Krka - KK Partizan 70:75 (Adriatic League, Round 20)

Yesss! After 20 rounds we finally got our first away victory!!!

I’ll be honest: I missed out numerous moments from the first half. The truth is, I was watching the waterpolo game between Serbia and Slovakia parallel with this one on another stream, clicking here and there all the time. I did not regret it, the two water polo teams had an exciting game with a lot of battles. And Serbia won, qualifying themselves to the quarterifinal!

Meanwhile Cvetković took the whole team on his back, ploughed up the court and he was like an uncontrollable imperial star destroyer. (3:9) At 3:11 Krka picked themselves together a bit and equalized for the end of the first quarter (11:11).

Looking into my notes I see there was always a long idle time between scores. When Wilson scored the 11th point for Partizan, there were barely more than 3 minutes left. Krka scored mostly from free throw.

In the second quarter Cvetković continued what he started in the first one (11:16), but the home team was again way too close to us (17:18). But Cvetković was  unstoppable. We didn’t even reach the half-time, but he was already like a nuclear reactor soon before meltdown. (17:22) The newly signed Williams also had his moment (17:24), then again it was Cvele-time. (17:26)

Williams (no. 25) and Jones trying to stop Krka’s player, while Marinković is watching from the background

(photo: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Vitkovac and Jones scored, the difference was 10 points for us (20:30). The end of the first half was 27:36, after Krka’s 3-pointer Wilson threw one more.

Aleksandar Cvetković, hero of the day

(photo: aba-lilga.com)

For the third quarter Krka again tried to pick themselves together. First they equalized (37:37), then they took the lead (39:37). Jones equalized from free throw (39:39). What is more, Cvetković had an amazing moment, flashing across the court among the shocked Slovenian players. Then he passed the ball to Jones with an elegant switch, Jones just had to serve it right into the ring. 39:41, we took back the lead.
Yes, just Krka equalized again (41:41). What is more, the well-meaning uncle referee gave them an extra bonus shot. (42:41)

For the second half the Serbian stream collapsed. After a long and hysterical search I could find only a Croatian one. It worked well, in HD, with no lagging, but the Croatian commentator spoke in such a bored, monotonous tone that I almost fell asleep. He came back to his spirits only when Krka took the lead.

Jones again. We are leading again (42:43). Krka takes it back again (45:43). They even got a free throw (46:43). Vitkovac also got one (46:44), not much, but more than nothing. But Krka sped up. (48:44) So did Cvetković (48:47). Krka quickly scored a 3-pointer. (51:47)
Vrabac and Cvetković didn’t leave it at that. We equalized (51:51). Krka threw again a basket (53:51), Jones equalized (53:53). Again a score from Krka (55:53), now Williams answered (53:53). Buzz. Let’s get ready for the final quarter.

Edo Murić some time during the game

(photo: aba-liga.com)

In the beginning Krka scored again (57:55), we equalized again (57:57, Vitkovac). This was the point when Krka probably got fed up with the flow of events and threw two 3-pointers (63:57).

Oh, no. There goes again our victory. It’s just impossible. That’s it, folks, let’s close the shutters, goodbye, Adriatic League.

But the two Americans, Jones and Wilson pulled the team back from the edge of the abyss. They together made a fantastic series (of course Cvetković took part in it as well, with his assists), that we didn’t just equalize, but took back the lead (63:65).
We just forgot about the referees. Now they put themselves into action. Probably they got scared that Partizan might win the game. They quickly put a foul on Vitkovac. Krka equalized with the gift free throw (65:65). Vitkovac and Jones together made 3 points (65:68).
But Krka again equalized (68:68).
Then came Vitkovac.

Partizan’s entire bench was on their feet. There were only 48 seconds left. Jones missed out an attempt for 3-pointer. Krka ran up to our backboard, the entire Partizan blocks them, the referees whistle it off. Time-out. Only 23 seconds are left. One referee stares at the monitor where questionnable fouls can be checked by slow motion replay. Finally Krka gets only a throw-in instead of free throw. They miss out the chance, the ball flies out of the court near the backboard. What is more, referees whistle for offensive foul. Free throw for Partizan. The whole company walks up to the other paint. Jones gets the ball, he throws, he scores (68:73). Krka can throw in a basket, too (70:73). Only 8 seconds left. Referees again whistle a foul on Krka. Free throw for Partizan, now it’s Wilson’s turn. He does it. 70:75. There’s one more Krka-attack left, but the ball again flies out of the court near the backboard.
That’s the end.
We won.
We can celebrate.

(photos: aba-liga.com)

Highlights:

Krka: Rebec, Tratnik, Ivanov (11), Sinovec (11), Rojc (3), Lalić (11), Tomić, Kastrati (15), Dimec (3), Polutak, Ritlop (6), Lapornik (10)

KK Partizan: Cvetković (21), Aranitović, Jones (19), Murić, Marinković, Vitkovac (12), Đumić (1), Magdevski, Milutinović, Williams (4), Vrabac (4), Wilson (14)

League table will be brought tomorrow, I promise I won’t forget it this time.

Update: current standing of the League
1. Budućnost 40 points*
2. CZ 35 points
3. Cedevita 35 points
4. Mega Leks 33 points
5. Cibona 29 points
6. Zadar 29 points
7. Metalac 29 points*
8. MZT Skopje 28 points
9. Igokea 28 points
10. Partizan 28 points
11. Krka 28 points
12. Union Olimpija 27 points
13. Sutjeska 27 points
14. Tajfun Šentjur 27 points

Teams marked with * have played 21 games already.

All in one

In the past days I had no internet connection, so now you get all the events of the previous days in one.

In the 6th round of the handball superliga Partizan played eternal derby with Crvena Zvezda at the Banjica sports hall. It could have been a very tough clash, Zvezda was leading in the first time always with 1-2-3 goals, but then in the 14th minute we equalized with Radojković’s goal, then Đuričić shot and we took the lead for a short while. At the end of the first half the standing was 10:10, when Mršulja scored, probably right before the buzz, setting the half-time result to 11:10.
In the second half we kept on leading until the 40th minute, when Zvezda equalized, then they took back the lead. From then on we could only equalize here and there, even though we struggled  hard. The end result of the match was 20:22.

Nemanja "Parni valjak" Živković, one of the heros of the day with 5 goals

Mihajlo "Unbreakable" Radojković, the other hero of the day (5 goals)

Ivan Popović

(photos. srls.rs)

Current championship standings:

1. CZ 11 points

2. Sloga 9 points

3. Metaloplastika 9 points

4. Partizan 8 points

5. Rudar Kostolac 6 points

6. Požarevac 5 points

7. Jugović 5 points

8. Radnički 3 points

9. Morava 3 points

10. Železničar 1 point

***

The volleyball superliga started last weekend. Partizan visited Vojvodina in the first round. In the first game Partizan was leading to 11:16, but Vojvodina switched the standing and won it to 26:24. In the second set was more narrow, Partizan leading to 7:8 in the beginning, but later it was 16:13 and finally the Novi Sad team won again to 25:19. In the third part the home team was leading for the whole time, winning it to 25:21 as well as the match to 3:0. The hero of the day was Dimitrije Pantić with 12 points. No photos are available, because all sports sites are a bunch of fat monkeys not even just mentioning volleyball results.

Current championship standings:
1. Novi Pazar 3 points

2. Spartak Ljig 3 points

3. Vojvodina 3 points

4. Klek Srbijašume 2 points

5. Niš 2 points

6. Inđija 1 point

7. Radnički 1 point

8. Partizan 0 point

9. CZ 0 point

10. Ribnica 0 point

***

In the 7th round of Adriatic League Partizan clashed with Krka at home.
I don’t get into details, I guess everyone has seen the match together with the lousy, corrupted referees and that one, goddamn basket by the opponent, that was scored after the end buzz, and the referees still validated it.
But I brought you photos, right from Pionir Hall.
Yes. I was there.
Yes. Me.

Partizan's basketball players are professional, they always start with warming up

Victorious KK Partizan

Full of energy, enthusiasm...

...bravery...

...ready to clash with the opponent

Short discussion before the start

Fair-play handshakes

Time-out

Down there there are Edo Murić and Mihajlo Andrić watching the game (later they were joined by Kevin Jones)

Free throw by Danilo Anđušić

KK Partizan logo on the court

Children playing on the court in the half-time

Half-time result

Free throw, second half

Match action

(photos: JSD Partizan Fan Blog)

Current standing of the League: 

1. Budućnost 13 points

2. CZ 12 points

3. Mega Leks 12 points

4. Union Olimpija 11 points

5. Igokea 11 points

6. Cedevita 11 points

7. MZT Skopje 11 points

8. Zadar 10 points

9. Metalac 10 points

10. Krka 10 points

11. Partizan 9 points

12. Sutjeska 9 points

13. Cibona 9 points

14. Tajfun Šentjur 9 points

***

In the 15th round of Jelen SuperLiga Partizan met Mladost at an away match.
I won’t get into details now, okay?...
Everyone could see, it was a very bad, very muddy, cursed game, Mladost scoring right at the beginning (1:0). We equalized with Babović’s goal only in the 48th minute (1:1), then we picked ourselves together and took the lead with Grbić scoring in the 79th minute (2:1), but in the 88th minute Mladost scored a terrible goal, equalized and kept one point at home.

(photo: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

May I have a frank question?
Who is this Babović that he can always make it back to the starting eleven at every coach, and he is never ever substituted at any game, just doing some alibi hanging around on the field? How is it possible that so far nobody did (or nobody could) throw out this talentless, wooden-legged show-off from the team?

Current championship standings:

1. CZ 41 points

2. Borac 27 points

3. Partizan 25 points

4. Čukarički 25 points

5. Radnički Niš 25 points

6. Javor 24 points

7. Vojvodina 21 points

8. Novi Pazar 19 points

9. FK Voždovac 18 points

10. Mladost 17 points

11. OFK Beograd 15 points

12. Metalac 15 points

13. Surdulica 14 points

14. Rad 13 points

15. Jagodina 11 points

16. Spartak Zlatibor Voda 7 points

***

Some good news as well: Partizan’s rugby team WASHED OFF Crvena Zvezda in the Serbian Cup final with a shining victory of 21:13.

(photos: Facebook/Ragbi Klub Partizan)

A video about the ceremony:

KK Krka - KK Partizan 72:78 (Adriatic League)

It wasn’t a good match. It wasn’t an exciting match, nor was it a remarkable match.
But it was a winner match, so nobody cares about the possible weak points.
Krka started with a 3-pointer, but Mačvan and Tepić equalized with joint forces (3:3). Krka tried with another 3-pointer, our reply was Milutinov with a basket and a bonus throw (6:6). In the meantime there was some wrestling under Krka’s backboard, a few home players jumped on Mačvan’s back, they even took back the lead (8:6).
Then Gagi Kapiten decided that enough was enough and it was time to kickstart the Steam Roller.
He immediately equalized (8:8). Milutinov switched the standing to our side with Mačvan’s assist (8:10). Tonight was again Mačvan’s game, he was again like a fanatic setting an enormous pace, throwing numerous baskets, assisting, and if Tepić was around, too, they were simply unstoppable.
But he made an amazing axis with Milutinov as well.

At 11:15 Mačvan came again, this time with a 3-pointer (meanwhile the camera was focusing on Wangmen, the Camerooni player of Krka, who was walking off the ground with a deeply upset face). Then Milosavljević scored such a huge 3-pointer that the echo came from the Croatian border. The difference was 10 points (11:21). The end of the quarter was 17:21.
The second quarter was opened by Marinković (17:23), then Bezbradica got at least 3 Krka-players on himself who didn’t let him until they could not squeeze the ball out of his hands. (The referees didn’t mind it at all.) At 20:23 it was Mačvan again, making a 2+1 score (20:26). At 24:26 Tepić made a marvellous steal, but he was pushed to the ground under the backboard. After the free throw, at 26:27 Andrić scored. I would have sworn he was standing out of the 3-pointer line, but the standing on the scoreboard was 26:29. A few seconds later it showed 26:30, and when Average Fan sat back with a relieved sigh that maybe the eyesight is still working well, again 26:29 appeared on the board.

Congratulations to everyone.

Nevertheless Andrić and Tepić quickly put themselves into action, before Krka would have got too close to us (28:32). We made a 7-point series (28:36). Before the last score there was an upheaval. The Slovenian team attacked, but Partizan blocked the action. The home team protested heavily, saying that the ball was about to drop into the ring when we stopped them, but the referees didn’t listen, just waved "go ahead". Mačvan thanked and scored. At 29:36 Milosavljević made a great job with Dallo’s assist (29:38). The half-time result was 32:38.
After the pause Mačvan walked out from the locker-room and looked around (32:41), his example was followed by the captain (32:43). At 34:43 Milutinov set back the two-digit difference, even raised a bit by Mačvan (42:54).

Did I hear well that the small group of Grave Diggers being present at the match were chanting Milenko Tepić’s name?

At this point we took it a bit easily, so Krka made it to 50:56. Mačvan quickly took measures for us to be able to enter the final quarter with a 9-point difference (52:61).
In the last quarter Tepić ensured the two-digit difference (52:63). Krka tried with numerous 3-pointers, but they couldn’t get over us. We kept our 6-7-point difference, then World Peace was set back together with the two-digit difference.
Maki and Tepa.
The Awesome Axis.

Andrić also scored a 3-pointer, because it is always better to be safe than sorry (62:73). Krka was trying desperately (64:73, 67:73), there was even some wrestling at the end, but Tepić (69:75) and Milosavljević (72:78) showed the world who’s the king.

Suspension for Duško Vujošević, punishment for Partizan

The Disciplinary Commission of Adriatic League banned Duško Vujošević for one game for his technical fouls against Krka, while Partizan basketball team was punished for 2100 euros. From this amount the head coach’s fouls cost 600 euros altogether; the rate of Vujošević not leaving the play-field immediately is 1000 euros, and the fact he afterwards told the referees straight to go to hell costs 500 euros and one match missed.

Why do I have the impression that Adriatic League boss Josip Bilić and Serbian Basketball Association president Dragan Gogić are relatives?...

Update:
Full-length video about the match here.

Video: moments of yesterday's KK Partizan - Krka match

There's everything in it, glorious and controversial moments, heroes and cowards, fans and players.

KK Partizan NIS - KK Krka 64:68 (Adriatic League, Round 2)

Before I start to cry about the match, I'd like to present you the hero of the day.

Edo Murić was carrying the team on his back for the whole game. He scored 22 points, jumped to grab rebounds, blocked attacks and ploughed up the ground in general. So now you stand up and salute for him.

Warming up before match

(photo: Twitter)

Gagić grabbed the ball right after the start, but after several missed out chances Krka scored first. And even more. (0:4) After 3 minutes Murić scored Partizan’s first basket (2:4), we even equalized with Tepić’s help. But the opponent still got back their advantage. Partizan missed numerous chances, no matter what a great movement Milutinov made to catch a rebound. For the whole match the team seemed to be cursed, just nothing worked. Slovenians were leading 4:9 when Murić scored a 3-pointer - here I have to add, the fans were applausing loud on every of his movements. But Krka was unstoppable, it was 7:11, then 7:13 when Gagić made an alley-oop and it looked a bit better (9:13).
It seemed to gave some spirit to the team. Andrić scored from foul shot, Gagić added one more basket, then 9 seconds before the end Murić equalized (15:15). But it was too much for the referee, so he whistled a foul against Andrić. It was followed by a foul shot, Krka’s player scored, the quarter ended with 15:17.

The second part started with a row of fouls, one to here, one to there, one for Krka, one for Partizan, then another one for Krka, another for Partizan, then after 2 minutes the referees got fed up and Šalić was penalized with a foul. Šalić wasn’t the referees’ favourite tonight, he wasn’t much active tonight, but whenever he made any movement, a referee immediately whistled. To all these, Duško Vujošević got a technical foul after complaining for the free shot after Šalić’s foul.

It came to my mind, in the previous season Gagić was the favourite punchbag of the referees. It seems, this year this great, responsible and challenging position was bestowed upon Šalić.

Match action: Milenko Tepić

It was 15:18 when Tepić got a free shot after Krka’s foul (17:18). Then a big silence came, for about one and a half minutes. Both teams had many missed chances, and truthfully, the game looked awful as well. Nothing spectacular, no excitement or tricks, but a bunch of fouls, as well as a 3-pointer from Krka (17:21). Also, as an extra, a brilliant block by Bezbradica, so great that it made Pionir Hall explode.

Another row of missed chances from both teams... Then Murić scored from a foul shot, immediately followed by a 3-pointer (18:24). Milutinov made some progress in the result (20:24)...

...but even this didn’t help, because Krka scored another basket, right before the shot clock's signal.
Then Andrić and Milutinov both scored a 3-pointer, for Milutinov it was actually a 4-point play. The difference was just 1 point (28:29). What is more, 17 seconds before the end Andrić scored another 3-pointer and Partizan took the lead!! (31:29) It was again too much for the referees, because one (!!!) second before the buzz Krka got a foul shot after one of their players made a very scenic fall on the ground. The half time was 31:31.

In the 3rd quarter Partizan tried to keep their advantage. Gagić threw a 4-point play (34:31). It gave him the spirit, because he scored another basket (36:31), and Average Fan had a great smile on the face. And when Dallo changed it to 38:31, Average Fan laid back. Gagić scored from a foul shot (40:33), Murić also threw a basket and a 4-point play (45:36), the difference was almost a double digit. What else could a Partizan-fan ask for?

Match action: Edo Murić

Maybe to ask the referees to stop hating Šalić this much, that made Krka improve to 45:39.
Partizan still kept their advantage. Milutinov scored from Gagić’s rebound, Dallo also threw a basket (49:41). It wasn’t a good game, it wasn’t exciting either, but at least we were on the lead. Well, at this point.
There was less than one and a half minutes left from the quarter when Tepić was attacked hard. Referees just waved "go ahead", Duško Vujošević complained. The referees didn’t like that the Master is against their will, they put another technical foul on him. The head coach had to leave the field, from here Velimir Gašić was on charge.
The audience booed and whistled whenever the opponent touched the ball. Despite all this Krka equalized, and they even got the lead with a buzzer beater. (49:51)

The last quarter brought another amount of mud wrestling. Krka was always ahead with 1-2 points. Partizan could equalize twice, both with the help of Murić. It was 56:56 when they could do it for the last time. Partizan also tried with many 3-pointers, but they all failed, all dropped from the rim. Meanwhile the Slovenians slowly started to rise their advantage. 56:58, then  58:60 (Bezbradica scored in the meantime, after more than 2 minutes), then at 58:62 chaos emerged, the referee disagreed with Milutinov’s basket. Partizan challenged, the game was on halt, everyone was watching the screens.

But the referees didn’t change their minds, the game had to go ahead. The audience was booing and hissing, Krka were improving their advantage. Fouls were tougher and tougher, Murić also got it in the neck, meanwhile nothing worked for Partizan. Finally Murić and Gagić could somehow pick the team together (62:64), but at this point the entire Partizan bench was standing and shouting loud towards the referee, who again didn’t want to give a foul against Krka, and this was not the first time the officials were this kind to the opponent. Krka kept on improving, 62:66, then 62:68. Finally Tepić threw a basket (buzzer beater style) and that was the end.

Current league standings:

1. Crvena Zvezda 4 points
2. Union Olimpija 4 points
3. Krka 4 points
4. Budućnost Podgorica 4 points
5. MZT Skopje 3 points
6. Mega Vizura 3 points
7. Levski 3 points
8. Partizan 3 points
9. Szolnoki Olaj 3 points
10. Zadar 3 points
11. Igokea 2 points
12. Cedevita 2 points
13. Metalac 2 points
14. Cibona 2 points

Good news is that Luka Bogdanović signed for Partizan, he can even play against Cedevita.

(photo: mozzartsport.com)

I kept the best one for the end. Léo Westermann posted this on Twitter:

Ajmo crno beli !!! pic.twitter.com/ccrnybFobN
— Westermann Léo (@lwestermann) October 8, 2014

(unsigned images: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Coming up: KK Partizan - Krka on Wednesday (Adriatic League, Round 2)

Partizan welcomes the team of Krka from Slovenia in Pionir Hall on Wednesday at 20:00. At the press conference head coach Duško Vujošević made no secret about how satisfied he is with the team’s victory in Round 1.
- I’m very happy with our victory in Szolnok. We have no players from the US, and those who arrived at us in the summer, were not allowed to play after the Klobučar case. Matches at Szolnok have always been tough, they have an excellent, well prepared team. There was a possibility for us to lose that match. It was still exemplary how both teams were fighting for the ball for 40 minutes.

Those who missed Szolnoki Olaj - KK partizan can watch it here.

- BAT removed the suspension from us - the trainer continued. - We could finally register our new players. It is very good news for the team, but the main problem is still not solved. Our players are not used to not getting salary for months. We owe them money even from the previous season, not just them, but the coaching staff as well as the workers of the club. Some of them haven’t received payment for 11 months.  We have serious financial problems, unfortunately one single victory cannot bring any solution. This victory still showed that there is willpower and dedication despite our difficulties.
- Team Krka has a great trainer and very good players - Vujošević explained about the upcoming match. - They have been together for long, they play quality games. No wonder they won over Cedevita, which was told to be one of the most possible winners of Adriatic League. As for us, we must build up a new team. It makes our situation harder, but we must remember, there is a lot of talent in this team and a great love for basketball. I ask our fans to come to Pionir Hall to support us - but I know I don’t even have to ask it, because our fans know what kind of situation we are in. We need their support. We’ll play against a very good team and we look forward to a tough game.
The head coach told about those with injuries. Andreja Milutinović is doing better, Dragan Milosavljević has started to establish. Milutinov had back pains, but he is ready for battle against Krka.

Another news concerning the basketball team is that they take part in a charity together with BETA organization to help the stray dogs and cats of Belgrade to find them home.

Adopt a stray dog or cat or at least try to find them a new home. You might even get Milenko Tepić as gift. (Well, okay, it was just a joke, nevertheless you would definitely do a noble act.)

The match will be broadcasted live by Sport Klub 1.