Besiktas - KK Partizan 77:62 (Basketball Champions League, round 2)

This was painful :(
We didn’t have such a bad start though. In the beginning we kept the pace with Besiktas, we even took the lead (7:8). Turks took it back, but we were always behind them with one step (16:13, 19:16). The quarter ended with 25:16, though at this point it seemed nothing is lost yet.

In the second quarter Turks reached the 10-point difference (26:16). They couldn’t be too proud of themselves, because they missed out a lot of chances. So did we... that was the problem.

Besiktas missed out chances, thanks to Luković and his XXL blocks

We jumped to 30:25 with Robinson’s baskets, but we seemed to run out of breath even at this point. It was a tough quarter, we made many mistakes and even though Besiktas was not on top either, it brought us no comfort. (Small malicious grin: Partizan-players surrounded Štimac and brought him a few moments CZ’s ex-player surely doesn’t want to remember.) The first half ended with 35:31, Hatcher scored at the end.

In the third quarter Besiktas brought back their 10-point advantage (55:45). Something just didn’t work. No breath. We slowly collapsed. That’s the truth... The quarter ended with 60:45.
In the last part Besiktas practically did whatever they just wanted. At the end they were leading with 23 points... From this point on all that was left for us was to die with dignity.
That was all. 77:62.

Besiktas: Güler (3), Clark (8), Edge (3), Karli, Štimac (12), Thompson (14), Roll (16), Sanli (4), Strawberry (10), Sipahi, Weems (7), Karaman

KK Partizan: Robinson (5), Ratkovica (9), Vrabac (9), Marinković (2), Majstorović, Birčević (15), Koprivica (1), Andrić, Hatcher (13), Pot, Karahodžić (4), Luković (4)

Current standing of Group E:
1. AEK 4 points
2. Besiktas 4 points
3. Dinamo Sassari 3 points
4. Stelmet Zielona Gora 3 points
5. KK Partizan 3 points
6. Szolnoki Olaj 3 points
7. Ludwigsburg 2 points
8. Proximus Spirou 2 points

(photos: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Besiktas - FK Partizan 2:1 (UEFA Europa League)

In the first minute we wanted to throw in the usual "hey, goalkeeper, whazzup"-trick, but the assistant was waving offside. Then the game (I mean, wrestling) was going on mostly in the midfield, when in the 8th minute Besiktas had a try. Özyakup had a very weak shot, the ball flew out of the field. Two minutes later Demba Ba sent another weak, flat shot to Lukač.

But at least they tried, we couldn’t even make it to the opponent’s penalty area.

In the 12th minute Besiktas again came, saw and Lukač saved. And that’s how it was going on. Töre had two goal shots within 2 minutes, the first was rather dangerous. Lukač had a great save, pushing the ball to corner. The second was too high, the shot flew out, far above the goalpost.
We could get to Besiktas’s goal line in the 19th minute (until then goalkeeper Gönen could have a little nap...), even made our first corner kick of the match. Gönen woke up, caught the ball, the show had to go on.
Two minutes later our defense line made such a mistake that Average Fan's hair visibly started to turn into grey. Luckily we didn't get into big trouble, Lukač - when will he get a statue?... - arrived in excellent pace and caught the ball. Turks attacked again in the 22nd minute, Köybasi passed the ball into the middle. It seemed as if Demba Ba fell on the ground, but Kavlak grabbed the ball. It ended with a corner.

We were trying, too. Seriously. But it was impossible to get to their goal line, their defense line blocked everything.

The home team got a free kick in the 28th minute, about 22 metres from Partizan's goal line. The shot hit someone and the ball rolled into the net horribly slowly. Lukač desperately tried to catch it, but he couldn’t. For our luck the assistant was waving offside way before the ball crossed the goal line, the referee annulled the score.

Match action: Danilo Pantić with the ball

Besiktas made another dangerous pass into the middle in the 29th minute. Again for our luck, Töre was fumbling too much and the ball rolled out of the playing area. A minute later Sahan made a kick, but it was too high. The home team was attacking continuously, another pass arrived from the left in the 33rd minute, but the ball dropped to the other side of the penalty area. Töre tried again in the 37th minute with a distant, weak, imprecise shot.

Don't take me wrong, I don't mind, on the contrary, I'm very glad Töre made such imprecise shots to Partizan's goal. May God keep this nice habit of his.

Volkov needed medical attendance in the 41st minute, the audience shouted "ollé" every time the home team touched the ball. There was some dangerous upheaval in the very last minutes, Lukač caught a distant shot before it would have reached Ba, then the referee made an end to this terribly monotonous first half.
Nor did the second bring any spectacular football. In the 48th minute again an upheaval grew in fronto of Partizan's goal line, thankfully defenders cleared the area.
Two minutes later Grbić had a chance

that was Partizan’s first real chance

he got the ball from the left, but missed it. Another two minutes later Partizan again made some uncomfortable moments inside Besiktas's penalty area. A shot arrived from the right side, but the ball reached the sky instead of the net.
In the 56th minute Besiktas got a penalty kick. Stanković was wrestling with a Turkish player inside Partizan’s penalty area, when the opponent fell on the ground and the referee immediately whistled penalty. Demba Ba stood behind the ball. He ran up, suddenly made a movement as if he wanted to stop, then made a full swing and shot the ball into the right lower corner of the net next to Lukač falling left. 1:0
Two minutes later Karlak wanted to see his name on the goal scoarers’ list, but he kicked the ball right into Lukač’s lap.

Approx. 300 Partizan-fans cheered for the team in Istanbul

Partizan got a free kick in the 59th minute, about 20 metres from Besiktas’s goal line. The shot hit the defense line, the home team immediately turned it into a counter-attack. It was such a counter-attack that Besiktas was leading with 2 goals in the 61st minute... Töre was rushing up in Partizan's half all alone, almost all defenders were left behind, only one of them was standing desperate somewhere at the penalty point. Töre passed it to Demba Ba, who easily scored. 2:0
The next 15 minutes was bothered only with a Partizan free kick, but even that was blocked by Besiktas-defenders. Then in the 77th minute Ninković was dribbling at the left side of the Turkish penalty area. He passed the ball to Saša Ilić, who gave it to the other Saša, namely Marković, who didn’t want to waste any chance. He made a powerful shot from about 18 metres.
And scored.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!!!! 2:1

Ninković dribbling

We got another free kick in the 88th minute. Drinčić shot it into the middle, Volkov rose up from the masses - and headed it too high.
The last minutes had some extra excitement left. We got another free kick in the 90+4th minute. The goalkeeper saved Drinčić’s bomb shot with a huge movement. The ball dropped to Lazović, he grabbed it, but made a too high shot.

Facts:

Location: Atatürk Stadium, Istanbul
Number of spectators: 12 000
Referee: Alexandru Tudor (assistants: Aurel Onita, Octavian Sovre - 4th assistant: Radu Ghinguleac - goal line assistants: Ovidiu Hategan, Pavel Balaj) - ROM

Besiktas: Gönen - Köybasi, Franco, Sivok, Ramon - Kavlak, Hutchinson - Töre (Uysal, 90.), Özyakup (Sosa, 70.), Sahan (Pektemek, 58.) - Ba
Head coach: Slaven Bilić

FK Partizan: Lukač - Stevanović, Ćirković, Stanković, Volkov - Marković, Drinčić - Grbić (A. Živković, 67.), Pantić (S. Ilić, 65.), Ninković - Škuletić (Lazović, 67.)
Head coach: Marko Nikolić

Goal scorers: Ba (57. - penalty, 62.), Marković (78.)
Yellow card: Kavlak (14.), Volkov (28.), Stanković (56.), Marković (78.), Stevanović (79.)

(photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

Coming up: TODAY!!! Volgograd - KK Partizan (Eurocup) and VK Partizan - Jadran ST (Triglav League) + tomorrow: Besiktas - FK Partizan (Europa League)

Today at 17:00 starts the basketball team against Russian team Volgograd.
- It will be a very tough match, we must do our best - said Milutinov.
Duško Vujošević explained in the meantime that the schedules of Adriatic League and Eurocup do not match each other and sometimes it means serious difficulties to balance the two.

I can totally relate to that.

Beside this the team's self-esteem and combative spirit reached a low level, due to all the losses in the past weeks. Plus Mačvan is still not healthy.
- We are in a very difficult situation, but I hope the saying "darkest before dawn" will be proven true - said the trainer.

At 20:00 the water polo team welcomes Jadran ST at the Banjica swimming pool. After the 5th round the team is 6th on the league table, while the opponent is the 7th.

The basketball team’s match will be broadcasted live today by ArenaSport 1. Around the water polo team there is big silence, if I get to know anything about a possible broadcast, I’ll update the post.

The football team departed to Istanbul today to take revenge on Besiktas for the defeat of last time. They clash tomorrow at 19:00.
- It is a great chance to match our strength against a serious opponent - said Marko Nikolić - In Belgrade we could see the dominance of Besiktas. Now we meet again and I hope we could gain some good experiences. This time we are the "underdog", yet I hope we will play a better game than last time.

The football match will be broadcasted live by RTS 2.

Until then, here is a video about the boys arriving at Nikola Tesla airport.

Video: fans after yesterday's Partizan - Besiktas match

No wonder you're fascinated, gentlemen.

FK Partizan - Besiktas 0:4 (UEFA Europa League group stage)

(photo: mozzartsport.com)

Yes.
Miladin Stevanović’s facial expression says more than every match review.
(And yes, the young right back debuted in the senior team last night.)
By the way, nobody was sure if the match could have been played yesterday. It was raining heavily in Belgrade, water covered the grass of Partizan Stadion. The match was about to start soon, and the staff was still cleaning the field from water. Finally, they brought the decision to play the match.

The boys are coming, usual scenes with "Say No To Racism"

In the beginning it was all great. Or even wonderful. In the very first minute Lazović almost said "hi, what’s up" to goalkeeper Zengin, he just shot the ball a bit too high.
The first approx. 10 minutes were spent with enormous pace, endurance and enthusiasm by Partizan. In the 3rd minute we got a free kick (before that Škuletić fell on the ground). Drinčić stood behind the ball, about 20 metres from the goal line, but the shot made a twist and flew out of the field above the goalpost.
They kept on running, dribbling, passing the ball to each other. Not much later Drinčić made a marvellous tackle, sliding in for the ball on the ground, somewhere near Partizan’s penalty area, then Ćirković blocked a Turkish player in the air.

Škuletić had an amazing solo, he ran up fast on Besiktas’s half, with only 1 (one) defender running desperately behind him, he was just tackled inside the opponent’s penalty area.

The 11th minute brought some slight view that seemed like Besiktas was trying, but at this point nobody suspected anything. Yet two minutes later Lukač had such a huge save that people from the other side of Voždovac ran there to gaze and worship. The ball dropped out, corner, Partizan-defenders headed it out and we were about to make a counter-attack when someone pushed Lazović to the ground. We got a free kick, but the pace was over.

Match action: Živković hops over Colombian defender Pedro Franco

In the 16th minute Lukač saved again great. At this point Partizan started to clog together a bit on their half. Turks were coming and coming, like back then in the battle of Kosovo...
...and 0:1.
Kavlak kicked a distant shot to Partizan’s goal. The ball dropped into the net as if it was a ripe pear.
What is more, two minutes later Besiktas built up another hair-raising attack. They missed, but only by unluck (it was their unluck, not ours). The Turkish player burst into Partizan’s penalty area, defenders watched him in shock, finally the ball was somehow pushed to corner.
Some time around the 20th minute Partizan could step over the half-line again. Until then they were stuck at their own half. We got a free kick in the 21st minute. Again Drinčić stood behind the ball, but the shot flew out of the field above the goalpost. A minute later Lazović was pushed to the ground somewhere around the half line, but nothing happened, the referee didn’t whistle...

For sure he was deaf. Or blind. Or both.

...naive Average Fan thought we might get a free kick at least, but no...

Match action: Stanković, faced by Tore

Then Partizan started a counter-attack, Živković got the ball, but Turks took it away from him. They were about to attack back, but Stanković made a great slip-in tackle this time.

The field is eligible for water polo match. One of Drinčić’s free kicks.

Around the 25th minute Partizan had some tryings. First Drinčić kicked the ball to Besiktas’s goal line, but the shot was too distant and weak. Two minutes later Škuletić shot, but the goalkeeper caught the ball. In the 28th minute Pantić had a big solo, he ran through Besiktas’s half and passed the ball to Volkov, but Turkish defenders blocked the action.

A few seconds later was this "heart attack and stroke"-alike Besiktas chance, when the fan is screaming "JESUSGOODLORDANDALLSAINTSINTHEHEAVENS", laying on the floor for long moments, gasping for breath, crawling the carpet. Tore grabbed the ball and made a huge shot, the ball hit the right goalpost’s bottom and dropped back on the field. It was so tough that Average Fan already saw the ball (with mind’s eye) in the net... But Lukač was shouting to the others, waving them to go up, while making a goal-kick.

Živković was knocked to the ground in the 31st minute, just a few metres from the Turkish penalty area. Free kick, Drinčić behind the ball, HUGE shot, the goalkeeper saved. Two minutes later Škuletić tried again, then in the 36th minute again he ran up with the ball and passed it to Živković with a very good movement. The midfielder shot - right into the goalkeeper.
Then again Partizan’s defense line got into the spotlight... Branko Ilić made a great block...

...yes, it was raining heavily for the whole time.

The referee wasn’t really in shape. In the 41st minute Škuletić was knocked out (it wasn’t the first time...) during a Partizan attack, but nothing happened, there were no consequences, on the contrary, Besiktas got a goal-kick. Then a few moments later Volkov just held the Turkish striker back and immediately got a yellow card.

Match action: Miladin Stevanović

 At the very last minute of the first half it was 0:2. Demba Ba got the ball at the left side of the penalty area and just dropped it into the ball near Lukač, who desperately ran out trying to block him.
It was high time for a pause...

In the half time Grupa JNA’s new CD was playing from the speakers. It made a fantastic atmosphere, people were dancing in the tribunes to the tunes of "Dobro pamtim sve". The music was turned off long ago, both teams were out in the field kicking the ball (sometimes each other, too), but the fans were still singing loud "Dobro pamtim sveeee, srečno bio jeeeee, ooooo, svud sam iš’o da bih njega bodrioooooooo".

Besiktas started the second half with an attack, but Lukač was also at his place. The referee kept up his "low-altitude flying"

to say the least

giving a free kick to Besiktas in the middle of a Partizan attack. But when Lazović was stopped with a bodycheck by a Turkish defender, he stayed silent (he was kind enough to whistle when the opponent almost sat on the Partizan-player’s head).

The 52nd minute brought the third Turkish goal.

...as well as the collapse of the stream. And mine, too. I think, I used some phrases of my mother tongue that were never ever used before. Maybe I should go to the Academy of Sciences, saying hey guys, what do you think, neology and stuff, there you are, we must keep up with the times and such things. Of course, at such moments nobody cares about the serious scientists of the Academy, Average Fan is desperately searching for a working stream while screaming and swearing.
And when Average Fan finds one, it's already 0.4.
Wreckage. Tears. (In secret.)

It was around the 57th minute when I could join back. Škuletić was just getting a pass, the striker ran up fast to the opponent’s goal line, then passed the ball with a marvellous oxford dribble - but nobody was there to get it, out of Turkish defenders. Three minutes later again he was about to attack, Živković passed him a ball with a great movement, just everyone’s favourite Montenegrin striker was checkmated by Turkish defenders.

The closeup clearly showed a very tired and distressed expression on Škuletić’s face.

The game become slower and fragmented. The Turkish team was totally satisfied with the result, as for Partizan, the players seemed to be winded. Yet Grave Diggers made a wonderful atmosphere. It felt so good listening to them, while the players were wrestling on the wet (water polo)field in the rain.
The 73rd minute brought a weak try by Besiktas. The ball was dropping here and there, finally Lukač caught it. A minute later the referee was sure Pantić played handball inside the opponent’s penalty area, but the slow motion replay didn’t made it certain (me neither). Another minute later, when Branko Ilić tackled the opponent, a yellow card was rubbed under his nose immediately. I swear I have no idea why. (It was followed by a free kick, Lukač punched it to corner.)
All that was left was a Turkish player playing the Dying Swan in the 82nd minute near Partizan’s penalty area. The referee was fascinated by this art performance and gave him a free kick. (Thankfully they missed it.) A minute later Ninković was tackled with a classic bodycheck, maybe the midfielder should transfer to Partizan's ice hockey team... No consequences again, but when Marković tackled and saved with a huge (and self-sacrificing) slip-in, the referee immediately whistled.
Nothing happened in the last few minutes. Grave Diggers chanting loud "Dobro pamtim sve" even after the final whistle.

Saša Ilić didn’t play

- The opponent was stronger than us - said Petar Škuletić after the match. - I don’t even remember when it was the last time the guest team was so dominant in our stadium.
Milan Lukač’s words were sobering.
- It is tough to say anything after such a loss. Thank you to all fans for coming to the match. Our reality is SuperLiga, we cannot reach any further. We must very quickly forget this match and focus on the upcoming against Jagodina.
- The opponent was much better - admitted Vojislav Stanković. - We tried to make their deficiences to our own benefit, but we failed. They deserved this victory. We got very stupid goals.
At the other side players were (understandably) happy with the result as well as fascinated by Partizan-fans.
- Partizan is a good team, unfortunately they are still very young and inexperienced - said Senegalese striker Demba Ba. - I’m happy for our win. The atmosphere was fantastic, Partizan has got amazing fans.
- We were talking about this in the locker-room - nodded Atiba Hutchinson. - Every team’s dream is to have such fans. These guys were singing and chanting for their players even after such a defeat.

Facts:

Location: Partizan Stadion
Number of spectators: 12 000
Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni (assistant: Riccardo di Fiore, Matteo Passeri - 4th assistant: Alessandro Giallatini - additional assistants: Marco Guida, Andrea Gervasoni) - ITA

FK Partizan: Lukač - Stevanović, Ćirković, Volkov - B. Ilić, Stanković - A. Živković (Grbić, 67.), Lazović (Ninković 61.), Drinčić (Marković, 61.), Pantić - Škuletić
Head coach: Marko Nikolić

Besiktas: Zengin - Uysal, Franco, Sivok, Ramon - Kavlak, Tore (Koyunlu, 64.), Ozyakup (Koybasi, 78.) - Hutchinson, Sahan, Ba (Tosun, 69.)
Head coach: Slaven Bilić

Goal scorers: Kavlak (18.), Ba (45.), Ozyakup (52.), Tore (54.)
Yellow cards: Sahan (14.), Ramon (31.), Volkov (42.), B. Ilić (75.)

(unmarked photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

TODAY!!! FK Partizan - Besiktas UEFA Europa League group stage

Today at 20:05 starts the match between Partizan and Besiktas at the group stage of Europa League. Marko Nikolić thinks this match may determine the future of the team in the League.
- Another strong team arrives at us, they would fit even for Champions League - the head coach explained. - We know how qualified our opponent is, but we will not give in easily. Whomever we must play against, we’ll give the maximum.
- We are in the middle of group stage matches, today’s clash can determine our further chances. We successfully achieved our primary goal, namely to get to the group stage. Right now we haven’t made any further plans... What I can still promise is that we will fight with 100 % of our capacity at every match. I hope, our fans will enjoy it.

By the way, there are still 10 000 tickets to sell for tonight’s match. So, if you happen to be goddamn lucky (i.e. you’re in Belgrade now), rise up your behind and go to the stadium tonight. No, I don’t care that it might be cold or rainy.

Bad news is that the season is probably ended for Vulićević. The ligaments in the defender’s knee are broken, he needs at least 6, but rather 9 months to recover. He had serious pain even at the eternal derby, from the very beginning.
How very great it is from this HERO. Others whine even at the smallest pain and rush to the doctor as an excuse to back out of work and responsibility. Yet Vulićević played the entire match (most probably with clenched teeth), then he was all surprised when doctors told him, this injury should make it difficult for him even to walk, not mentioning to run for 90 minutes. So now you stand up in attention and salute.

Branko Ilić will most probably substitute him on the left back. Though there are rumours that maybe young Miladin Stevanović could also debute in the senior team.
We’ll see.
Match will be broadcasted live by RTS 1.