Andrej Kožul wins the Open Table Tennis Championship of the Nevesinjska olimpijada 2026

As part of the 151st Nevesinje Olympics, the Open Table Tennis Championship was held, a competition that gathered 14 participants and brought a series of interesting matches, uncertain sets, and quality duels from the group stage to the final.
Andrej Kožul showed the most, confidently playing through the finals to claim the title. In the grand final, he defeated Karlo Marić with a score of 3:0, with set scores of 11:4, 11:3, 11:5.
Throughout the tournament, Kožul demonstrated consistency, calmness in crucial points, and his best play when it mattered most. His path to the title was particularly marked by the semifinal duel against Franjo Ivanković, one of the most interesting matches of the entire championship.

Final standings

1st place — Andrej Kožul
2nd place — Karlo Marić
Semifinalists — Franjo Ivanković and Nikica Marić

Final Match: Kožul Dominates Against Karlo Marić

In the final, Andrej Kožul faced Karlo Marić, two players who demonstrated the highest level of stability and quality throughout the tournament.
Kožul played exceptionally confidently in the final, without significant dips in performance. From the start, he set the pace, controlled the exchanges, and secured a victory of 3:0.
Final:
Andrej Kožul – Karlo Marić 3:0
Sets: 11:4, 11:3, 11:5
Although Karlo Marić made an impressive run to the final, especially through the group stage and semifinals, in the decisive match, Kožul was more precise, calmer, and more effective in crucial points.

The Most Exciting Matches of the Tournament

Two matches stood out for their uncertainty and quality.
The first was the quarterfinal duel between Franjo Ivanković and Igor Savić. Ivanković won with a score of 3:1, but the score does not reflect how open the match was. He narrowly won the first set 11:9, Savić responded by taking the second set 11:5, and then Ivanković turned the match around in the third and fourth sets. The fourth set was particularly tense, ending with a score of 12:10.
Quarterfinal 1:
Franjo Ivanković – Igor Savić 3:1
Sets: 11:9, 5:11, 11:6, 12:10
The second major duel was the semifinal between Andrej Kožul and Franjo Ivanković. Kožul won 3:1, but the match had a true competitive dynamic. The first set was decided only by a difference, 13:11 for Kožul. Ivanković then equalized by winning the second set 11:6, but Kožul was calmer in the finish of the third set and won 11:9. The fourth set brought him complete control and a victory of 11:3.
Semifinal 1:
Andrej Kožul – Franjo Ivanković 3:1
Sets: 13:11, 6:11, 11:9, 11:3
These two matches showed how much the nuances decided the outcome at the end of the tournament — a few points, concentration in the finish of the set, and the ability to respond after losing a period of play.

Andrej Kožul's Path to the Title

Andrej Kožul opened the tournament confidently in the group stage. In Group C, he achieved victories over Dragan Šakota and Radmila Grahovac, taking first place in the group without losing a match.
In the quarterfinals, he defeated Velibor Sarić with a score of 3:0, with set scores of 11:4, 11:4, 11:9.
In the semifinals, he played the toughest match of the tournament against Franjo Ivanković and won 3:1, and then in the final, with a solid performance, he defeated Karlo Marić 3:0.
Kožul's path to the title:
Group stage: first place in Group C
Quarterfinals: Andrej Kožul – Velibor Sarić 3:0
Semifinals: Andrej Kožul – Franjo Ivanković 3:1
Final: Andrej Kožul – Karlo Marić 3:0

Karlo Marić reaches the final without losing a set

Karlo Marić was one of the most convincing competitors of the tournament. In Group A, he took first place, achieving all victories without losing a set.
In the quarterfinals, he defeated Slobodan Savić with a score of 3:0, and then in the semifinals, he was better than Nikica Marić, also with a score of 3:0.
It is particularly interesting that the semifinal duel between Karlo and Nikica Marić had a tight second set, which Karlo won 13:11, effectively breaking the opponent's resistance and paving the way to the final.
Semifinal 2:
Karlo Marić – Nikica Marić 3:0
Sets: 11:8, 13:11, 11:7

Final Results

Quarterfinal 1:
Franjo Ivanković – Igor Savić 3:1
Sets: 11:9, 5:11, 11:6, 12:10
Quarterfinal 2:
Andrej Kožul – Velibor Sarić 3:0
Sets: 11:4, 11:4, 11:9
Quarterfinal 3:
Karlo Marić – Slobodan Savić 3:0
Sets: 11:6, 11:3, 11:7
Quarterfinal 4:
Nikica Marić – Dragan Šakota 3:0
Sets: 11:7, 14:12, 11:6
Semifinal 1:
Andrej Kožul – Franjo Ivanković 3:1
Sets: 13:11, 6:11, 11:9, 11:3
Semifinal 2:
Karlo Marić – Nikica Marić 3:0
Sets: 11:8, 13:11, 11:7
Final:
Andrej Kožul – Karlo Marić 3:0
Sets: 11:4, 11:3, 11:5

Group Stage

The tournament featured 14 competitors, divided into four groups.
The participants of the tournament were:
Andrej Kožul, Karlo Marić, Vito Ostojić, Miloš Krstojević, Velibor Sarić, Dragan Šakota, Boris Raguž, Nikica Marić, Jovan Todorović, Franjo Ivanković, Radmilo Grahovac, Igor Savić, Slobodan Savić, and Mladen Kovačević.
The first and second place players from the groups qualified for the finals.

Group A:
Karlo Marić
1. Velibor Sarić
2. Mladen Kovačević
3. Jovan Todorović

Group B:
1. Nikica Marić
2. Igor Savić
3. Vito Ostojić
4. Boris Raguž

Group C:
1. Andrej Kožul
2. Dragan Šakota
3. Radmilo Grahovac

Group D:
1. Franjo Ivanković
2. Slobodan Savić
3. Miloš Krstojević

The tournament that brought quality and uncertainty

The Open Championship in table tennis once again demonstrated that this sport has its place in the program of Nevesinje Olympics. Although it is often decided in short exchanges and quick points, table tennis requires great concentration, reflexes, tactical thinking, and a steady hand in the closing moments of sets.
This year's tournament was particularly marked by matches where nuances decided the outcome — especially the quarterfinal between Franjo Ivanković and Igor Savić, and the semifinal between Andrej Kožul and Franjo Ivanković. These duels added competitive value to the finals and showed why table tennis is one of the sports where a turnaround can happen in just a few points.
In the end, Andrej Kožul stood out the most, deserving to win first place and the title of champion of the Open Championship in table tennis at Nevesinje Olympics 2026.