The 2025–26 Favbet Premijer liga season delivered another classic Croatian basketball showdown as KK Zadar traveled to Zagreb and defeated Cibona Zagreb with a commanding 87–70 victory on June 6, 2026. The win strengthened Zadar’s push toward the top of the standings while handing Cibona a tough home loss in front of their faithful at the Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Zadar set the tempo with aggressive defense and crisp ball movement. Cibona, playing on their home court, struggled to find offensive rhythm against a disciplined Zadar scheme. By halftime, the visitors had built a double-digit lead that they never relinquished. The final score of 87–70 reflected Zadar’s dominance in transition and their ability to convert defensive stops into quick points.

Key Moments

• First-quarter surge: Zadar opened with a 12–2 run, forcing Cibona head coach Jakov Sedlar to call an early timeout. The lead reached 12 points by the end of the period.
• Third-quarter response: Cibona cut the deficit to six midway through the third, but Zadar answered with a 14–2 spurt, restoring control and demoralizing the home team.
• Fourth-quarter closeout: With the game in hand, Zadar’s bench unit maintained focus, extending the lead to 20 points and ensuring no late comeback.

Tactical Story

Zadar head coach Danijel Jusup devised a game plan that neutralized Cibona’s primary scorers. By trapping ball screens high and forcing Cibona’s guards into contested mid-range jumpers, the visitors disrupted the home team’s offensive flow. Offensively, Zadar exploited Cibona’s weak-side rotations, finding open shooters and cutting to the basket with precision. The team finished with 21 assists compared to Cibona’s 12, a clear indicator of Zadar’s superior ball movement.

Standout Players

• Zadar guard Luka Božić: The MVP candidate put up 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, controlling the game on both ends.
• Cibona’s Domagoj Vuković: The young forward led his team with 18 points and 9 rebounds but lacked consistent support from his backcourt.
• Zadar center Sani Čampara: A defensive anchor with 4 blocks and 11 rebounds, he limited Cibona’s interior scoring.

Season Impact

The victory moved Zadar to a 22–5 record, keeping them in contention for the league title behind leaders KK Split. For Cibona, the loss dropped them to 16–11, putting their playoff positioning at risk. The result also marked Zadar’s second win over Cibona in the regular season, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker if needed.

As the Favbet Premijer liga regular season enters its final weeks, both teams will look to build on this performance. Zadar travels next to face KK Cedevita Junior, while Cibona must quickly regroup for a critical road trip to KK Dinamo Zagreb.