Velika Gorica – on the tennis courts of TK „Plemenitaš“, we held a tournament in tennis and the popular card game bela.  And although the organisers feared that the weather could turn against them, the conditions on Sunday were favourable – it seemed that the sky was also curious to see who were the greatest tennis and bela players in the industry.

Spectacular tennis

It all started early in the morning with the gathering of tennis contenders who where divided into several groups.  The competition was fierce, and the draw brought together some very interesting matches.  For example, the bout between Galić (Ledo) and Leitner (OMV), and Podharški (Zvijezda) and Dražetić (OMV).  In both duels, the representatives from the Agrokor Group emerged victorious, which led to their meeting in the semi-finals. 

In Group III, a particularly interesting match was played between Vugrić (CBA) and Ukropine (CM expert), in which the experienced Vugrić tactically outmatched and wore out the younger and more agile Ukropina with a final result of 6:3.

The semi-final match between Galić and Podhraški brought about a drama played out in the tiebreak and ended with a 9:8 victory for Podhraški.  In the second contest, Mr. Vugrić (CBA) was up against Aralica (Collectus), but the match was forfeited by Vugrić at 1:6 due to exhaustion. 

Although among the favorites coming into the tournament, Aralica was certainly helped by the exhaustion of Mr. Podhraški after the semi-finals.  In the finals, he emerged victorious with a 9:2 win against Podhraški, deservingly claiming the title of Collectus Open 2006 champion.  Podhraški, having eliminated Dražetić and Galić, won the hearts of the audience and is definitely among the very pleasant surprises of the tournament.  Awards were handed out the finalist and winner, including very attractive tourist arrangements and gifts from Maistra and VMD.

The tactical superiority of experience

The tournament in bela started around 1pm, and it proved to be no less exciting that the tennis meeting.  In the qualifying stages, we had several prospective winners.  At the first table, the experienced pair Zora Koprivnjak (Progressive magazine) and Željko Vugrić (CBA) against Jelenko Serdarušić (PIK Vrbovec) and Predrag Knežević (Labud) and at table 2 – Mladen Danny Radošić (PIK Vrbovec) and Zoran Leitner (OMB) against Leo Petrov (Konzum) and Ivan Gadže (ACNielsen).

Once again, we witnessed great tactical solutions by Koprivnjak/Vugrić, winning in the final bout against Radošić/Leitner.  Reaching the semifinal round in tennis and winning the bela tournament, Mr. Vugrić established himself as the most versatile manager in the industry.

The great atmosphere was helped by the host and co-organiser, Collectus and Progressive magazine, as well as the sponsors PIK Vrbovec, Jamnica, Ledo, Mladina, Atlantic Grupa and Prima.