Erste Liga: Rückkehrer Berić in der 94. Minute für den Sieg Kopra, Mura über die Schiedsrichter, Olympia von unten

In a dramatic final moments of their match against Mura, Koper secured a crucial victory with a goal scored by Robert Berić in the 94th minute. The win ended Koper's winless streak and lifted them above Mura, while Olimpija managed to climb off the bottom of the league table after defeating Nafta. The results marked a pivotal moment in the Slovenian First League season, with Berić’s late strike capturing headlines and sparking controversy over a disallowed goal earlier in the game. The match between Koper and Mura was tightly contested throughout, with both teams showing determination to secure points. Koper had entered the game looking to break their winless run, and they came close several times before the decisive moment. In the 94th minute, substitute Robert Berić capitalized on a cross from Alvaro Roncal, heading the ball into the net to give Koper a narrow 1-0 victory. Berić, who returned to the Slovenian league after a long absence due to injury, expressed his satisfaction with the start of his career at Koper. His coach, Zoran Zeljković, praised Berić’s experience and confidence, noting that he had prepared well for this opportunity. Mura, however, were left frustrated after the match, particularly because of a controversial decision involving their player Kenan Kurtović. In the 18th minute, Kurtović appeared to score a goal, but the referee, Rade Obrenović, reviewed the incident using video assistant referee (VAR) technology and ruled the goal invalid due to a potential infringement near the center of the field. This decision sparked outrage among Mura officials, who issued a sharp public statement criticizing the use of VAR. They argued that the system should not be used to reassess every contact but rather to correct clear errors. Mura specifically called out VAR official Alen Borošak, accusing him of frequent involvement in contentious decisions that have disadvantaged their team. The club emphasized that they would no longer remain silent when they believe their position has been unfairly compromised. Despite the loss, Mura's coach Mitja Mörec remained optimistic about the future. He acknowledged the effort put forth by his players and believed that consistency would eventually lead to rewards. He noted that football is not always fair and that sometimes goals come from moments of carelessness. However, he expressed confidence that continued hard work would yield positive outcomes for the team. Meanwhile, Olimpija faced a different challenge in their match against Nafta. The visitors needed a win to move away from the bottom of the league, and they delivered in style. Despite being outshot significantly by Nafta, Olimpija found the breakthrough through substitute Antonio Marin, who scored in the 79th minute with a precise shot from 18 meters. Marin, who came on from the bench, celebrated the goal as a deserved reward for his team's efforts. His coach, Baldomero Hermoso Herrera, lamented missed opportunities, stating that Nafta had created several chances before conceding the goal. He acknowledged Olimpija's quality and the need for his side to improve their finishing. With these results, the dynamics within the Slovenian First League began to shift. Koper's victory brought them closer to the mid-table, while Olimpija's win offered hope of escaping the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Mura's frustration over the VAR decision could influence their approach in upcoming matches. As the season progresses, all teams will look to build on these performances, with each result potentially shaping their positions in the standings.