The junior boys and girls of Opatija Beach Volleyball Club claimed the Croatian national titles at the team beach volleyball championship,
held on the beach volleyball courts in Ičići, June 28–29, 2025.
Fran Maksimovski, Istok Celin, Ivano
Pejčinović, Filip Bačić, and Sebastian Sabalić, under the guidance of coach
Tonko Pavičević, achieved four wins and a draw against second-placed Mursa.
The junior girls, coached by Alen
Pavačić—Josipa Grčević, Karolina Jorgić, Majda Delimehić, and Mia Herceg—won
the final against Ferivi Višnjevac thanks to a better set difference.
Sunday's final was played in a truly home
atmosphere, and everything concluded with a grand celebration of Opatija’s
double crown in beach volleyball.
"Honestly, we expected medals, but we
didn’t expect to win two golds. This competition came at the very start of the
beach volleyball season, and on top of that, we competed with a younger team.
Everyone except Celin is still eligible to compete in the junior championship
next season," said Ivan Đorđević, sports director of Opatija Beach Volleyball Club, which
had previously won junior national titles in team competition, but never both
golds in the same season—and at home, no less.
"I have to emphasize that we might
currently be doing the most in Croatia when it comes to working with youth
categories. The results speak for themselves. No club has maintained this level
of consistency in youth development over the past few years. For years, during
the summer months, we’ve been gathering young volleyball players. These are
primarily indoor volleyball players, members of clubs from our county. With
some clubs we have official cooperation, and with others informal
collaboration. In any case, I must thank them for their understanding and
cooperation. I would say it's mutually beneficial—these talented players extend
their season through beach volleyball and gain a solid foundation for
continuing indoor volleyball,” added Ivan Đorđević.
The championship was organized with the
support of the Ičići Tourist Board, one of the event sponsors, once again
affirming its role as a destination that fosters active and sports tourism.
The season has started – perfectly!
The senior team has won the Cup, juniors
are national champions, and the main events are still to come. The senior team
championship is just around the corner. Opatija Beach Volleyball Club is defending the title, and
the Opatija women are defending last season's third-place finish. Next up are
the cadet, younger cadet, and mini-cadet national championships. Opatija's
medal harvest will certainly continue.
Until then, training continues diligently
on the courts in Ičići and Kostrena.