{"id":1229,"date":"2026-05-11T13:07:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backgammon.rs\/?p=1229"},"modified":"2026-09-12T11:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T09:00:16","slug":"milan-jovanovic-prvi-na-vi-novi-sad-openu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backgammon.rs\/en\/objave\/milan-jovanovic-prvi-na-vi-novi-sad-openu\/","title":{"rendered":"Milan Jovanovi\u0107 Wins the 6th Novi Sad Open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the tournament held from May 8 to 10, 2026, in Novi Sad, Milan Jovanovi\u0107 claimed first place by defeating Kristijan Avgustin in the final with an 11-6 scoreline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forty players from Serbia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina took to the tables, and five rounds of the Swiss system were just the prelude to a spectacular event. Vladimir Milinkovi\u0107 and Sandra A\u0161ri dominated the group stage as the only players with a perfect 5-0 record, entering the knockout phase as favorites. They were followed by a group of five players with a 4-1 record\u2014Dedakovi\u0107, Nada\u017edin, Sto\u0161i\u0107, Zrncev, and Miki\u0107\u2014who also held strong ambitions going into the knockout stage. Once again, it was proven that favorites in backgammon are never safe from surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the knockout phase, Milinkovi\u0107 hit a wall immediately, as Vladimir Taci\u0107 (ranked 16th on day one) eliminated him in the round of 16 with a 9-2 victory. A\u0161ri was far more successful, advancing round by round until the semifinals, where she was eventually stopped by Jovanovi\u0107 (9-2). On the other side of the bracket, Kristijan Avgustin (ranked 12th on day one) defeated Lazarevski in the semifinals with a dominant 9-1 scoreline, in a match that will be talked about for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final, played to 11 points, provided ultimate confirmation of Jovanovi\u0107’s excellent form: an 11-6 victory against Avgustin, without too much drama. Sandra A\u0161ri secured third place by defeating Lazarevski 9-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The complete results can be found at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 6th Novi Sad Open once again demonstrated the depth and quality of the Serbian backgammon scene. While the group stage hinted at one set of finalists, the knockout phase delivered a completely different outcome, which is precisely what makes this sport so exciting. Milan Jovanovi\u0107 deservedly takes home the championship title, but Avgustin, A\u0161ri, and Lazarevski reminded everyone present that the difference between first and fourth place in this sport often comes down to a single move and decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, a tournament of this caliber does not organize itself; special thanks go to Petar Radi\u0107 and his family, who have lovingly nurtured this tradition for years and made all the guests feel welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n