News

The scandal around Gagić doesn’t want to calm down. The basketball team had a bitter press release that includes even personalities. The person in question still didn’t talk to the press. Rumours speak about Gagić setting up a claim against the team to get his salary the team still couldn’t pay for him. Other than these, everyone is just guessing.

Dear Basketball Team,
I love you a lot. You gave me countless wonderful, fantastic moments. Not only to me. With and without Gagić. I very kindly ask you never ever to make such a press release. It does not matter what was the reason behind, that made Gagić decide to take these steps. It does not matter what he said and what he is about to do. You must know, because you’re not blind, hell broke loose among fans. Your job would be now to calm the heated atmosphere down, not pouring oil to the fire. There are things that are not for the public. Getting personal in private is fine, but is strictly forbidden in a press release. Let us respect each other enough not to generate media war from the by default nasty incident. We must avoid to give reason for the numerous enemies of the club to further intrigues. No matter how painful or upsetting you see all these that happened, you must never forget your own responsibility for your fans.

Yours faithfully,
a very bitter and disappointed fan

***

Gregor Balažić is now officially Partizan’s player. Today was the press conference, the player got the number 6.

(photo: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

***

Ivan Bandalovski debuted in the football team. Partizan played today a preparational game against Sinđelić. We won to 5:0, goal scorers are Radulović (own goal) 15., Ninović (penalty) 41., Kojić 56., Marinković 59., Šaponjić 67.

(photo: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

***

Scandal has been swirling around Pantić, too. The latest news were about Chelsea buying him. Not much later Partizan offered him a stupendous contract, which the midfielder refused to sign. Right now all that we know is that Pantić will not travel back to Belgrade with the team from the Turkey training camp.
Marko Nikolić told hotsport.rs he is sorry things got this turn with Pantić. As he said, the midfielder was dropped out of the team even before Nikolić arrived, having a six-month-long suspension. Nikolić said, for Pantić it would be the best to stay for at least two more seasons at Partizan instead of hanging on loans by big teams. He added, this decision was made by Pantić’s parents and manager, making it clear the player himself didn’t have much say in it all, if any.

***

Milan Mačvan is Player of the Month in January at Adriatic League.

(photo: Facebook/ABA Liga)

Good and bad news

Let’s start with the bad one.
Đorđe Gagić leaves Partizan. The player allegedly asked on today’s evening training to terminate his contract. There are no details available yet, nevertheless with this day Gagić stopped visiting Partizan’s trainings.

Good news is that the football team got another new player. Gregor Balažić, a Slovenian-born (Murska Sobota) central midfield signed to Partizan for one and a half year. Details to be announced soon.

Update:
Extra edition.
Vojislav Stanković allegedly signed to Inter Baku.
(No comment.)

Update 2:
Partizan confirmed in a short Facebook-post that Gagić indeed left the team for financial reasons. An enormous mud-throwing has started on social media sites, fans don’t hide their anger and disappointment. Additionally, a mysterious message is circling around the internet, allegedly from Saša Pavlović’s Instagram profile, where the former NBA-player clearly takes his stand on the case.
As for me, I dissociate myself from all this mud-throwing. It is disgusting. It is such a depth where no one should fall. Whether you know the truth or not.

KK Partizan - Igokea 74:65 (Adriatic League)

Pionir Hall was fully crowded, with 7000 screaming, jumping, singing holy madmen.

Again it was like at previous matches, the guest team threw a basket. Just one. Then we took control into our hands and didn’t let them even take a breath. (Just we didn’t want to appear as unpolite hosts.)

Duško Vujošević and the Red Carnage (Punk)Revolution

(photo: Facebook/Гробари ЈУГ!!!)

First things first. Milutinov equalized at 0:2 with a fantastic teamwork. We made it to 10:6, then Milosavljević scored the first 3-pointer of the match. The standing changed to 16:8, Gagić raised it to two-digit, scoring while falling on the floor, with numerous guest players hanging on him (18:10). We ended the quarter with 21:13, Andrić threw a 3-pointer before the buzz.

Dragan Milosavljević during a pause

(photo: Twitter)

After the start of the second quarter Igokea tried to pick themselves together (21:15, then 21:17), but then came Gagić, the Destroying Force and the counter switched to 23:17. Then again him, now from free throw (25:19), and with the Captain’s 3-pointer it was 28:19.

(kép: Facebook/KK Partizan)

At this point the pace slowed down a bit. Igokea demonstrated less and less power, while we were just doing our job. Marinković settled back the two-digit difference (30:19), Igokea’s answer was a 2:8 series (32:26). At 32:28 Partizan got a free throw. Milutinov stood at the paint, he scored from the first throw, but the second fell down from the ring. Mačvan was sneaking there, he swooped the ball and threw it mercilessly (35:28). Milutinov made a giant block, then Murić set the half-time result with a great 3-pointer as well as the two-digit difference (38:28).

During the half-time children were playing on the parquet

 

(photos: Twitter)

The second half started with Mačvan’s troll basket at 38:30. All players were crowding under Igokea’s backboard, the ball was about to drop out of the playing field, when a guest player saved it with a brilliant movement, throwing himself for the ball. He threw it back to the field (while he himself was sliding away on the floor towards the tribunes, the cleaning staff had quite a work to do afterwards). Mačvan just reached out, caught the ball and threw it to Igokea’s ring. 40:30

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

The game was going on then with a medium pace, a basket here, a basket there, keeping our advantage. The standing was 52:43, when Marinković made a magnificent block in a seemingly lost situation.

Milosavljević re-settled the 10-point difference (54:43). Igokea’s trainer got a technical foul after complaining against the referees’ judgement. Afterwards they tried with two 3-pointers, but even that way we were on the lead. The standing was 57:49 before entering the final period.
The last quarter was opened by Dallo (59:49).

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Igokea reduced the difference to 59:57 with a 8:0 series, but then Andrić got fed up with the fumbling and scored a 3-pointer (62:57). Igokea was still speeding up, it was 62:61, it would have been a very bad joke to bleed to death here, in the fourth quarter. At 64:63 both Murić and Mačvan scored a 3-pointer, saving lives (70:63). Partizan had two scores left, while Igokea made only one during the time remained. (74:65).

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

The ecstasy of 7000 people condensed into 15 minutes. A must-see.

Update: it might have been the last match for Luka Bogdanović wearing Partizan’s jersey. The player got an offer from a Spanish club that he allegedly accepted. (Some sources say he made an "open" contract with Partizan that he can transfer any time he gets an offer from a foreign team.)

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.

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)

Birthday

Today is the 24th birthday of Đorđe Gagić, KK Partizan’s power forward.

This photo was taken during the 2012/13 Adriatic League championship title win, with Gagić (middle), Joffrey Lauvergne (left) and Léo Westermann (right)

(photo: novosti.rs)

Srećan rođendan!

Photos from the 2015 basketball calendar presentation

You can even buy the calendar at Crno-beli Butik or here.

Update: a little insight.

Photos: Facebook/KK Partizan

KK Zadar - KK Partizan 69:68 (Adriatic League)

This was a match to forget.

I tell you all: if anyone wants to mock or make Andrić ridiculous, then please, throw yourselves off from Taygetus now.

Zadar kept the whole match under control. We could equalize maybe once, for a very short while, but it was gone.
The first quarter passed mostly with them leading with 1-2 throws, while we tried to keep the pace. It happened at this point that we equalized to 10:10. The quarter ended with 15:12, and even that last basket from us was thrown by Milutinov after long moments of wrestling, shortly before the end buzz.
Our ordeal continued in the second quarter. We had a bad day with bad luck, nothing wanted to work. It wasn’t much of our comfort that Zadar was also struggling with throwing baskets, but luck was still on their side.
Well, we could still make it. See here Saša Pavlović pushing himself through two Croatian players, then throwing a basket as if it was the world’s easiest task.

We could come up to 30:26, thanks to Pavlović and Gagi Kapiten. The half-time was 34:27.
Right at the beginning of the next quarter Gagić fell on the floor and stayed there with a painful face. He was supported by two people while jumping off the court on one leg. For a while he was out. (Though at first he looked as if he would be out for at least a few weeks.)

With the help of Mačvan and Marinković we could make it to 34:32. Both sides had a lot of missed chances, then at 38:34 Gagić, the hero returned to the battle. Yet the overall situation didn’t change, Zadar was always ahead with 2-4 points. Before the end of the quarter we had this scene, then we headed to the final with 50:42.

In the last quarter Pavlović made this, assisted by Dallo:

Other than this we hung in there heroically. Milutinov had a dunk, then later he came up for a free throw with painful waist (61:56). He had to come off, he was substituted by Bogdanović. The last minutes were full of free throws, there were many fouls. Milosavljević was fouled out. At 66:61 Andrić threw a 3-pointer. Zadar kept their advantage from free throw (68:64), Andrić’s answer was another 3-pointer (68:67). Another free throw for Zadar (69:67), and at this point, just a few seconds from the end Partizan also got a free throw. Andrić stood to the paint area - and the second throw was missed out. That’s it, boys. You’re all heroes.

Andrić, you’re especially a hero. I hope you would never think we stop believing you even for a moment.

KK Partizan - Mega Leks 89:80 (Adriatic League)

This match was about Saša Pavlović.
Saša Pavlović, who was burning on thousand million degrees, who humiliated former Mega Vizura, now Mega Leks (but still operating in panties-pink and baby-blue outfit) to pieces and made a show together with the others that I tell you, dear fellow fans, this will be a match to remember.
Well, not because Pavlović was kissed by Krstić in the heat of the battle.

At first Mega Leks was leading to 0:6. Tepić threw a basket after more than 4 minutes. Mačvan scored twice, then Milutinov also gave a life-sign - and we equalized (8:8). What is more, Saša Pavlović took us on the lead and even increased the difference (12:8) with such a Tepić-assist that made Average Fan’s eyes wet. From this we were keeping our advantage. And if maybe Saša Pavlović made any mistake, Milutinov was immediately there and BANG.

At 15:12 Marinković threw a 3-pointer, because it’s better to be safe than sorry. The end of the quarter was 18:14.
In the second quarter Tepić galooped out to the floor, looked around and scored (20:14).

We increased to 25:16, but someone should tell me (it’ll be fine into the comment box) what reduced Milosavljević’s and Andrić’s 3-pointer into simple 2-pointer scores and why Mačvan’s goal was invalid... Nevertheless, we were on the lead, to 29:21. Then to 32:27. Then Bezbradica also scored (38:31). Pavlović worked hard and finally made our advantage two-digit (41:31).

"I scored thiiiiiis big, breeeeeee!"

And just before the half-time we could see such a brilliant teamwork by Pavlović, Marinković and Gagić that made Pionir Hall explode.

In the second half, right at the very beginning there was again a fantastic collaboration among Pavlović, Milosavljević and Gagić (45:36). If I find any video about it, I put it here, I promise. Meanwhile Mega Leks reduced the difference to 47:41, we quickly made a 6:1-series as an answer (thanks to Gagić and Mačvan) and the standing changed to 53:42. Gagić showed again as The Destroying Force (56:46), then at 57:49 referees punished Duško Vujošević with two technical fouls at a time, just two minutes before the end of the quarter.
As it was found out later, Partizan’s trainer questioned referee Ilija Belošević’s judgement (and most probably his mental state as well) after Belošević fouled Milutinov for blocking Kešelj. After the dispute the referee put two technical fouls on Vujošević even without taking a breath between them. Partizan’s head coach had to leave the playing ground. Then hell broke loose mostly because Vujošević did not want to leave the ground, also because he clearly told the referee what he should do, how and with whom... The referee said, the match would stay on halt until Vujošević stays at the bench. Finally Dragan Todorić, KK Partizan’s president took the trainer by his arm and guarded him to the tunnel that leads to the locker-rooms.

The upset trainer said "Belošević is an idiot" the post-match press conference. Adriatic League’s delicate gentlemen up there at the Olympos didn’t really appreciate Vujošević’s determined and clear-sighted point of view - they punished the team to pay 3100 euros as a recompense to Adriatic League and banned Duško Vujošević for 3 matches. Bravo, gentlemen. Greetings to you up there. I hope you’ll get a hiccup fit soon.

Meanwhile Mega Leks equalized (and the referees overlooked a Partizan-player being pushed on the floor). We went for the last quarter with 59:59, and yes, the equalizing basket came right at the end buzz.

Dallo denying all laws of physics

Before the fourth quarter Duško Vujošević appeared again at the bench. This again took some time, referees seemed to be more and more nervous as they gesticulated widely, pointing at the exit. In the meantime Pavlović again took us on the lead (62:59), and scored another, for safety’s sake (65:59). Mega Leks reduced it to 68:66, so it was high time to kickstart the Steam Roller. The Pavlović-Tepić-Milutinov axis made a marvellous 9:2 series that was crowned with this:

The last minutes of the quarter were about self-confident leading. Pavlović and Tepić were throwing baskets, Gagić had a giant block. (Pity they forgot about Bojić, yet it was still one of the greatest blockades of the game.)

We brought back our two-digit advantage, but the referees just had to give two free throws to Mega Leks. We could still win with 9 points.

Murić hugs Marinković after the match

A tiny hand in Gagić’s big palm

United high-five

(photos: Facebook/KK Partizan)