Sunday, November 30, 2014

Picture of the day

Creative minds of Grobarski Trash Romantizam took action before today's basketball eternal derby and showed up with this fantastic montage.


Remember: TODAY at 19:00 starts the basketball eternal derby. KK Crvena Zvezda - KK Partizan, broadcasted live by SportKlub 1. (And within less than an hour the football team starts at Novi Pazar. Follow it live on ArenaSport 1.)


Radnički Kragujevac - OK Partizan 0:3 (men’s league, round 7)

Partizan won in Kragujevac to 0:3 against Radnički. With this victory we are the only team in the league that won in all rounds. 7 rounds, 7 victories. At the first set it was still a bit on the razor’s edge (we won the game to 24:26), the rest was easier (16:25 and 22:25). The hero of the match was who else than Milija Mrdak, scoring 22 points.

Radnički: Anđelić, Dobanovački (2), Goić (5), Trifunović (4), Protić (libero), Perović (9), Rajković, Ilić, Premović (22), Pantović, Dačović (3), Stojanović (1)
Head coach: Mirko Ristović
OK Partizan: Ivković (2), Lopar (5), Kostić (1), Mrdak (22), Majstorović (13), Rajković (libero), Jokanović, Veličković, P. Nikolić (4), M. Nikolić (10), Popović
Head coach: Vladimir Vasović

The happy boys of Belgrade
(photo: b92.net)


Current championship standings:
1. Partizan 19 points
2. Crvena Zvezda 18 points
3. Vojvodina 17 points
4. Spartak Ljig 11 points*
5. Novi Pazar 10 points
6. Mladi Radnik 8 points
7. Inđija 7 points
8. Ribnica 5 points*
9. Radnički 4 points
10. Đerdap 3 points

Teams marked with * played only 6 matches so far.


Saturday, November 29, 2014

Velimir Stjepanović is Athlete of the Year

Esquire magazine’s year-ending vote for Athlete of the Year is won by Partizan’s swimmer Velimir Stjepanović.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

Much better photo detected:

(source: b92.net)


Tottenham Hotspur - FK Partizan 1:0 (UEFA Europa League)

We knew we had no chance to qualify for the next round of Europa League even before travelling to England, so the team arrived with no pressure on them. Therefore we played a great game. Our line-up was 4-3-3, Grbić was in the front line on the right side, Škuletić found himself in the middle.


Yet the first 5 minutes brought three (3) dangerous Tottenham chances. The first came in the 2nd minute, for our luck Soldado missed it. A minute later our defenders cleaned, then in the 5th minute Naughton had a too wide shot.

RTS’s speaker repeatedly called Tottenham's defender Vlad Chiriches "Hungarian". He even made it sure the great defender is the member of the Hungarian national team. Well, it's true, my miserable homeland's national team needs such class defenders as one needs water in the desert, but I doubt our brave neighbours in the East would get a laughing fit (including Chiriches) if they got to know such a "charge" was brought against their player. Don't take me wrong: all my respect goes to Romania and Romanian football, in the spirit of peaceful coexistence.

We had a short time meanwhile to find our breath, while a handful of Partizan fans made their voice heard (they were louder than the locals). In the 8th minute Tottenham attacked again, Ćirković headed the ball to corner.
In the 10th minute Grbić got the ball and ran up in the right side. He passed it to Škuletić, who missed it by being just one step behind... Two minutes later again Tottenham banged the door at Lukač’s home. Thankfully they were not allowed to enter. Then in the 15th minute again Grbić ran up, passed again to Škuletić, but this time defenders cleared the area.
In the 18th minute we got a free kick. The ball flew up and almost left the field through the base line, but Branko Ilić saved it.


He passed it back to the penalty area line, where Lazović has been waiting. He finally missed the chance.
In the 21st minute all we could see was someone kicking Ninković to the ground, then in the next moment Tottenham was in front of our goal line. Lamela kicked the ball into the middle, most probably to Soldado, but everyone was behind 1-2-3 steps, all Tottenham and Partizan players. (That was our luck, because if Soldado had been at his place, the result would have been 1:0 at this point.)
Then a fan ran into the field, all of a sudden. It was a big black man, one of the locals. He ran around the field, had a big grin on his face, made selfies with the players, playing hide-and-seek with security guards, who finally successfully push him off the grass.


Naughton is not impressed

Amazing. Okay, next. Ninković got the ball. Džigi ran up, slalomed himself through Tottenham’s half and made a huge kick to the goal from about 18 metres. Pity that Llorente was at his place.


Tottenham immediately started a counter-attack, Ćirković cleared again to corner.
In the 26th minute another fan ran into the field. He was also just running around, though he made no selfies. He still freaked Soldado out so much, that the Spanish forward grabbed the guy and pulled his shirt off. (He made no trouble about it, just continued to run around shirtless. Security guards pushed him off the grass, too.)


In the 28th minute again Škuletić had a great chance. He got the ball from Lazović, but Llorente saved.


At this point Tottenham was less in control of the game than earlier. Partizan broke out of the "bunker". In the 38th minute the home team was wandering around Partizan’s penalty area. Finally Stambouli sent a 20-metre shot to the goal line, Lukač had a great save. We immediately started a counter-attack, Ninković ran up and kicked a marvellous, 40-metre bomber. Llorente saved.
Then a third fan ran into the field.
The Ukrainian referee got fed up and sent the whole branch back to the locker-room, while security personnel threw themselves onto the funny guy and literally carried him off the grass. About 10 minutes later the game continued.

As I later got to know, these three self-appointed pranksters were paid for this trolling. They were all wearing similar shirts with the logo of a company that makes earphones. They even uploaded a video to Youtube about their adventure.


In the 45+8th minute Partizan got a corner. It made a big upheaval inside Tottenham's penalty area, finally it resulted a goal kick, meanwhile it seemed as Chiriches pulled Škuletić to the ground. Two minutes later Lazović had a shot flying above the goalpost, then in the last minute Lamela had a try, but Lukač saved.
At the beginning of the second half Tottenham got the lead. They were running up wild towards Partizan’s penalty area. First Soldado made a shot, but Lukač saved with a great movement. The ball dropped back to the penalty area. Stambouli grabbed it and kicked it into the empty net. 1:0


Two minutes later they ran up again on Partizan’s half. This time Stanković blocked their try, but Tottenham still owned the ball. Finally Lukač caught it and we could go for a counter-attack. Lazović got up to the home team’s penalty area, he even made a shot but missed.


In the 55th minute there were two dangerous scenes in front of Partizan’s goal line. Soldado made a shot (I don’t say it was not offside...), Lukač saved. The second attack came almost immediately. Volkov cleared it, kicking the ball out from almost the goal line, standing behind Partizan’s goalkeeper, who was lying on the ground. Three minutes later again Tottenham had a chance, Lamela made a distant shot, barely missed.


In the 68th minute once again Tottenham attacked. Again Lamela made a shot, it flew out above the goalpost. Immediate Partizan counter-attack, Grbić ran up almost to the base line and passed it to Živković. The midfielder shot, but the ball flew out near the goalpost.
In the 72nd minute Tottenham got a free kick, approx. 20 metres from our goal line. Lukač had a huge save, pushing the ball to corner. The incoming kick hit a player, Partizan’s goalkeeper saved again with a marvellous movement. Three minutes later we made a counter-attack (followed by Lukač running out for a shot with great pace). Grbić had the ball, running up and kicked, but missed.
In the 83rd minute it was almost 2:0, but the home player was on offside. Two minutes later we got a free kick. Volkov raised up to head the ball into Tottenham’s net. Lloris had a great save, Živković arrived out of the blue, but shot the ball on the side net.
In the 88th minute Tottenham missed a huge chance. (Average Fan didn’t really mind it.) Lukač ran out and saved Stambouli’s attack. The ball dropped right in front of Lamela, all doors and windows were open, but the Argentinian midfielder missed it.

Partizan bench

It was the very end, the 90+1st minute. Tottenham attacked again, making a huge upheaval inside Partizan’s penalty area. One of our defenders (I’m not sure if it was Volkov, Ćirković or someone else) tackled the attacker, who fell on the ground. Some complained for penalty, but the referee said no - the slow motion replay confirmed the referee’s decision. After all these Lukač performed one of the savings of his career, when Lamela sent the ball again to the goal. (Many thanks to Tottenham’s Argentinian player to give so many chances for Lukač to be able to show his class.)

Facts:

Venue: White Hart Lane, London
Number of spectators: 20 000
Referee: Yevhen Aranovskiy (assistants: Oleksandr Voytyuk, Oleksandr Komiyko - 4th assistant: Serhiy Bekker - goal line assistants: Serhiy Boiko, Anatoliy Abdula) - UKR

Tottenham Hotspur: Llorente - Naughton, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Davies - Stambouli, Dembele (Bentaleb, 56.) - Lennon, Paulinho (Winks, 87.), Lamela - Soldado (Kane, 66.)
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

FK Partizan: Lukač - B. Ilić, Ćirković, Stanković, Volkov - Ninković (A. Živković, 62.), Marković, S. Ilić (Marinković, 74.) - Lazović, Škuletić (Kojić, 78.), Grbić
Head coach: Marko Nikolić

Goal scorer: Stambouli (49.)
Yellow card: Stambouli (51.), Grbić (72.), B. Ilić (86.)

(photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Rudar Kostolac - RK Partizan 27:29

Last match of the 9th round of the men's handball superliga was played on Tuesday between Rudar Kostolac and RK Partizan. Partizan won with 2 goals over the home team. The house was fully crowded, the atmosphere was fantastic and the final result was decided in the last minutes of the match by left-handed gods Radojković and Sretenović.

(photo: rkpartizan.rs)

Current championship standings:
1. Jugović 14 points
2. Železničar 13 points
3. Metaloplastika 13 points
4. Crvena Zvezda 11 points
5. Partizan 11 points
6. Spartak Vojput 11 points
7. Rudar Kostolac 7 points
8. Požarevac 5 points
9. Planinka 5 points
10. Kolubara 0 point

Novi Pazar - OK Partizan 2:3 (Serbian Cup)

Partizan's volleyball team reached the quarter-finals after defeating Novi Pazar on an almost 2-hour-long match sweating blood. (23:25, 25:18, 23:25, 25:19, 11:15) The hero of the day was again Mrdak with his 24 points.

(photo: zurnal.rs)

The draw for the quarter-finals will be held tomorrow at 13:00. Other participants are Đerdap, Spartak Subotica, Mladi Radnik, Vojvodina, Radnički and Crvena Zvezda. (The Inđija - Spartak Ljig match will be played today at 18:00.)


Birthday

Today is the 55th birthday of Zvonko Varga, Partizan's legendary striker, current assistant manager.

(photo: srbijadanas.com)

Stand up and salute. Then you watch the highlights of the historical 75th eternal derby, when Partizan beat the red team to 2:1 with the goals of Dragan Mance and Zvonko Varga. Interesting fact is that Zvezda's only goal was scored by that Milko Đurovski, who later transferred to Partizan (and became very popular among fans).


Commercial break: visit underPFC's Youtube-channel. You'll find lots and lots of treasures like this one above as well as other match highlights and archive material.

And today celebrates Edo Murić, too, the basketball team's and fans' precious, who can light 23 candles on his birthday cake.

(photo: Facebook/ABA Liga)


SREĆAN ROĐENDAN, MAJSTORI!

Banvitspor - KK Partizan 90:85 (Eurocup)

First of all, before starting this, raise your ass, stand in attention and salute to the hero of the match, Milenko Tepić.

(photo: kkpartizan.rs)

The match started with a 1-minute silence for the memory of Marko Ivković. Banvitspor remembered him with a banner.


In the first quarter both teams kept the pace. Tepić threw our first basket (2:2), then he leveled up to 3-pointers.
Like this:


Then again (12:13). Gagić and Murić also wanted to take part in the fun, they brought the team up to 16:17. Bogdanović also said hi (17:19). Turks quickly equalized and took back the lead, but Murić disagreed (21:21, then 21:23). In the last seconds of the quarter Turkish team led with 1 point, but Tepić successfully switched the counter to our side from free throw (24:25).
In the second quarter Turks kept the game more and more under their control, but thanks to Tepić we could gain back our advantage (31:32). Tepić had a fantastic performance tonight. He carried the team either under his arms or on his back, built up attacks, scored 3-pointers, he was the heart and soul of the team, throwing 21 points himself. Here he made a 7-point series (with two 3-pointers, 42:36). Yet Banvitspor started to raise the difference. 46:38 (Gagić scored from our side), 48:40 (Bogdanović had a 2-pointer free throw), the half time was 49:42.
In the third part of the game we made it from 51:42 to 53:48, with the great job of the Bogdanović-Milutinović pair.


What is more, at 55:48 Andrić scored two 3-pointers in a row (55:54). But then the home team made a 8:2 series (66:58, Milutinov scored from free throw in the meantime), and the difference got to be two-digit (69:58). Again Tepić came, now "only" with a 2-pointer, but the 11-point difference was reduced to one digit (69:60). At 69:62 Murić made a huge blocking, I hope there will be a video about it, it is worth to watch more than once. The end of the quarter was 69:65, Bogdanović adjusted the result in the last seconds.
Then came the last quarter, Murić and Tepić reduced the difference to 73:70, the latter one made it after a marvellous steal. Gagić added his part (73:72), Average Fan had cold sweat and put the defibrillator at hand.
Murić came, 75:74.
Bogdanović, too, 77:77.
Milutinov, 79:79.
Milutinov even threw us on the lead (79:81). But then he was fouled out and Banvit equalized (81:81). It was 83:81, Gagić equalized and after a short break came the extra time.
At 84:83 home team’s player Veremenko was fouled out. Tepić put us on the lead (84:85), after this Murić was also fouled out. The referees probably had this nursery rhyme in their head "this little piggy went to market..." Turks raised the difference. We couldn’t made it. That’s it. The end result was 90:85.

Banvitspor: Veyseloglu, Rowland (19), Gecim (1), Candan, Edge (4), Davis (14), Mejia (17), Veremenko (10), Simmons (5), Dragičević (20), Mutaf, Özer
KK Partizan: Tepić (21), Kouzeloglu, Murić (16), Marinković, Dallo, Milutinov (6), Gagić (10), Andrić (7), Milutinović (7), Glišić, Bezbradica, Bogdanović (18)

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The team has arrived in London

Tomorrow Partizan plays with Tottenham in Europa League, the boys travelled to London today.

Still at Nikola Tesla airport; because posing with the Christmas tree is a MUST

Meanwhile we got to know, Lukač is not just an excellent goalkeeper, but waiter as well

Checking in

Živković and Stevanović have a great mood, Petrović in the background has put himself into standby mode

At Heathrow: Kojić is playing on his phone, Ninković’s facial expression is priceless

Everyone got to know the team have landed safe


Happy

Determination and optimism

(photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)



Photo of the day - baklava-party

Turkish hosts treated Partizan-players with some local goodies.
(Bogdanović's facial expression is simply epic.)

(photo: Twitter/cempelister)


Daily low blow

If news are correct, Emir Bekrić, world championship bronze medal winner athlete, (one of) Serbia's pride leaves Partizan. It is shocking in itself, but what makes it even more shocking is that rumours say, he might transfer either to Radnički Kragujevac.
...or to Crvena Zvezda.

No. Just no. System failure. Reboot. Please. No. NO.

Update:
It's official: Emir Bekrić continues at Radnički Kragujevac. The reason behind his decision is that he can train and progress in much better conditions in Kragujevac.

:'(


Photo(s) of the day - Partizan was greeted with flowers by Banvitspor

Partizan plays on Wednesday against Bandirma-based Turkish team Banvitspor in the Eurocup-series. After the tragic event of the previous days a delegate of Banvitspor greeted Partizan's basketball team with flowers at the airport on their arrival.

(photo: Twitter/EurosportCom_TR) 

(photo: Twitter/Amkspor)


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

KK Partizan - Cibona 73:64 (Adriatic League)

We started with 5:5, then the Milutinov-Tepić brigade brought the team up to 14:8.

Excellent... Tepić is getting back to shape

Bald head brings luck

Cibona kept on trying, but Partizan raised the difference with turnovers (19:10). Murić made it to two-digit with a 3-pointer (22:12). The end of the first quarter was 24:16 to us.

Andreja Milutinović in action

In the second period Marinković shouted "that’s how we roll", joined by Mačvan and Murić.
And how do we roll?
Like this:




Nobody could stop us. We had a massive defense and overwhelming attack as well as Bogdanović’s 3-pointer (39:25).


Cibona tried to find their breath - with more or less success - but Partizan was irresistible. The half time was 45:30.
In the third quarter Partizan continued to wash up Pionir Hall with the Zagreb team (53:36). At the end of the period the Croatians sped up a bit (55:42), but Mačvan and Gagić interrupted. The end of the quarter brought the result of 61:50.


Air Dallo

Cibona still tried to pick themselves together (61:52), in the meantime Mačvan got a technical foul by a questionable referee judgement. Milutinov didn’t make a big deal of it, but rather threw a number of baskets (67:53).

There was even some wrestling

Mačvan also showed up with a 3-pointer (71:60), finally we won to 73:64.


And a bad news to the end: Partizan terminated contract on mutual agreement with Đoko Šalić. There are no details yet - as soon as there is any, the post will be updated.

(photos: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Mourning

Nenad Manojlović, former water polo player and coach of VK Partizan as well as manager of the Yugoslav national water polo team tragically died at the age of 57. He was on the road to Sofia to a seminar, when he died. Circumstances are yet to be clarified. His burial will be announced later.

(photo: hotsport.rs)


Monday, November 24, 2014

FK Partizan - Napredak 3:1 (Jelen SuperLiga, Round 13)

Brašanac and Pantić were watching it from the tribune

Both teams started hard, then in the 7th minute Ninković tested Napredak’s goalkeeper. A minute later Volkov headed a corner right into Popović’s hands. Another minute later (and we are still within the first 10 minutes) Drinčić kicked a 20-metre bomber to Napredak’s goal line, Popović caught it.
In the 16th minute Škuletić got a pass from the right side. He kicked - and shot right into the goalkeeper.
In the 18th minute fans on the southern tribune remembered 18-year-old Partizan fan Nemanja "Rambo" Antić, who died tragically. 18 torches were burning for his memory.



In the 21st minute Škuletić put himself into action again. The ball was stolen at the half-line from fumbling Napredak-players and Ninković gave a pass to Škuletić. He dribbled himself through the guest defenders and kicked an enormous shot - hitting the goalpost.

Match action: Nikola Ninković

In the 26th minute Drinčić made a 25-metre shot to the guests goal line. The goalkeeper saved, the ball dropped back to the penalty area. Lazović was running fast to catch it, but he couldn’t. A minute later Napredak made some uncomfortable moments in front of Partizan’s goal line, finally our defenders cleared the area.
In the 29th minute it could have been 1:0. Saša Ilić shot the ball into Napredak’s net, but the referee invalidated the goal saying it was offside.


But then came the real goal.
38th minute. Ninković got the ball on the left side and passed it to the middle with a powerful kick. Lazović raised from the mass (with a defender on his neck) and headed the ball into the net. 1:0



The last minutes still had some action left. First Drinčić ran up on the right with the ball and passed it to Škuletić in the middle. He shot it with a frenetic movement. The goalkeeper saved, yet if it had been a score, it would have been the Goal of the Year. Then a 30-metre sheer Drinčić-free kick bomber came, but the goalkeeper inactivated it.

Match action: Saša Marković

In the second half Napredak tried to get a grip and get the control over the game. In the 51st minute Trujić had a try from the penalty area line, with no success. A few minutes later Stanojević headed the ball dangerously to Partizan’s goal line after a corner, but Lukač was at his place.
In the 60th minute Marković gave a long pass to Ninković. Everyone’s favourite Džigi headed the ball to the net passing by the goalkeeper running out - but the ball dropped out of the field just barely missing the goalpost.
In the meantime fans remembered 17-year-old Gojko Sekulić, who also tragically lost his life.


This was not the end.
Grave Diggers remembered that Crvena Zvezda fan who was stabbed to death by Turkish fans on 22nd November at the Galatasaray - Crvena Zvezda basketball match.


Meanwhile in the 68th minute Dimitrov had a subtle try, barely missed. Škuletić also had a try from a counter-attack, no success.
Two minutes later Andrija Živković (who joined the game as substitute) passed the ball from the left to the middle, almost from the base line. Lazović jumped up to head it to the goal line, but he was late with just one step. But nothing was lost, because there was Branko Ilić sneaking behind him. The Partizan-defender grabbed the ball and shot it to Napredak’s goal (while making a "tunnel trick" to Frimpong). 2:0


In the 82nd minute Bajić had a try from counter-attack, but his shot was way too wide. Three minutes later Trujić made a shot from a sharp angle, but the ball rolled over in front of the goal line.
Then in the 86th minute Škuletić realized that the match is almost over, but he still haven’t scored a goal. He ran up, stole the ball from a Napredak defender and made a marvellous, 40-metre solo run all alone. He left everyone behind him, dribbled the desperate Popović, who ran out, and walked in to the net with a wide grin, seriously, only the red carpet was missing. 3:0


In the 88th minute Lukač saved Cvetković’s shot. Then we were pretty much in the extra time, most probably everyone was focusing on the aftermatch hot shower, when Napredak made a sudden attack in the 90+3rd minute. Lukač saved Trujić’s shot, but the ball dropped right in front of Ndiaye. The Senegalese striker shot and scored into the empty net. 3:1

Highlights:


Facts:

Venue: Partizan Stadion
Number of spectators: 3000
Referee: Vlado Glođović (assistants: Srđan Kaurin, Matija Olajos-Nagy - 4th assistant: Branko Pavlović - goal line assistants: Aleksandar Vasić, Róbert Kis-Csepegi)

FK Partizan: Lukač - B. Ilić (Kojić, 88.), Ćirković, Stanković, Volkov - S. Ilić, Marković, Drinčić, Ninković (A. Živković, 71.) - Lazović (Luka, 78.), Škuletić
Head coach: Marko Nikolić

Napredak: Popović - Cvetković, Frimpong, Jančić, Urošević - Stanojević (Dimitrov, 66.) - Lazić, Gobeljić, Trujić - Ndiaye, Božović (Bajić, 75.)
Head coach: Saša Štrbac

Goal scorers: Lazović (36.), B. Ilić (72.), Škuletić 85.), Ndiaye (90+3.)
Yellow card: Gobeljić (32.), Božović (38.), Urošević (55.), A. Živković (77.),  Dimitrov (78.)

Current championship standings:
1. Partizan 34 points
2. Crvena Zvezda 28 points
3. Vojvodina 26 points
4. Čukarički 22 points
5. OFK Beograd 21 points
6. Novi Pazar 20 points*
7. Mladost 17 points
8. Jagodina 17 points
9. Spartak Zlatibor Voda 17 points
10. Rad 15 points
11. Donji Srem 15 points
12. Borac 12 points
13. FK Voždovac 11 points*
14. Radnički Niš 11 points
15. Napredak 10 points
16. Radnički 1923 7 points

Teams marked with * played only 12 matches.

(photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)