Metalac - KK Partizan 69:73 (Serbian Superliga semifinal, 2nd match)

This game was a lot different from the previous one with the easy-going 20-point difference. This time it was much closer, with more mistakes and at least questionnable referee judgements.

Warming up

In the first quarter we were on the lead for the whole time, usually with 2-3-4 points. At one point Metalac equalized (10:10), but Milosavljević quickly scored a 3-pointer and we took back the lead (10:13). It seemed though, the opponent tries everything to inactivate Mačvan. We finished the first part with 16:19.

A free throw in the first quarter

For the second quarter Milutinov already had a scratch on his neck, while Marinković got two fouls within a short time. Duško Vujošević questionned the referees’ judgement with big gestures, in exchange he got a technical foul. Personal fouls happened as often as at the previous game, the difference was that this time the judgements lacked logics.

Like, e.g. Mačvan was fouled because why not.

Meanwhile Metalac made a 5:2 series and took the lead (22:21). Milutinović decided to end it and quickly switched the standing to 22:25.
The game looked the same as in the first quarter. It was fragmented with lots of mistakes and fouls. Barely any basket was thrown. We finished the first half with 32:34.

Snapshot from the second quarter

The third quarter started with a short delay, because the ball disappeared. People were rushing up and down, finally they found a basketball and we could start the second half. Mačvan scored with a hook (32:36), then Milutinov performed the Block of the Year.

(image: glimmerkkp.blogspot.com)

The game itself looked still the same, with almost no baskets and lots of fouls. Tepić was also fouled, all of a sudden, randomly, while ArenaSport’s commentators laughed loud on air that the sun was glaring into the Valjevo sports hall burning the eyes of the players.
At 36:38 Pavlović scored a life-saving 3-pointer (36:41). Then we could score only from free throw for quite a time. No, not because we are so lame and we can’t score from action, but because there were so many fouls. Andrić got his 4th personal foul

because why not

Metalac took back the lead (43:42), Tepić took it back (43:44). Metalac equalized (44:44), then Tepić and Mačvan quickly scored 5 points (44:49). We finished the third quarter with 46:53, Đumić scored, followed by Tepić, we had a 6-point difference.
In the last quarter the Bezbradica-Tepić-Milosavljević axis increased our difference to 10 points (50:60) and we tried to keep it. We could, what is more, at a point we made it to 15 points (52:67).

Miša Tumbas was there, of course

Then Metalac made a 13-point series. 65:67. They were right behind us. Mačvan immediately scored a 3-pointer (65:70), in the meantime Duško Vujošević got into a debate with the officials of the basketball association. On the court there was a heavy and bitter battle, still without scores. 9 seconds before the end Andrić was fouled out, 2 seconds before the end Jeremić also got his 5th personal foul. At the very end, at 69:71 we got a free throw, Milosavljević scored from it (69:73). Partizan qualified to the superliga final, where we’ll clash with Crvena Zvezda. The first match takes part on 12th June.

Miša at the end of the game...

...happily celebrated with the team

(Unmarked photos: Twitter)