offense. This was in part confirmed in a statement for the home team`s official website by their head coach Vujica Samailović. “The Belgrade Vukovi are our old acquaintances. They are prepared well, and have some good individuals. I expect a good game, and a big fight between our defense and their offense. I hope the guys, that worked all winter will give a win to the Wild Boars fans.”

Although the defeat in the match against the Dukes surely didn`t come easy, they left the field with their heads high. A win against Vukovi would help them to forget that defeat, but also make the League more interesting. If on the other hand Vukovi win, with a favorable result in Slovenia the next day, they could find themselves one foot in the final game.