Šibenka Falls to Split in Club Friendship Test

GKK Šibenka 69 – 83 KK Split – KK Split took control of the late-night Club Friendship clash on September 5, 2026, emerging from Dalmatia with an authoritative 83–69 victory over rivals GKK Šibenka. The result gave Split a clean sweep in this preseason derby and exposed Šibenka’s second-half vulnerabilities after a competitive opening quarter.

Game Overview

Playing under the floodlights in Šibenik, the hosts matched Split’s physical intensity early on and stayed in the contest through the first two periods. However, a decisive third-quarter push from the visitors widened the gap to double digits, and Split managed the game with composure down the stretch. The final scoreline reflected Split’s superior depth and the strong inside presence that Šibenka simply could not counter.

Šibenka’s offense relied on crisp ball movement and perimeter shooting to stay close, but a cold spell midway through the third quarter proved costly. Split's transition attack capitalized on those misses, turning defensive rebounds into easy layups and open 3-pointers on the other end. By the time Šibenka regained its rhythm, the margin had grown beyond reach.

Key Moments and Standout Players

• Second-quarter balance: Šibenka stayed within three points at halftime, showing the competitive spirit expected from a seasoned Croatian side.
• Third-quarter surge: Split used a 12–2 run out of the locker room to create separation, and they never let the lead dip below eight afterward.
• Late free-throw execution: With the result sealed, Split converted from the charity stripe to inflate the final margin to 14 points.

What It Means

For KK Split, the victory builds valuable momentum ahead of the upcoming competitive season. Their defense set the tone, and several role players stepped up in rotations that will likely carry into league play. GKK Šibenka, meanwhile, will take positives from their early resilience but will need to improve their defensive rebounding and second-half focus if they are to make an impact this year.

Club Friendship contests continue to serve as an essential measuring stick for teams across the region, and this result suggests that Split are rounding into form at the right time.