KK Partizan - Zadar 87:76 (Adriatic League, Round 23)

Tonight my net connection followed the events of the game.
At the beginning it worked, but with lagging. In the second quarter it died, I missed out most of that part. Then in the half time it came back to life, sped up and for the rest of the game it was like as if I had the most brutal glass fibre cables with the broadest band internet connection. Absolutely no lagging, it was all smooth.
It was the same with Partizan. Things worked in the first quarter, but for the second - as reports say - Zadar took control in their hands and it looked very sad and bitter for Partizan. Then who knows what Aleksandar Džikić told them in the half time, or maybe they all chewed enriched uranium rods, because five roaring lions appeared on the court for the second half and they tore Croatians into small pieces.
At first we switched the standing from 0:3 to 4:3, meanwhile Cvetković collected two personal fouls within one and a half minutes.

Referees heavily disliked Cvetković tonight. Not just him, but Partizan overall.

Zadar took back the lead (4:6), Murić equalized from free throw (6:6), and what came then...
Dear passengers, please, fasten your seatbelts, Murić Airlines’s flight to Belgrade departs right now.

We jumped to 16:6 (!!!) with the baskets of Cvetković, Jones and Murić. After a while we were leading to 20:9, but Zadar reduced it to 23:15.

At this point the stream was already lagging heavily.

Murić set back the 10-point difference (25:15), but Zadar could gain 3 more points from field goal and free throw. We finished the first quarter with 25:18.

(photo: aba-liga.com)

Nobody suspected anything even in the beginning of the second quarter. We were leading to 30:22, then Croatians started to throw baskets, one after the other and reduced the difference to 33:30.

At this point the stream died and I found no other working one. Nerve-racking minutes passed with pitch-black screen.

Upon match reports Zadar scored a lot of 3-pointers. First they equalized, then they took back the lead. When once the stream worked for a short while, the standing was 41:43, right after Cvetković’s basket. There was barely one minute left from the first half, Murić presented a very brave blocking, but Zadar still scored just before the end buzz, making the first half’s result to 41:45.

(photo: srbijadanas.com)

In the half-time something interesting happened. At Partizan’s matches children are allowed in the half-time pause to run and play on the court, but this time it was all silent and empty. As it turned out, a mysterious, bald man wearing all black was walking around the court, forbidding children to enter.

It was him

(photo: Twitter)

But a little girl managed to sneak on the court behind the black security guard’s back.

(photo: Twitter)

People greeted the little one with applause and ovation, while she was happly waving to the crowd.

(photo: Twitter)

Then came the second half. At first it was only struggle. Zadar made it to 41:49 and referees were against us, too. Zadar’s players fought hard in every possible and impossible way to keep us away from their paint, and the referees, well, they either whistled it off or not, according to their momentary mood.
Then something happened. Maybe the enriched uranium started to work, who knows. First Marinković scored from free throw (43:49), then Murić (45:49), also Jones (47:49). The Croatian coach asked for time-out, but when we returned to the court, Cvetković stole the ball, ran up and equalized with a fantastic goal. (49:49)

(photo: aba-liga.com)

He even took back the lead for us from free throw (51:49). Zadar equalized (51:51), but Murić came, saw and scored a great 3-pointer (54:51). Cvetković followed his example (57:51).
Referees entered.
They quickly gave a technical foul to Đumić (was it really Đumić, I’m not sure if I saw it well), while Cvetković got his 4th personal foul. But even that couldn’t stop us. We jumped to 60:52 (meanwhile someone from Partizan got another technical foul...). At 62:53 referees gave a gift free throw to Zadar (62:56), Đumić scored, finally we ended the third part of the game with 64:58.
The last quarter started with Milutinović’s amazing basket (66:58). He jumped after a rebounding ball and scored while falling.

(photo: Twitter)

We kept Zadar under harder and harder pressure and reached the 10-point difference (70:60) with Vrabac’s basket.

(photo: aba-liga.com)

Zadar’s coach asked for time-out, but even that didn’t help. Williams scored twice (74:62), Zadar fought with tooth and nail - and with legs. (Once there was an actual football match inside Partizan’s paint, referees didn’t whistle.) They could reduce it to 74:66. Williams set back the 10-point difference (76:66), Wilson scored a 3-pointer (79:66), so did Cvetković (82:66). Zadar threw a 3-pointer, too, just like Murić (85:69). And even that didn’t matter that Cvetković was fouled out 77 seconds before the end, and Zadar got a gift free throw (85:71). Murić added two points from free throw (87:71), Zadar desperately fought and finally managed to earn 5 more points, but the imposing difference was still there (87:76).
Time to celebrate, time to shake hands with fans.

(photo: aba-liga.com)

(photos: Twitter)

Highlights:

KK Partizan: Cvetković (15), Aranitović, Jones (17), Murić (20), V. Marinković (4), Vitkovac, Đumić (8), Magdevski, Milutinović (8), Williams (6), Vrabac (4), Wilson (5)

Zadar: Bašić (5), Cosey (19), Kraljević (6), Šango, Delaš (8), Špaleta, M. Ramljak (9), Bošnjak (7), I. Marinković (7), Barać (15), I. Ramljak

League table will be brought later.
Update: current standing of the League
1. Budućnost 44 points
2. CZ 40 points
3. Cedevita 40 points
4. Mega Leks 39 points
5. Cibona 33 points
6. Partizan 33 points
7. Zadar 33 points
8. MZT Skopje 32 points
9. Union Olimpija 32 points
10. Igokea 32 points
11. Krka 32 points
12. Metalac 32 points
13. Sutjeska 31 points
14. Tajfun Šentjur 30 points

KK Partizan - Union Olimpija 76:74 (Adriatic League, Round 13)

The next was the basketball team in the long row of yesterday’s matches.

Warming up

(photos: Twitter)

Dino Murić (Edo’s brother, Union Olimpija’s player) was watching from the stands

(photo: Twitter)

The game started with Wilson’s mistake, guests took advantage of it and scored (0:4). Vitkovac equalized (4:4), so did Jones later (6:6). We even took the lead with Wilson’s free throw (8:6). Slovenians took it back (12:13), but we could turn back the standing to our side twice with Milutinović’s baskets. The quarter ended with 17:15.
The second quarter started with Vitkovac.

Even three opponent players couldn’t stop him

(photo: hotsport.rs)

Partizan’s power forward scored twice, Aranitović followed his example (23:18). Olimpija asked for timeout, as a result they reduced their difference to 23:22. We answered with a 6-point series (29:22). Then Wilson scored again (31:23).

In the beginning of this week there have been rumours about Wilson and his weakening position in the team. News even talked about the possibility of a termination of his contract. Petar Božić said, Wilson’s fate would be decided in the upcoming games. After this the American pushed as hard as he could on this match - if I wanted to be ironic, I’d say he was playing this time just as he always should. (Yet the MVP of the game was not him.)

(photo: hotsport.rs)

We kept our solid advantage (sometimes almost 9 points) for the rest of the second quarter with the baskets of Wilson, Vrabac and Marinković. We finished the first half with 39:32.

Children playing on the court in half-time

(photo: Twitter)

Our advantage grew into two-digit in the third quarter (44:34). Union reduced it to 44:39. At this point Đumić scored, then Slovenians sped up and took back the lead (46:47). Wilson took it back again (48:47). Guests threw a 3-pointer, Wilson equalized (50:50). Jones made a 4-point series (54:52) and then came the Vitkovac-Aranitović-Milutinović axis.

We finished the quarter with 56:54.

MVP

(photo: hotsport.rs)

The beginning of the final quarter was about Petar Aranitović. We increased our difference to 61:57 with his scores.

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

The problem was that at 63:61 Union took the lead with a 3-pointer (63:64). Never mind, Aranitović took it back again (65:64). In the meantime Vitkovac was fouled out, the standing was switching in every second. Then at 68:69 Đumić made the world’s biggest dunk. (70:69)

(photo: hotsport.rs)

Olimpija equalized again (72:72), there were only 53 seconds left.
Wilson. 74:72
Free throw for Olimpija. 74:74. Only 23 seconds left.

Defibrillator, sedative shot, rope with slipknot, coffin.

Wilson again. 76:74. 4 seconds left.
Time-out.
Olimpija desperately attacks. Everyone was watching the clock...
...end buzz. We won!!!

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

You can even watch the last nerve-racking seconds.

Highlights:

KK Partizan: Aranitović (7), Jones (10), Marinković (3), Vitkovac (13), Đumić (6), Perović, Magdevski, Milutinović (9), Glišić, Vrabac (5), Wilson (21), Anđušić (2)

Union Olimpija: Wright (5), Rupnik (2), Hrovat (6), Mesiček (12), Vučetić (1), Lapornik (11), Lešić (8), Zagorac (16), Mahkovic (6), Zakis (7), Čančar

League table will be brought later.

KK Partizan - Sutjeska 75:67 (Adriatic League, Round 5)

It was an easy win.
Well, in the beginning it didn’t look that easy. At 3:3 Sutjeska sped up and took the lead (3:5) and they kept it until 9:11.

Meanwhile ArenaSport’s broadcast died a few times, so did I, a bit.

Then we equalized with Cvetković’s throw. He threw another basket and took us the lead (13:11). Sutjeska equalized from free throw (13:13), Perović took back the lead (15:13). We ensured our position with Vitkovac’s 3-pointer (18:13), but it didn’t last long. Sutjeska equalized, what is more, they took back the lead for the end of the first half (18:20).
At the beginning of the second part we equalized with Perović’s basket (20:20). Sutjeska didn’t let it at that (20:22).
Then came Petar Aranitović.

(photo: abaliga.com)

Aranitović again came, saw and within 2 bats of the eye it was 28:22 instead of 20:22. It was amazing what this kid was doing. If he continues it like this, he can be the new Bogdan Bogdanović. At 28:24 he threw another 3-pointer.

(photo: mozzartsport.com)

At 32:25 Cvetković performed an amazing steal, then he ran up and passed the ball to Vitkovac. Vitkovac just had to make a flick to push the ball into the basket, and he even got a bonus shot after this. The standing was 35:25, we were leading with 10 points.

Beside Aranitović it was Cvetković, who was the heart and soul of Partizan tonight. While Aranitović threw 3-pointers with an easy, elegant style, Cvetković was burning on a hundred million degrees, ploughed up the court, bit himself onto the neck of the opponent, stole the ball, ran, passed and threw baskets, one after the other.

(photo: abaliga.com)

At 35:27 Vitkovac brought back our 10-point advantage. At 37:29 it was made by Cvetković, at 39:30 by Koprivica, what is more, at his action our advantage was 10+ points (41:30). We finished the first half with 43:32, having a 11-point advantage.
In the third quarter Đumić dunked (45:32), then came a long silence, when none of the teams could score. It was again Đumić, who broke it (47:32).

(photo: abaliga.com)

Sutjeska asked for time-out, then reduced the difference (47:34).

This was the first and only basket during the game by former Partizan-player Đoko Šalić. You damn kid, you must return to Partizan, or else...

Finally they reduced the difference to 9 points (47:38). Here Perović brought back World Peace (49:38). Marinković helped him (51:38).

(photo: abaliga.com)

The standing was 51:42, we missed out numerous attempts, but Sutjeska couldn’t turn our mistakes to their advantage, and as an extra, their trainer got a technical foul. Marinković suddenly threw a 3-pointer (54:42), and at this point Sutjeska’s only goal seemed to be trying to keep the difference under 10 points. They could make it more or less, we finished the quarter with 56:49.
They opened the final part (56:51), Vitkovac answered with a 3-pointer (59:51), Milutinović settled back the 10-point difference (61:51).

(photo: abaliga.com)

Sutjeska tried to reduce it, they made it to 62:54, but at this point Cvetković was like an enriched atomic pile. He threw a 3-pointer (65:54), Sutjeska could score only from free throw. They could still reduce the difference to 8 points (65:57). Perović scored, again 10 point was the difference (67:57), Sutjeska reduced it again (67:59). Cvetković threw another 3-pointer (70:57). Here Sutjeska’s trainer asked for time-out and he scolded his players in a rather violent style, not really caring about the live broadcast... Finally they reduced the difference to 70:63, but Cvetković was unstoppable, he threw 5 points (75:63). Sutjeska threw two more baskets before the end buzz, this way they were defeated "only" with 8 points.

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

(photo: abaliga.com)

(photo: mozzartsport.com)

Local reports talk about Cvetković being celebrated by fans for long after the game, he had to be literally pulled back to the locker-room.

Highlights:

KK Partizan: Cvetković (21), Aranitović (13), Marinković (8), Petrov, Vitkovac (13), Đumić (4), Koprivica (3), Perović (8), Magdevski, Glišić, Vrabac, Milutinović (3)

Sutjeska: Pavličević (15), Đurović, Kruščić (11), Ćalasan (6), Mugoša, Albijanić (16), Spasojević (8), Čvorović, Žižić (2), Pavić (3), Vranješ (4), Šalić (2)

Current standing of the League:
1. CZ 9 points
2. Budućnost 9 points
3. Cedevita 9 points
4. Union Olimpija 8 points
5. Igokea 8 points
6. Mega Leks 8 points
7. MZT Skopje 7 points
8. Sutjeska 7 points
9. Partizan 7 points
10. Metalac 7 points
11. Tajfun Šentjur 7 points
12. Krka 7 points
13. Cibona 6 points
14. Zadar 6 points

Igokea - KK Partizan 71:64 (Adriatic League, Round 4)

We screwed up this match. We lost it by ourselves. Though we played like in a dream.
Sure, you can come up with the very bad joke that it was like in a bad dream. We were really very good, we were on the lead with 6-10 points, then something went wrong.
The first quarter started slowly, but then we were leading to 5:6. Igokea switched the standing (9:7), then it was 11:10 with Cvetković’s 3-pointer.
Then came Aranitović with an amazing 3-pointer. 11:13, there came the buzz, we were leading in the beginning of the first quarter.

(photo: abaliga.com)

In the second quarter we walked out to the court and the standing became immediately 11:15. Then 13:16. Then again Aranitović came, saw and scored (13:19). Milutinović followed his example (13:22). Igokea’s players watched it with a sad face, their coach asked for time-out. He could shake up his team (20:22), but Aranitović stopped them (20:25).

It was amazing what this young man was doing during the match. He was a 3-pointer machine. He was the best player of the match with his 24 points.

You know what to do. Stand up and salute

(photo: Google)

Đumić scored, too (20:27). Cvetković brought a 3-pointer (22:30). Then again Aranitović (24:33), then Magdevski scored and the difference was two digit (26:36). Igokea reduced it to 30:36, Milutinović increased it to 30:38 from free throw. Right before the end of the first half Igokea scored, the half-time result was 32:38.

(photo: abaliga.com)

In the third quarter Aranitović walked out, looked around and scored a 3-pointer (32:41). Đumić was also around there, he threw it in (34:43). Then came a period when both teams could score almost only from free throws.

(photo: abaliga.com)

Igokea started it (36:43), Koprivica went on (36:45). Igokea scored a 3-pointer (39:45), Aranitović made another free throw (39:47). Igokea made a 5-point series here (even though Petar Božić asked for time-out in the meantime.) At 44:47 Marinković brought one point from free throw (44:48). Then, when the referees gave us another free throw, something broke in Igokea’s trainer and he started to yell with the referees. As a result, he got a double technical foul.
But before Željko Lukajić left the arena to stand into the entrance of the tunnel and sulk, he yelled off the referees one more time. Finally Kosta Perović could make the free throw. 46:49. Marinković also got the chance, as two technical fouls mean double amount of free throws (46:50).
Then nobody knows what happened.
Igokea scored (48:50). Then they threw a 3-pointer taking the lead (51:50). Petar Božić immediately asked for time-out, but it didn’t help. We finished the third quarter with 53:50.
At the beginning of the last part it was 55:50. Aranitović scored (while falling), 55:52, then Cvetković made it to 55:54.

(photo: abaliga.com)

Igokea increased the difference quickly to 59:54. Aranitović scored a 3-pointer, at least from 10 metres (59:57). Igokea made it to 63:57. Vitkovac and Cvetković brought a few points from free throw (66:60). We couldn’t really break the dominance of the home team (68:60). Marinković scored from free throw (68:63), Igokea scored another 3-pointer (71:62). At the end Đumić threw a basket, that’s how we ended it with 71:64. Well, -7 still looks less terrible than -9, isn’t it?

Highlights:

Igokea: Pašaljić (3), Dimić (8), Ćapin (11), Pešaković (2), Kesar (3), Komatina (10), Mikulić, Milošević (4), Radenović (12), Radivojević (12), Talić, Todorović (6)

KK Partizan: Cvetković (10), Aranitović (24), Marinković (5), Petrov, Vitkovac (2), Đumić (11), Koprivica (2), Perović (1), Magdevski (4), Glišić, Vrabac, Milutinović (5)

Current standing of the League:
1. CZ 8 pont
2. Budućnost 7 pont
3. Cedevita 7 pont
4. Igokea 7 pont
5. Union Olimpija 6 pont
6. Mega Leks 6 pont
7. Sutjeska 6 pont
8. Krka 6 pont
9. Tajfun Šentjur 6 pont
10. MZT Skopje 5 pont
11. Partizan 5 pont
12. Cibona 5 pont
13. Zadar 5 pont
14. Metalac 5 pont

Mega Leks - KK Partizan 76:59 (Adriatic League, Round 2)

After yesterday's tense game today we presented how not to play basketball.
We had no lack of fighting spirit or "I wanna win"-mentality, don't take me wrong. We just make a big heap of mistakes.

And my net was on the verge of death in the entire first half.

After two minutes Mega Leks was leading to 9:0. Petar Božić quickly asked for time-out. After that Đumić scored (9:2), but Mega Leks successfully practiced the foul court press tactics (14:2). Our attacks were unsuccessful, and our defense was like a passage-way this time (16:2). Finally, step by step, with the baskets fo Magdevski and Marinković as well as Vrabac’s free throw we reduced the difference to 18:11 for the end of the first quarter.

The duo of Koprivica and Vitkovac

In the second quarter we equalized (18:18), then as much as the always lagging scream allowed me to see it, Mega Leks sped up (29:21) and kept their pace.

Magdevski trying to hold Jaramaz back, with not much success

At the end, at 36:30 Cvetković scored a 3-pointer, right before the buzz. The half-time result was 36:33.
In the third quarter we made it to 38:35. Mega Leks continued their foul court press tricks, with lots of steals and turnovers. The difference grew soon to 9 points (46:37). Marinković and Cvetković together reduced it to 46:42.

Marinković vs. Mega Leks’s French player Luwawu

At 49:42 Vrabac scored with a hook (49:44). Mega Leks again sped up (53:45), at the end again Cvetković scored a 3-pointer (53:48).

Đumić and Milutinović

At the beginning of the last quarter we equalized again (53:53).

That was all we could do, to equalize sometimes. We couldn’t take the lead once. We made a lot of mistakes missing out a huge number of chances. Mega Leks just had to take advantage of our missed attempts.

The home team quickly started to score, they didn’t stop until 65:53. Meanwhile the referees gave technical foul to Cvetković (later he was fouled out), then Vrabac reduced the difference to 10 points (66:56).

Vrabac and Luwawu. The Frenchman scored the most points during the game

After Magdevski’s free throw it has reduced to one digit (66:57), but we couldn’t be happy with it for too long (72:57). Đumić scored one basket (72:59), but Mega Leks could still throw 2 more (76:59).

Mega Leks: Simić, A. Aranitović (7), Đoković (2), Jaramaz (13), Veljković (1), Musić, Samardžiski (12), Pavlović, Luwawu (27), Simeunović, Nikolić (6), Janković (8)

KK Partizan: Cvetković (9), P. Aranitović, Marinković (13), Petrov, Vitkovac (4), Đumić (6), Koprivica, Perović (7), Magdevski (3), Glišić, Vrabac (13), Milutinović (4)

Complete league table will be brought to you tomorrow.

Update: current standing of the League:
1. CZ 4 points
2. Cedevita 4 points
3. MZT Skopje 3 points
4. Mega Leks 3 points
5. Union Olimpija 3 points
6. Tajfun Šentjur 3 points
7. Zadar 3 points
8. Igokea 3 points
9. Budućnost 3 points
10. Krka 3 points
11. Cibona 3 points
12. Metalac 3 points
13. Sutjeska 2 points
14. Partizan 2 points

(photos: abaliga.com)

KK Partizan - FMP 81:67 (SuperLiga Serbia play-off, Round 10)

It was actually smooth. In the very beginning FMP tried to insist they were better, until approx. 0:4, then Andrić and Murić re-established the situation (7:7). There was about 4 minutes left from the first half, until then the two teams performed a more or less equal battle. Then Andrić increased our difference to 15:11. FMP tried to keep the pace, but we were always ahead of them with 1-2-3 points. Finally Milosavljević and Milutinov increased our difference more (20:14), and Murić scored a 3-pointer right before the buzz. The result of the first part was 23:14.

Match action

The second part was even smoother. We quickly improved to a 10-point difference (26:16)

I bet Pavlović again chewed an uranium rod before entering the court

and we still kept on scoring. Marinković (28:18), Đumić (32:20), there was even enough energy for Pavlović and Mačvan to make a fantastic teamwork (34:20). From the opponent only Čović was active, but one swallow will not make a summer... Still the small, bald guy of FMP reduced the difference to 34:26.

Time-out some time during the match

Pavlović increased the difference back to 10 points with a hook (36:26). Čović might have got upset on this, because he alone scored 6 points (38:34). Đumić took control of things, either by making a giant block or scoring (40:34). The half-time result was 42:38 and it was clear that only Čović might cause us a light headache from FMP, otherwise this task will not cause problems.

Miša Tumbas arrives to support the boys

Dallo started the third quarter with a 3-pointer (45:28), Milutinov increased us back to 10 points with a 5-point series (50:40). There was a great battle on the court, finally the referee decided to solve the situation by giving a technical foul to Milosavljević. For some unknown reason it gave an extra speed to FMP, they reduced the difference to 50:47. Milutinov and Tepić scored, it was 54:47 then, but the small, bald Čović refused to resign himself to the inevitable (54:50).

What the hell, did this guy eat an entire nuclear plant?...

Marinković scored a 3-pointer (57:50), but FMP chose new tactics, namely to steal the ball. Their tallest player just reached out with his XL-sized arm and the ball was theirs (57:54). As for us, we sent Marinković to the battle (59:54), while Murić was so full of energy he even made an alley-oop trick (61:54). Milutinov washed up the floor of Pionir Hall with FMP (63:54 + a HUGE block), finally Milosavljević’s score ended the quarter (65:56).

Milutinov deserved a high-five

The last part started with Marinković’s unbelievable, fantastic block. An FMP-player again reached out and stole the ball, but Marinković ran after him and with a jump he stopped the opponent. Andrić settled back World Peace and the 10-point difference (67:57).

Partizan-bench: Milosavljević, Murć and Glišić

From this point on it was a clear triump. We exceeded the 10-point-difference (75:60) after Milutinov and Murić took control in their hands. No matter how much FMP tried with 3-pointers, they couldn’t take this victory away from us.

As soon as there are any video highlights, I’ll update the post.

Well-earned celebration

Current play-off standings:
1. CZ 20 points
2. Partizan 19 points
3. Metalac 16 points
4. Mega Leks 14 points
5. Vojvodina 14 points
6. FMP 13 points
7. Konstantin 13 points
8. Tamiš 11 points

(Photos: Twitter)

KK Partizan - Konstantin 89:80 (Serbian SuperLiga play-off, Round 8)

It all looked to be smooth in the beginning. An easy, training match-alike event with a victory, of course. Something we need after the eternal derby, where our self-esteem was roughed up.
In the first quarter our biggest problem was whether Bezbradica could score 10 points right in the beginning of the game or we should wait until the second part. We were leading to 25:14 and we kept it up in the next quarter as well. The difference was almost always above 10 points and there was one - very pleasant - part of the game when Average Fan could hardly follow counting the quick baskets one after the other. The pace was easy and light, just what one needs on an early summer Tuesday afternoon. Murić was excellent, Đumić pushed the ball to the ring like a dependable worker, and after all these the result was 52:39 in the half-time. Average Fan went to the kitchen for a mug of coffee and watched peacefully as children were playing on the court in the half-time pause.
I’ll be honest: all my respect goes to Konstantin that they didn’t collapse despite Partizan's domination and having all odds against themselves. They were brave, they fought and they were not willing to give up. They reduced the difference to 57:52. At this point we also had to speed up from our cozy pace. Murić and Marinković settled back the 10-point difference after a series of 3-pointes (67:57), but Konstantin kept on fighting (69:60). Finally we ended the third part to 74:62, but the last quarter was still left.
It began with 74:69 and we couldn’t really settle back to the 10-point difference anymore. Konstantin’s players scored a lot of 3-pointers, surprisingly quickly and precisely. They reduced the difference to 79:75. Tepić quickly threw two baskets (83:75), but the guest team was again panting right into our ears from behind (83:79). Then Bezbradica took the team on his back, that Bezbradica, who played extraordinarily for the whole game. He was joined by Marinković and the two together with Milutinov successfully made it to 89:79 for the end. Still we couldn’t finish it with a two-digit difference, because Konstantin got a free throw at the very end and they could score one. (89:80)

(photo: zurnal.rs)

Here, at the end of the post Partizan’s former football player, Predrag Mijatović asks for your attention. He joined Aleksandar Mitrović’s "Save KK Partizan"-campaign.

Fans can also join by clicking this link. Up to now more than 4 million dinars were collected for the basketball team.

KK Partizan - KK Zadar 87:53 (Adriatic League)

Approx. 90 minutes before the start Mačvan appeared on the court and started to warm up.

(photo: Twitter)

He was followed by the others.

(photo: Twitter) 

The audience was gathering, too.

(photo: Twitter)

The match started with a minute-long silence for the memory of the victims of the helicopter tragedy on Saturday.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

Then the two teams clashed. Within a short time we took the lead to 10:4. New boy Akognon quickly made himself to the scorers’ list with a fantastic 3-pointer.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

Yet the guests equalized for the second half of the quarter (15:15). We missed out a horror amount of chances and Zadar took advantage of them, as much that they switched the standing on their side. We finished the quarter with 15:20, the defense of the guests was made from concrete. Sometimes one could have the impression their entire bench was jostling under the backboard. We even made that mistake that we fumbled too long and ran out of time. Our player was standing in the paint with a desperate face and the buzz was ringing.

Time-out

(photo: Twitter)

The start of the second quarter was not delightful either. Right as we ran out to the court, the ball was stolen from Milutinov (15:22). At 17:24 Kraljević blocked Marinković so heavily that Partizan’s young player could only gasp for breath.

Duško Vujošević sitting next to the judges’ table

(photo: Twitter)

There was a great fight on the court, literally. Both sides used their strongest defense, there was always at least three, four, sometimes even five players waiting for the attacker under the backboard. Despite all these forces we reduced the difference to 25:26, thanks to Murić’s giant 3-pointer among others.
And then came Josh Akognon.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

At 25:26 Akognon scored such a huge 3-pointer that the plaster on Pionir Hall’s walls started to fall down (28:26). The hall exploded, it made Mačvan speed up, increasing the difference with great teamwork (32:26). Dallo didn’t want to be missed out either (34:26). Murić’s score closed the first half (36:28).

Gregor Balažic was watching the game with his wife

(photo: hotsport.rs) 

In the half-time a lot of children were playing on the court

(photos: Twitter)

The third quarter was opened by Akognon (39:28) and continued by Murić, who got a rebound and mercilessly took advantage of it (41:28).

(photo: hotsport.rs)

And then came Milosavljević.
Captain Dragan Milosavljević.
He came, he saw and he dunked.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

After Milosavljević’s great dunk the entire bench jumped up and ran on the court to celebrate. On this photo Đumić greets the Captain.

(photo: Twitter)

From this point on there was no stop. Zadar was trying though (43:30), even from free throw (45:32), but Partizan rushed over them, like a lunatic steam roller. Akognon had a great score, assisted by Mačvan (47:32), then he ran up on the court, passed to Milutinov, who gave it to Mačvan. Mačvan scored a giant 3-pointer (50:34).

It can’t be any better

(photo: hotsport.rs)

High five to Akognon after a great action

(photo: Twitter)

Marinković is watching

(photo: Twitter)

And so on. Milosavljević scored from Mačvan’s rebound (52:39), then the Captain passed the ball to Milutinov with a brilliant movement, passing behind his back. (55:39) Dallo put the dot to the letter i at the end of the quarter (59:39). With his score the difference was 20 points.

The whole bench jumped up and screamed after Dallo’s score

(photo: Twitter)

The end was a festival.
3-pointer king Andrić said hi (62:39), followed by Marinković’s score (64:39), then came Dallo with bonus shot (67:39). Zadar collapsed. Nothing worked for them, all their tryings got rebound from the ring.

Brothers: Dallo and Akognon

Tepić was playing with this waistband

(photos: Twitter)

For the end Đumić sped up and brought scores.

(photo: hotsport.rs)

The difference grew to 30 points (72:41). Zadar could score from free throws (72:43), then it was Marinković-time (83:48). The only question left was if we can make the 40-point difference. We couldn’t, though the guest team fell to atoms for the end. They could score only from free throws, all their attempts for action goal were missed out.

At the end I felt for them, really.

Đumić scored the last basket of the game (87:53). Zadar could make a dunk at the very end, right at the buzz, but the judges invalidated it.

I didn’t get it. That one basket wouldn’t have made any difference for the final result. Even the guest team could have had their peace that they could still score a dunk at the end, to prove themselves and their glory. Whom would it have made pain to?...

It was time to celebrate.

(photo: Twitter) 

(photo: hotsport.rs) 

Akognon was surrounded by fans. He was the favourite, everyone wanted a photo with him and he eagerly smiled to everyone.

(photo: Twitter) 

(photo: hotsport.rs) 

In the middle of the crowd there is somewhere Akognon there. Every fan wanted him.

(photo: Twitter)

Akognon was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of fans.

Post by Josh Akognon.

Highlights:

League standings after 25 rounds:
1. Crvena Zvezda 48 points
2. Budućnost Podgorica 43 points
3. Partizan 43 points
4. Cedevita 42 points
5. Union Olimpija 39 points
6. Metalac 38 points
7. Krka 37 points
8. Szolnoki Olaj 37 points
9. Zadar 36 points
10. Mega Leks 35 points
11. Igokea 34 points
12. Cibona 34 points
13. MZT Skopje 32 points
14. Levski Sofia 27 points