KK Metalac Farmakom - KK Partizan 72:83 (Adriatic League)

This match was the return of Edo Murić, he couldn’t do it with more style.
We ran out to the parquet and took the lead to 0:7.
Then on 2:11.
The Valjevo team picked themselves together a bit and made it to 9:11. Then Mačvan and Pavlović settled back World Peace (9:18).
At this point entered Edo Murić, with tapes on his shoulder. He ran to the ground (with great ovation by Grave Diggers), Gagić performed a brutal block, Murić got the ball, he thanked and did the Slam Dunk of the Year.

Afterwards, at 17:22 he scored a great 3-pointer, from God knows how many metres. It must be spread as an instructional DVD. Now. With this result (17:25) we entered the second quarter.
Murić did his job (17:27). We kept the double digit difference: 21:32, with Milosavljević’s fantastic 3-pointer, then 22:36 by Milutinov, with Mačvan’s assist. This latter one also threw a basket (26:38) with great teamwork by Andrić.
At 28:41 Metalac reduced the difference with 5 points (33:41), then at 33:44 arrived the Destroying Force, aka Đorđe Gagić.

This Gagić-show came after a wrestling scene with players and trainers yelling with the referees and it was followed by yelling again, because Murić got a technical foul. If the slow motion replay showed it correctly, he was fouled for a (one) block. You get what I mean. His blocking was too drastic. That Murić, who is this typical nice boy from the neighbourhood, that is too nice to do even an undrastic movement (not mentioning a drastic one). Nevertheless he got a technical foul, Metalac scored from free throw that followed (38:44). The half time result was 38:45, Tepić adjusted the standing a bit before the break.
In the third quarter hell broke loose slowly but surely. Partizan players were fouled one by one, there was even a technical one among them. As a result, Metalac switched the standing, they were leading to 51:50. Mačvan set it back (51:52), so did Metalac (53:52), then Pavlović thought it was enough (52:54), then after Milosavljević’s basket (52:56) Pavlović was fouled for a block. The opponent reduced the difference step by step, then equalized (58:58) and even scored themselves to the leading position (60:58). Milutinov equalized with a dunk.

The result of the quarter was 60:63.

In the last period we made the difference to 60:67 and from then on we kept our advantage. Metalac was behind us sometimes with just 1-2 points. In the meantime Murić was fouled out, Gagić got a smash on his face that he fell on the floor, a basket by Pavlović turned out to be invalid, but we could still keep the difference. We even made a 4:13 series at the end, the last basket was scored by the Captain.

Match highlights:

League standings after 18 rounds:
1. CZ 34 points*
2. Budućnost Podgorica 33 points
3. Cedevita 30 points
4. Partizan 29 points
5. Union Olimpija 27 points
6. Cibona 27 points
7. Krka 26 points
8. Szolnoki Olaj 26 points
9. Metalac 26 points
10. Mega Leks 25 points
11. Zadar 24 points
12. MZT Skopje 24 points
13. Igokea 23 points
14. Levszki Szófia 18 points*

Teams marked with * played only 17 matches so far.

Throw of the day

Presented by Jan Vesely.

Photo of the day - Ne ljuti se

(Aka "Mensch, ärgere dich nicht", but I like the Serbian name more.)

or
How to spend free time in the training camp?
Comedy in one act.
Cast: Vojislav Stanković, Nikola Ninković, Saša Ilić and Petar Grbić.

(photo: Twitter)

OK Partizan - OK Novi Pazar 3:0

We’ve been undefeated for the 12th match now. It’s something absolutely unique in the volleyball team’s history.
Novi Pazar tried to keep things under control, at the beginning they were on the lead, being ahead of us with 2-3 points. The truth is, they couldn’t keep things in hand and with numerous faults and mistakes they lost the first set. The result was 25:22.
Then it was time for us to show who’s the boss. Mrdak turned on his usual crushing form (he scored 21 ponts on this match) joined by the Mijailović-Kostić duo and we quickly made our way to 14:9.

Match action: Mijailović smashes while Novi Pazar players try to block him

(photo: zurnal.rs)

We were ahead to 23:18 when the guest team reduced the difference with 2 points. Then came Mrdak again and mercilessly crashed the lines of Novi Pazar. We won the second game to 25:21.
Guests picked themselves together for the last set and made it to 0:3. But Partizan started up the Steam Roller, at 18:9 the only question left was to win with 10 points or keep ourselves to the one-digit difference. The end result of the set was 25:15, and Partizan is leading the league table after 12 played games with 33 points, having 6 points of advantage ahead of Crvena Zvezda, that stays at the second place.

Photos from the winter preparations

The boys were sent off to Košutnjak to run. (Before anyone gets a heart attack that they had to run straight from Zemun: they were all taken there by bus.)

Ready to kickstart the Steam Roller: Gribć and Babović

Yes, Stanković is still here preparing with the team

So is Volkov...

...Šaponjić arriving behind him can confirm it

Nemanja Kojić

The Captain: Saša Ilić

Brašanac has this wide grin on his face even while running behind Pantić

"Let’s speed up or else we’ll miss breakfast"

Team Živković, doing their best

Petar Škuletić with Mirosla Bogosavac

The prize: many bottles of mineral water

It gives extra spirit to Ninković

Post-running power walk á la Drinčić

Always listen to what experienced players say: Saša Ilić giving tips to Pantić and Brašanac

There are some for whom even this long run couldn’t turn down high spirit

Stretching and crackling joints

Lazović and Branko Ilić stretching

A bunch of youngsters: Marinković, Pantić, Lukić and Šaponjić

Džigi always gets to find a photogenic pose

Photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan

Szolnoki Dózsa - VK Partizan 12:7 (Champions League)

A message to all Serbian sports channels as well as to the state-owned TV: I send you all a wire-brush to put it up for yourselves. Why did NONE of you broadcast this match? Why?... Is Partizan this much out of importance? To whom would it have hurt to put this match on their programme?

A question to Hungarian "Sport 1" sports channel: do you really pay for these presenters?... If you had picked two random Szolnok-fans, even they would have presented this match with much higher standards than these two idiots. (Don't take me wrong, I don't want to hurt Szolnok's fans. On the contrary.) Does it feel good for you to mock Partizan and Vujasinović live, while the broadcast lacks the most basic professionalism?

Rističević had a great save as a warm-up, then Mandić greeted everyone with a goal (0:1). Not much later Szolnok equalized. We tried to pressure them, but they had Decker at their goal line who is the goalkeeper of the national team as well, while in the goalmouth there were mountain-sized players watching, and if anyone from Partizan made even just a small movement, at least two home team members got on him and pushed him into the concrete of the pool. After this Szolnok took the lead, Varga threw the ball into our net from about 2 centimetres. We tried with a counter-attack, but when such a thing happened, two Szolnok-players made a "sandwich" taking the sometimes barely 20-year-old Partizan player between themselves pressuring him so heavily that he dropped the ball from his hand. Referees either whistled or not, but even if they did, we got usually just a free throw, but no send-off happened. The standing reached to 3:1. Rističević was in great shape, despite all, he even had great saves while Szolnok was in power play.
The second quarter wasn’t much better. Rističević held the "fortress" like a hero, but when Szolnok got into power play again, that was too much even for him (4:1). Mandić kept on trying, but Decker saved everything, he even sent an evil grin to Partizan’s young player. Then Stojanović decided to do something - and scored (4:2). Rističević again saved in power play, Jakšić heartened up and our difference was just one goal then (4:3).
The problem was that referees heartened up as well and gave a penalty shot for Szolnok.

I swear I have no idea why. The scene was replayed in slow motion a few times, I didn’t see anything. Mountain-sized Szolnok player vs. kid-faced Serbian youngster. You can imagine. Partizan’s player desperately tries to keep the pace, the referee suddenly whistles and gives penalty shot out of the blue.

Trainer Vujasinović complained, but the referees didn’t listen. Szolnok scored. 5:3
There were a few missed chances, also great saves by Rističević. Then we could have a longer pause.
The third quarter started again with Rističević. He had a great save in the first moments of the second half, but a few minutes later he was overwhelmed. (6:3) Then we got into power play after a long time. We took advantage of it, Mandić scored (6:4). What is more, thanks to Repanović, the standing was 6:5 not much later.
It didn’t take long... Szolnok quickly scored (7:5), while the camera showed their team member tearing a Partizan player into small pieces. The referees were just watching it

popcorn, maybe?...

...then they sent off a Partizan-player, because Szolnok didn’t have enough power play time yet. Rističević and our defense line stopped Szolnok’s attack and we made a quick counter-attack. We even got into power play, but we missed. We could immediately see the consequences, Szolnok scored again (8:5). Subotić had a try, then the quarter ended. We could have a few minutes of rest, then came the final period.
It came, so did Mandić (8:6). Szolnok quickly scored (9:6), Partizan’s answer was again Mandić (9:7). Gogov missed a chance, Szolnok made a counter-attack and scored (10:7). Then again... (11:7) while referees again didn’t mind Szolnok players drowning someone from Partizan slowly into the water. Only the coup de grace was left (12:7) as well as some great moments by Rističević. Then the referees did the final whistle.

The first official photo about Babović

Fresh and crispy, just for you.

(photo: Twitter/FKPartizanBG)

Update: more photos + video

 (photos: Twitter)

(photo: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

Serbian New Year

I wish blessed, Happy New Year to everyone who is celebrating now.

Srećna Srpska Nova Godina!

News in bulk

Fofana left for China. It's official. Partizan put the Ivory Coast player on loan to Qingdao Jonoon FC for 12 months.

It's revolting. This highly talented, golden-hearted youngster should not rot and get forgotten in China. He should have been transported to Western Europe, after those in charge definitely wanted to put him on loan. May all those whom it concerns put up a wire-brush to themselves.

***

If that was not enough, another Chinese team is interested in Petar Škuletić. (What the hell is going on there?...) The unnamed team offered 4 million euros for the striker, but after the Lille-adventure the management made it clear, Škuletić is not for sale. The player had only a resigned comment to mozzartsport.com saying the world would not collapse if he had to stay in ul. Humska, but he would have to find out how to manage his livelihood. (Yes, Partizan’s financial state is still between "horror" and "unbelievable".)

***

Hotsport made an interview with former Partizan player Igor Duljaj. The entire text can be read here, now I just try to pick some highlights. Duljaj has been playing in Ukraine for more than 6 years, but due to the civil war his team, Sevastopol ceased to be. All players were discharged, many of them ended their professional career. Duljaj got some offers from Greece, but he decided to give up being an active football player and enrolled to a trainers’ course in Kiev. He also tells about his experiences living in a civil war area, talks about the current state of Serbian football as well as many others.

***

It’s official: Partizan signed (again) Stefan Babović. Announcement and press conference will be tomorrow at 13:00.

***

Ulsan Hyundai, a football team from South Korea is interested in signing Vladimir Volkov. The defender has nothing against it either, mozzartsport.com says the making of the contract is in the final stage. (Let’s not draw quick conclusions. Volkov is still with the team that just started the winter preparations.)

***

Vanja Marinković has signed his first ever professional contract with KK Partizan for 4 years.

(photo: kkpartizan.rs)

***

Milutin Đukanović from Montenegro arrived at KK Partizan for a "test run". KK Lovćen Cetinje’s player will be tested as a point guard.

***

Partizan’s water polo team will clash with Galatasaray in Champions League on 17th January. However, after the basketball tragedy in November the match will be played behind closed gates. VK Partizan wrote a letter to the Serbian Ministry of Home Affairs to allow their fans to enter the Banjica sports hall and watch the game. No reply has been received so far.

KK Partizan - Union Olimpija 81:74 (Adriatic League)

It says all, it needs no further comments. A message to Joffrey Lauvergne.

"Žo, we remember you... we are waiting for you..."

(photo: Twitter)

Mačvan walked out of the locker-room with tapes on his shoulder and the facial expression of an old man suffering from rheuma. Then this rheumatic old man swept through the floor like a thunderbolt, washing up Pionir Hall with the Slovenians.

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Saša Pavlović got his own "duct tapes" at the warming-up

(photo: Twitter)

Warming up, cracking joints

(photo: Twitter)

Olimpija took a deep breath and made it to 0:4.

(photo: Twitter)

Then Milosavljević reduced the difference after a great turnover (2:4), then Mačvan caught Marinković’s rebound (at least 3 Slovenians were hanging on the neck of Partizan’s young player) and equalized. Then he quickly scored from free throw, followed by Andrić’s 3-pointer (9:4). We mastered the first quarter, while the cameras focused on the tribune, where Saša Đorđević was watching the game.

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Even Pavlović could make a trick by stealing the ball, dribbling himself through the line of Union-players and crown it with a basket (21:17). The end of the quarter was 24:22.

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

For the second period Olimpija picked themselves together and sent their top gun into the game, Dino Murić. Yes, the brother of that Edo Murić, who is playing for Partizan (though right now still being on sick-leave). Big bro walked on the floor and took the lead for Union (24:26), then after Gagić’s equalizing basket he scored again (26:28). Andrić and the Captain finally stabilized the situation (34:28).

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

The atmosphere was heated on the floor, players got into fights, pushing each other, sometimes ever ending up in wrestling. Olimpija was on the lead at the end of the first half (38:39).

At every game in Pionir Hall children are allowed to be on the parquet in the half-time. They can play there, they can even try out to throw baskets with basketballs.

(photo: Twitter)

After the break big bro Murić was still carrying the opponent team on his back (40:41).

A message to all whom it concerns: Dino Murić must be signed to KK Partizan immediately. On one hand this kid is a genius, on the other hand if he plays for Partizan, he’ll destroy opponent nerve cells, not mine.

Finally Milutinov pushed us back to the lead (42:41), but the Slovenian team heartened up and switched the standing back on their side (44:46). Gagić equalized, then after a fantastic Mačvan - Pavlović teamwork he scored and Partizan was leading again.

The rest of the quarter was owned by Mačvan. Except from a Gagić-free throw he scored all the points of Partizan. We started the final period with 54:50.
The last quarter was rather about wrestling than actual basketball. Slaps in the face (with elbow or shoulder, in a subtle way) and it says all the majority of points scored in this period came from free throws on both sides. Olimpija equalized (63:63), Pavlović got us back on the lead, but Slovenians again equalized (65:65). Mačvan put his brakes on and formed an axis with Milutinović. They gained back control for us, earning even a bonus shot. (68:65).

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Union got a row of free throws, they even switched the standing to 68:69, but Mačvan disagreed (70:69). We made a 8:2 series (78:71), finally we settled the final result with the help of Milosavljević and Tepić from free throws (81:74).

 (photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

(photo: Twitter)