WABA 2 Kicks Off with Slovenian Derby and Serbian Newcomer

The new third season of the WABA 2 League kicks off tomorrow in Graz. The opening tournament of the 2026/27 season will feature as many as three participants from the last Final Four: the two-time champions Ilirija, Maribor, and the tournament hosts UBI Holding Graz. The fourth club is newcomer Rudar 1903 from Bor, making it the first-ever Serbian club to compete in the WABA 2 League.

Right from the start, Saturday will bring a thrilling Slovenian derby—a rematch of the last semifinal and the 2024/25 season final between Ilirija and Maribor. The defending champions entered the summer missing Final Four MVP Ziva Misjak Cujnik and Jana Guska. On the other side, Maribor enters the season with a new head coach, Zeljko Jotic, a three-time WABA U17 League champion.

In the season-opening game, UBI Holding Graz, led by head coach Theresa Petricevic in her WABA 2 League debut, will face Rudar 1903. Natalija Spaic is the only player on the Serbian roster with previous WABA experience.

2026-27 WABA 2 League

Saturday, September 26 (Graz/Raiffesen Sportpark)

UBI Graz-Rudar 1903 16.30 CET   LIVE STATS   LIVE STREAM

Ilirija-Maribor   19.00 CET   LIVE STATS   LIVE  STREAM

Sunday, September 27 (Graz/Raiffeisen Sportpark)

Maribor-Rudar 1903   11.00 CET   LIVE STATS   LIVE STREAM

UBI Graz-Ilirija 13.03 CET   LIVE STATS   LIVE STREAM

Theresa Petricevic, Head Coach of UBI Graz:

Ernest Novak, Head Coach of Ilirija:

Tiana Meglic Steharnik, captain of Maribor:

Ajsa Hadzic, Rudar 1903:

Foto: sportalo.hr/Mijo Jozic