The Celts and the Trebanites for the first laurel

Trebanjci have claimed their first Super Cup title in the 2026/27 season after a dramatic match against Celje Pivovarna Laško, which concluded with a penalty shootout victory. The men's final took place at the Zlatorog arena in Celje on Saturday, August 29, with Trime Trebnje defeating Celje 34-32 following a tense tiebreaker. This marks the first time Trime has won the traditional opening match of the season since its inception in 2007. The win solidifies their position as reigning champions of Slovenia’s men’s football, having previously secured national league and cup titles. The match began with Trime taking an early lead, scoring three goals within the first ten minutes. They quickly closed the gap, tying the score at 8-8 by the 15th minute before leading 11-10 just two minutes later. However, Celje responded strongly, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to score four unanswered goals and take a 15-11 advantage. Despite this, Trime showed resilience, equalizing at 17-17 in the 28th minute and eventually leading 18-17 heading into halftime. The second half saw further back-and-forth action, with both teams trading blows throughout the game. In the critical moments of the match, Trime demonstrated composure under pressure. After Celje briefly led 28-25, they allowed a brief resurgence by the visiting team, allowing them to close the gap to 29-29. With the score tied and neither side able to break the deadlock in regular time, the game moved to penalties. Trime emerged victorious, securing their first Super Cup triumph in club history. Key contributors included Andraž Stanič, who scored seven goals, and Timotej Grmšk, whose goal helped secure the lead in the dying moments of the match. Trime’s success was attributed to their tactical discipline and physicality, particularly in the face of Celje’s aggressive play. The home team, coached by Klemen Luzar, managed to keep pace despite losing key players during the match. Meanwhile, Celje’s coach, Branko Tamšeta, acknowledged the challenge posed by Trime’s resilience and strategic depth. “We had the game in our hands, but we lost it,” he admitted. “It was a tough match, but Trime were more composed in the end.” This victory comes on the heels of a successful campaign for Trime, who have dominated the domestic scene in recent years. Their performance in the men’s Super Cup follows their earlier success in the women’s competition, where Krim OTP Group Mercator defeated Mlinotest Ajdovščina 45-28. The women’s match, also held at Zlatorog, showcased a dominant display from Krim, who controlled proceedings from the outset. With new Danish coach Rasmus Poulsen guiding the team, Krim maintained control through superior tactics and player quality, ultimately securing a decisive victory. Looking ahead, Trime will continue their dominance in the upcoming national league season, which kicks off on September 2. The men’s league will feature matches between top-tier clubs, including a crucial encounter against Romanian Bucharest in the group stage. For Krim, the focus shifts to preparing for international competitions, with the women’s team set to compete against Bucharest on September 6. Both teams aim to build on their recent successes and maintain their positions as leaders in Slovenian football.