Slovenia round-up: Publikum on the up

NK Publikum showed their championship credentials at the weekend by comfortably despatching current title-holders NK Maribor 3-0.

Publikum third
The victory ensured Marjan Pusnik's slotted into third place as Maribor, for whom Zikica Vuksanovi was sent off on 33 minutes, were largely outplayed.

Koren opener
Robert Koren opened the scoring on 44 minutes while Mitja Brulc struck seven minutes after the break, before Koren collected his second in added time.

Two draws
NK Olimpija, without injured Croatian star Robert Prosinecki, played out a scoreless draw with NK Smartno, as did NK Dravogrda and NK Gorica.

Bunjevcevic leveller
NK Mura and NK Koper also drew, but at least both sides scored. The hosts took the lead on 38 minutes through Diego Romero, but Koper’s Mirko Bunjevcevic equalized three minutes after the break.

Primorje misery
NK Primorje’s downward trajectory continued when they lost 3-0 to NK Korotan to slump to ninth while NK Ljubljana overcame NK Rudar 3-1.