Drava prevail in Slovenian survival battle

NK Drava will live to fight again in Slovenia's 1. Liga after winning 7-0 at home to complete a 9-3 aggregate relegation play-off victory against NK Aluminij. "We were the better team," said coach Adnan Zildžović.

Second-leg rout
Having finished ninth in the ten-team league, the club from Slovenia's oldest city – Ptuj – faced a play-off against Kidricevo-based Aluminij, the second division runners-up. Drava lost 3-2 in the away leg, but the home fixture was a rout, with three goals for Rok Kronaveter, two for Sead Zilić and one each for Ales Čeh and Marko Drevenšek.

No holiday
"We were the better team so we deserved to win and stay in the league," said Zildžović. "We are happy but there is no time for celebrations or a long vacation. We will start preparing for the new season on 18 June." History was always on Drava's side; only once in nine seasons of relegation play-offs has the top-flight side not prevailed.