PPD Zagreb have opened the ninth season of the SEHA - Gazprom League in the best possible way with securing three points in Sabac with the result 25:28 (12:12). Metaloplastika gave a good resistance to a clearly better Croatian team, but that wasn't enough to make a surprise.

Coach of the home team, Veselin Vukovic was forced to take time-out early in the match after a bad start of his team. This was a confidence-boost for the young domestic squad, who began to play much more concentrated in attack with strong defensive line. They had amazing Todor Jandric between the posts. After 18 minutes of the match, Metaloplastika took the first lead 6:5. Until the end of the first half, two teams were changing in the lead. 

The Serbian vice-champions opened second half with 14:13 advantage scored by Viktor Maticic, but that was also the end of the better part of tonight's match for them. PPD Zagreb’s defense found the way to stop back-line players Gojkovic, Babic and Pisaric, while Veselin Vukovic had no more options on the bench like Branko Tamse did. Mandic, Horvat, and Bozic Pavletic put Zagreb four goals up in the 41st minute. Zlatko Horvat set the highest advantage  for the guest team (18:23) in the 49th minute.

One of the biggest strengths of the domestic squad was their unbelieveable fighting spirit. But, when Matej Asanin saved some incredible shots, it was obvious that PPD Zagreb will bring the points home.  

The best scorers in the winning team were Zlatko Horvat and David Mandic with six goals each, while Dejan Babic and Viktor Maticic scored five goals each for Metaloplastika.