Metalac - FK Partizan 0:1 (superliga, round 10)

We kickstarted this game literally, right after walking out to the pitch of the Gornji Milanovac stadium. Everton shot from the distance (too wide). And that’s how we continued. Both teams had a sweeping start and kicked - no, not the ball, but each other.
There were too many of these very rough clashes. Partizan’s medical team rushed on and off the pitch more during this one game than the entire season.

Partizan’s medical team picking the pieces of Miletić

Metalac also tried with an attempt here and there, having a break from chopping Partizan’s players. They made a smaller goalmouth scramble in the 4th minute, in the meantime Leonardo got his own, personal barnacle defender that kept on hanging on the Brazilian for the whole match. Kljajić had his first job in the 7th minute, catching Caicedo’s right cross. He again caught another, distant shot in the 11th minute. From this we started a counter-attack. Janković crossed, Leonardo was blocked by defenders in the last moment, but we still possessed the ball. We kept Metalac’s goalmouth under pressure, with no attempt though.
Janković was kicked to the ground twice within two minutes, both times he had a painful face laying on the grass.

Today was not Janković’s day. Whenever a Metalac-player got next to him, Janković was immediately kicked or elbowed down

Metalac had two attempts in a row. First was in the 17th minute, the second in the 18th minute. First Rovčanin had a distant shot (too high), then Jovanović tried from the goalmouth (corner-kick). We got two free kicks, first in the 23rd minute. Leonardo shot, 20-22 metres from the box. The ball rolled through the penalty area, everyone was way behind it, then it dropped out of the pitch through the baseline. Then in the 30th minute, again Leonardo shot. The goalkeeper had a big save, Leonardo pushed the ball back to the goalmouth, Đurđević headed it, the goalkeeper caught it. In the 35th minute Metalac had an attempt, for our great luck Caicedo missed the cross coming from the right.

I noticed something and it was so great to see that we are starting to act as a TEAM. There is teamwork and harmony, not just 11 players running up and down the pitch the way they just want. They watch each other and most of all, every little detail among them is dovetailed. This is something you must continue to do in the future, too, boys!

On the pitch there wasn’t much action to watch except the many fouls. Finally in the 42nd minute Jevtović made a distant cannon shot, the goalkeeper saved. Then in the 44th minute Janković made a fantastic dribble, Metalac’s player - probably as a sign of appreciation - kicked him to the ground. The whole Partizan-bench got on their feet, everyone was yelling around, the referee obviously lost control of the scene. Finally he gave a yellow card - to Everton.

The Brazilian didn’t do anything this time. 

Janković, when he is in action and not on the ground, kicked down

We started the second half with a row of attempts. Đurđić headed it in the 47th minute (too high), right after him Leonardo shot (the goalkeeper saved), then again him in the 51st minute with a distant shot (too high). The pace slowed down a bit, but the game was the same heated and full of clashes like in the first half. Metalac had a chance in the 56th minute, Jovanović shot, too high. Right after that Đurđić had a try again, he headed it, too high.
Then in the 61st minute Leonardo just simply stole the ball from a Metalac-player. He ran up, slalomed himself through the defense line, then made a cannon shot from 20 metres. And scored! 0:1

Leonardo shoots...

...and scores. Watch the body language of the Metalac-player

Saša Ilić was about to join the game as a substitute. He surely didn’t mind waiting a bit more to step on the pitch (he could celebrate anyway)

From then on not much happened. Metalac struggled, they had no useful idea at all, out of chopping Partizan-players ahead. The pace simply disappeared, attempts lacked. Though in the 78th minute Đurđević missed out a huge chance. Miletić crossed to the middle, there Đurđević, seriously, he was only 3 steps away from the box, and he missed it out. Then Mitrović had a 30-metre bomb shot to our box, too wide. For the rest of the game Đurđević was chopped mostly instead of Janković (the latter one was substituted in the 81st minute). Leonardo also got his "package", for his luck he was about to get substituted, so he walked off with the help of the medical team. At the very end Đurđević had one last try, the goalkeeper saved.

Highlights:

Facts:

Venue: Metalac stadium, Gornji Milanovac
Number of spectators: 3000
Official: Milan Ilić (assistants: Milan Minić, Ivica Stojanović - 4th official: Danilo Grujić)

Metalac: Belić, Nikodijević, Simović, Otašević, Bondarenko, Panić, Mijić (Mitrović, 77.), Rovčanin (Tomić, 67.), Jovanović, Stojanović, Caicedo (Mladenović, 67.)
Head coach: Nenad Vanić

FK Partizan: Kljajić, Vulićević, Balažic, Miletić, Jevtović, Everton, Janković (A. Stevanović, 81.) Leonardo (Mihajlović, 87.), Đurđević, Đurđić (S. Ilić, 62.)
Head coach: Marko Nikolić

Goal scorer: Leonardo (61.)
Yellow card: Otašević (22.), Đurđević (39.), Everton (44.), Jovanović (65.), Panić (82.)

Current championship standings:
1. CZ 25 points
2. Vojvodina 23 points
3. Radnički Niš 20 points
4. FK Partizan 19 points
5. Mladost 18 points
6. Napredak 16 points
7. Spartak Subotica 16 points
8. Metalac 14 points
9. FK Voždovac 14 points
10. Rad 12 points
11. Javor 9 points
12. Radnik 9 points
13. Novi Pazar 8 points
14. OFK Bačka 7 points
15. Čukarički 6 points
16. Borac 6 points

(photos: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

Metalac - FK Partizan 1:0 (Jelen SuperLiga, Round 16)

Dear fellow fans, I suggest all of you to play this video as a background music while reading this match report. (This way it all gets a surrealistic atmosphere, and maybe it will be a bit less frustrating.)

We got stuck in our half even in the beginning. Until the 4th minute there was some old-man-styled slow-paced ball-passing, then we got a free kick about 25 metres from the goal line. Babović stood behind the ball.
Dear Grave Diggers, I have been watching football matches for more than 25 years now, but I have never ever seen such a SHITTY free kick ever in my life. The ball got up high, fell into the middle of the penalty area like an overripened pear, a defender immediately kicked it out. Aboubakar grabbed it, but his shot flew out near the goalpost.
...and we continued to fumble, slowly, without speeding up. We couldn’t break out of our half, Metalac possessed the ball much more and tried with goal attempts from both sides.

News speak about Ivica Iliev, Partizan’s brand new sports director going into the locker room at the Serbian Cup game against Sinđelić, yelling off all the players for their terrible, atrocious performance. (Iliev himself told about it to Mozzartsport.) I absolutely agree with Iliev, I still wonder though, what kind of consequences there will be after this game.

In the 9th minute Petrović passed to Stevanović. Stevanović was all alone in the penalty area, but he fumbled too much and missed it out.
In the 11th minute Metalac got a corner kick. One of them shot outside the penalty area Kljajić saved, but lost the ball. Finally our defenders cleared the area, but Metalac still possessed the ball. Mladenović sent finally a flat shot to our goal line from 16 metres, Kljajić saved this one, too.
In the 16th minute Metalac got a penalty kick.
Ostojić was wrestling with Đenić inside the penalty area, then Metalac’s striker suddenly made splits and stayed on the ground with a painful face. The referee immediately pointed at the white dot inside the penalty area and even showed the yellow card to Ostojić. Mladenović stood behind the ball, shot and scored, 1:0.
In the 19th minute Petrović had a distant shot, but it was too wide.
Then... well, then we continued to fumble. Metalac still possessed the ball much more than us.

WE DIDN’T ATTACK. It was something brand new. Someone, please, tell me, what is there behind it? Can coaches not bring the best out of the players, or we are simply this crappy?

In the 24th minute we got a free kick, 17 metres from the goal line on the right side. Babović stood behind the ball, he shot, it was too high.
In the 30th minute Ostojić was sent off. The defender was pulling Metalac’s player with two hands (the slow motion replay showed it clearly), and as he already had a yellow card, referee Dimitrijević showed him the red one.

Ostojić, you’re a nice sort of fellow, aren’t you? It’s one thing that the referee wasn’t in shape today (to say the least), but boy, when you already have a yellow card, you mustn’t get into any combat fight. Is that clear?...

And we continued the fumbling, passing the ball without any idea, now with 10 players. Metalac didn’t speed up either. For the rest of the first half the only thing that happened was that Partizan-fans hit the assistant on the head with something, making the game pause for a few minutes.

Nice job, you idiots. Now even FSS will kick us into the ass because of you. As if the team didn’t have enough problems even without this.

Metalac had two quick actions in the extra time, probably against total boredom. First Mladenović shot from 20 metres, it was too high. Then they led an attack almost immediately from the left. Metalac’s player passed it to the middle, for our greatest luck Dimitrijević (not the referee, but the midfielder of the home team, Nikola Dimitrijević) wasn’t quick enough to grab the ball.
In the beginning of the second half there was some action. In the 50th minute Aboubakar got the ball from Vulićević on the right. He headed it to the goal, but it was too wide. Two minutes later Đenić ran up on the left side, he shot, Kljajić saved to corner. The corner kick was cleared well by Ćirković, but the ball fell to Nikodijević. He shot from the distance, but it was to high. In the 54th minute Brković sent a distant, flat shot to our goal line, it was too wide. A minute later we got a free kick, 22 metres from the goal line on the right. Babović stood behind the ball, he ran up, give a huge kick to the ball, which almost flew out of the stadium.
In the 61st minute again Brkić had a try from 17 metres, too wide. They still possessed the ball, Mladenović got it, he shot, Kljajić saved.
In the 62nd minute Metalac got a free kick on the left side, 17 metres from the goal line, in a rather sharp angle. The shot was blocked by our defenders and Šaponjić immediately ran up for a counter-attack. He made a huge solo, rushing up to Metalac’s penalty area, but there goalkeeper Belić ran out of the goalmouth and with great pace he threw himself into Šaponjić’s way and caught the ball.

To all those who curse Šaponjić now: first, this match did not depend on this one very attempt. Second, what could the striker do, when he is not served by the midfielders? What on earth could a striker do when there is an egoistic, self-centered midfielder, who has never heard of team-work, who never wants to pass the ball to him, but rather keeps it, fumbling, being tackled and eventually losing the ball?

In the 63rd minute Dimitrijević shot from a sharp angle in the left, it was too wide. Two minutes later the home team got a free kick, Ćirković blocked. A minute later Stevanović had an attempt, but hit the goalpost brutally with the ball. Metalac started a counter-attack, again Ćirković blocked them.

Can we please place Ćirković to the defense line and forget about Ostojić, like, forever?

Then nothing ever happened on the field for long. Partizan-players became more and more nervous, but we still didn’t attack, we did only the usual fumbling. Finally in the 74th minute we got a free kick 25-28 metres from the goal line. Jevtović shot, the ball hit the wall and fell right into the goalkeeper’s hand. A minute later Kljajić had a very bad goal-kick. The ball dropped to Luković, he immediately shot, too high.
In the 77th minute we got a free kick

out of these few free kicks we didn’t cause any upheaval in front of Metalac’s goal line

17-18 metres from the goal, on the right. Babović stood behind the ball, kicking it right into the wall. In the 78th minute Đenić sent a shot from the middle to our goal, barely missing it.
In the 81th minute Simov presented a perfect handball movement in the middle of the field. He reached out for the ball with his left hand, caught it and passed it down for himself. The slow motion replay clearly showed the deliberateness of his action. The ball arrives, Simov reaches out, up in the air, and with an easy movement he catches it, for personal use, probably.
Any referee in this world would have sent off Simov immediately with a red card. But for Dejan Dimitrijević it was not worth more than a yellow card.

Who bribed the referee and how much did they pay for him?

In the 82nd minute we got a corner kick. After the shot we tried to kick the ball into the net at least 4 times, both from distance and from nearby, but all, ALL our attempts were blocked by the defenders.
In the 90th minute Metalac had a counter-attack. Dimitrijević shot, Kljajić saved, meanwhile fans threw a firecracker into the field.
There was one Partizan free kick left for the 90+2nd minute, 25 metres from the goal line on the right. Babović stood behind the ball, who else. Balažic could touch the ball with his head, but it was too wide.

This is the one and only photo I’m willing to upload about the game, because there is the best player of this game on it. (Hint: has got 4 legs.)

(photo: Facebook/Fudbalski klub Partizan)

Highlights:

Facts:

Venue: Metalac Stadium, Gornji Milanovac
Number of spectators: 2000
Referee: Dejan Dimitrijević (assistants: Nemanja Petrović, Nenad Kurčubić - 4th assistant: Goran Stanojević - goal line assistants: Ilija Brdar, Zoran Široki)

Metalac: Belić - Nikodijević, Simov, Otašević, Rnić - Panić - Dimitrijević, Brkić (Stojković, 72.), Merdović (Luković, 70.), Mladenović - Đenić (Dopuđ, 90+2.)
Head coach: Nenad Vanić

FK Partizan: Kljajić - Vulićević, Balažic, Ostojić, Subić - Jevtović, Petrović (Ćirković, 37.) - Stevanović, Babović, Aboubakar (Grbić, 67.) - Šaponjić (Bojinov, 73.)
Head coach: Ljubinko Drulović

Goal scorer: Mladenović (16. - pen.)
Yellow card: Ostojić (16.), Brkić (40.), Balažic (69.), Simov (81.)
Red card: Ostojić (30.), second yellow card

Current championship standings:
1. CZ 44 points
2. Borac 30 points
3. Čukarički 26 points
4. Partizan 25 points
5. Javor 25 points
6. Radnički Niš 25 points
7. Vojvodina 22 points
8. FK Voždovac 21 points
9. Mladost 20 points
10. Novi Pazar 20 points
11. Metalac 18 points
12. Surdulica 17 points
13. OFK Beograd 15 points
14. Rad 13 points
15. Jagodina 11 points
16. Spartak Zlatibor Voda 7 points

Metalac - KK Partizan 69:73 (Serbian Superliga semifinal, 2nd match)

This game was a lot different from the previous one with the easy-going 20-point difference. This time it was much closer, with more mistakes and at least questionnable referee judgements.

Warming up

In the first quarter we were on the lead for the whole time, usually with 2-3-4 points. At one point Metalac equalized (10:10), but Milosavljević quickly scored a 3-pointer and we took back the lead (10:13). It seemed though, the opponent tries everything to inactivate Mačvan. We finished the first part with 16:19.

A free throw in the first quarter

For the second quarter Milutinov already had a scratch on his neck, while Marinković got two fouls within a short time. Duško Vujošević questionned the referees’ judgement with big gestures, in exchange he got a technical foul. Personal fouls happened as often as at the previous game, the difference was that this time the judgements lacked logics.

Like, e.g. Mačvan was fouled because why not.

Meanwhile Metalac made a 5:2 series and took the lead (22:21). Milutinović decided to end it and quickly switched the standing to 22:25.
The game looked the same as in the first quarter. It was fragmented with lots of mistakes and fouls. Barely any basket was thrown. We finished the first half with 32:34.

Snapshot from the second quarter

The third quarter started with a short delay, because the ball disappeared. People were rushing up and down, finally they found a basketball and we could start the second half. Mačvan scored with a hook (32:36), then Milutinov performed the Block of the Year.

(image: glimmerkkp.blogspot.com)

The game itself looked still the same, with almost no baskets and lots of fouls. Tepić was also fouled, all of a sudden, randomly, while ArenaSport’s commentators laughed loud on air that the sun was glaring into the Valjevo sports hall burning the eyes of the players.
At 36:38 Pavlović scored a life-saving 3-pointer (36:41). Then we could score only from free throw for quite a time. No, not because we are so lame and we can’t score from action, but because there were so many fouls. Andrić got his 4th personal foul

because why not

Metalac took back the lead (43:42), Tepić took it back (43:44). Metalac equalized (44:44), then Tepić and Mačvan quickly scored 5 points (44:49). We finished the third quarter with 46:53, Đumić scored, followed by Tepić, we had a 6-point difference.
In the last quarter the Bezbradica-Tepić-Milosavljević axis increased our difference to 10 points (50:60) and we tried to keep it. We could, what is more, at a point we made it to 15 points (52:67).

Miša Tumbas was there, of course

Then Metalac made a 13-point series. 65:67. They were right behind us. Mačvan immediately scored a 3-pointer (65:70), in the meantime Duško Vujošević got into a debate with the officials of the basketball association. On the court there was a heavy and bitter battle, still without scores. 9 seconds before the end Andrić was fouled out, 2 seconds before the end Jeremić also got his 5th personal foul. At the very end, at 69:71 we got a free throw, Milosavljević scored from it (69:73). Partizan qualified to the superliga final, where we’ll clash with Crvena Zvezda. The first match takes part on 12th June.

Miša at the end of the game...

...happily celebrated with the team

(Unmarked photos: Twitter)

KK Partizan - Metalac 86:66 (Serbian SuperLiga semifinal, 1st match)

The plan was about RTS 2 and ArenaSport broadcasting this match live, but finally all fans had to watch the one and only available semi-official KLS-stream, because all TV-channels found a volleyball match more important than the basketball championship semifinal.

At least we know our place in the order of importance.

But first things first, we warmed up.

Someone’s sneaker got pictured

Pavlović is warming up

Edo Murić was watching the game from the auditorium. Very bad news about him is that he must undergo operation with his injured shoulder. Nobody knows when he will recover fully.

Thanks to you, Jenkins, you bastard...

Then we ran out to the court and made the standing quickly to 6:3. At a point Metalac equalized (8:8), but we took back the lead with the baskets of Milutinov and Mačvan (12:8). There was a big fight on the court, with lots of fouls and free throws. We made it to 19:10, Mačvan was very active during the entire quarter. Pavlović’s free throw brought the 10-point difference (28:18). We finished the quarter with 31:20, with Andrić’s 3-pointer just before the buzz.

Of course Miša Tumbas was there giving emotional support to the players

For the second quarter volleyball has ended, we could watch the game on TV (or TV stream). In the beginning Metalac scored (31:22), followed by a long silence. No baskets were scored, the two teams were just strangling each other silently. After more than 3 minutes (the display’s clock on the wall was at 06:50) when Mačvan threw a basket (33:22). The battle was still great, with fouls and free throws. At 35:24 Metalac’s trainer asked for a time-out. After that the guest team scored (35:26), but then Partizan made a 11:2 series. We scored mostly from free throw, but it could be seen clearly our 3-pointer king Andrić that he will make it big this time. The half-time result was 46:28, even at this point we were about to make the 20-point difference.

In the half-time, as always, children were playing on the court

For the third quarter we made the 20 points (50:28).
We continued like this. Pavlović, Marinković, Milutinov and Andrić increased the difference to 60:32. Even the 30-point difference seemed to be achieved. Dallo made a dunk with Pavlović’s assist (68:39). For the last quarter we entered with a 25-point difference (68:43).

Partizan-bench during the match

In the finale Metalac reduced the difference to 68:50, Milutinov settled back the 20-point difference (71:50). He made a slam dunk, while two Metalac-players were hanging on him (73:50). In the meantime Andrić threw a row of 3-pointers with a humble smile (79:55). At 82:65 Đumić was fouled out, then at 84:66, just a few seconds before the end Glišić scored a basket. 86:66. We won with a 20-point difference against Metalac, this way we are leading to 1:0. Next match is tomorrow, from 18:00 (on RTS 2 and ArenaSport 1, hopefully).

(Photos: Twitter)

Metalac - KK Partizan 62:80 (Serbian SuperLiga play-off, Round 11)

Routine victory, or call what you may. This was the smoothest, easiest game of the season.
It was just the beginning, but we made it to 6:18. Tepić started, Milosavljević and Mačvan continued, Murić put the dot to the letter "i". Metalac’s trainer asked for time-out twice in the first quarter, but despite their efforts it became 6:20, then 8:22. We finished the first part with 10:24.
In the second quarter Andrić entered the court, bringing a row of 3-pointers (14:35). We reached the 20-point difference, even stepping over it. We played overwhelming, with a lot of self-confidence, while nothing wanted to work for Metalac, the ball always rebounded from the ring. The standing was 18:39, then 21:41. At the end of the first half it was 23:46, our advantage was 23 points.
We continued like this in the third quarter.
26:52. Our advantage was 26 points.
Then Metalac picked themselves together a bit. At 29:54 they made a 9:1-series (38:55). Dallo settled back the 20-point difference (38:58). From this point on it was about whether we can keep the 20 points as our advantage or not, or maybe we can even increase it. We headed to the final quarter with 46:63.
I have to admit, I have a respect for Metalac-players. All odds were against them, and they looked as if they would be cursed, as the ball almost never fell into the ring. Still they didn’t give it up, they fought, while Partizan played and scored at ease. We kept the 20-point difference, being rather within 20 points than exceeding it. At the end the standing was 60:80 after Mačvan’s 3-pointer, Metalac reduced the difference soon before the buzz with Rakičević’s free throws.

Milutinov himself scored 11 points for Partizan

(photo: mondo.rs)

Current standings of the play-off:
1. CZ 22 points
2. Partizan 21 points
3. Metalac 17 points
4. Mega Leks 16 points
5. Vojvodina 16 points
6. FMP 14 points
7. Konstantin 14 points
12. Tamiš 12 points

Basketball superliga - two matches, one post

Now you get the last two matches of the basketball match in the Serbian superliga in bulk. The timetable of the past few days was a bit tough, the team played 2 matches within 3 days, luckily both were routine victories.
On Saturday Partizan met Metalac from Valjevo in Pionir Hall. There was a special guest at this match, Nikola Peković, Minnesota Timberwolves’ player came to see his former team, Partizan.

In the middle there is JR Holding, former basketball player of CSKA Moscow, he also came to Pionir Hall to see Partizan

(photos: Facebook/KK Partizan)

First we took the lead to 5:0, then Metalac equalized (5:5). At a point they even switched the standing to their side (7:9), we equalized with Milutinov’s basket. Metalac took it very seriously, they took back the lead again (9:11), but Partizan, thanks to the teamwork of Milutinov and Mačvan gained back control. We won the first quarter to 23:17.
In the second quarter Tepić and Milosavljević were the engines of the team (30:23), but Metalac did not let themselves push down (35:30). The Murić-Mačvan-Milutinov trio increased our advantage to two-digit with an amazing 9:0 series (44:30). The half-time result was 48:36, Milutinović also added his own part to keep up the 10+ points difference.
In the third part Metalac again rose from the dead and reduced the difference with a 0:7 series (48:43). Murić came, saw and the world’s order was settled back together with the two-digit advantage. Metalac still does deserve all respect by not giving up, but after the Captain’s 3-pointer the standing was 60:50. The end result of the third quarter was 64:55.
The last part was the Parni valjak part. The only question left was if we could make the 20-point difference. We were close (75:57), and then we made it for the end. The final result of the game was 82:61.

On Monday we played against Vojvodina in Novi Sad. We pushed a great pace already in the beginning, barely letting Vojvodina to find their breath. The home team could score their first point only after 5 minutes, when we were on the lead to 0:13, then to 2:19. The end result of the first quarter was 14:27, even at this point it was clear only the simultaneous happening of a volcano eruption, an earthquake and a tsunami could prevent this victory.
In the second quarter the pace got a bit slower, Vojvodina reduced the difference to 23:26, then to 30:37. The result of the half-time was 34:47.
In the third quarter the home team reduced the difference even more (41:45). At a point it was 44:47, it started to be a bit dangerous. Then Milutinov, but especially Tepić took the team on their back and quickly increased the difference to two-digit (46:58). At the end of the quarter our advantage was 14 points. (47:61)
The finale was almost a formality. We made the 20-point difference (53:74), the only question was if we could keep it. We couldn’t, but may it be our biggest loss. The end result was 61:79.

Current standing of the play-off series after 5 rounds:
1. CZ 10 points
2. Partizan 10 points
3. Vojvodina 8 points
4. Metalac 8 points
5. Mega Leks 7 points
6. FMP 7 points
7. Konstantin 5 points
8. Tamis 5 points

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 NIS - Metalac 84:77 (Adriatic League, Round 5)

WE MADE IT!!! WE WON!!!
At first it did not seem so at all. Metalac was ahead with 0:5, when Gagić scored our first basket. Our defense was a bit draughty, the Valjevo team scored more (2:7, then 4:9, from our side Milutinov threw a basket). As a matter of fact, we scored 12 points in the first quarter, and 8 of them were free throws. That’s how it was going. This Milutinov-basket mentioned above was one of the "field goals", another was by Bogdanović at 9:19. (Hanging on the truth, Bogdanović’s 2-pointer score went with a bonus shot.) Even though Andrić tried a 3-pointer at the end of the quarter. (I’ll tell more about him later.) The first quarter ended with 12:23, it was rather saddening.
Well, at this point only.

Match action: Laocoön-group of Gagić and Metalac-players

The second half was started by Milutinov (14:23), then - better to be safe than sorry - Gagić also threw a basket (16:25), but Metalac still didn’t want to stop scoring more and more. They made a 2:9 series, it was 18:34 to them (Andrić scored in the meantime). Then it was 20:36, when Bogdanović threw our first 3-pointer.

Match action: Vanja Marinković

One foul here, one foul there, 24:38. Our defense was still a relatively cool passage way (for Metalac surely...), that resulted in 25:42. Then a wrestling match started under Metalac’s backboard...

...we tried all sorts of methods, finally compassion won over the referee’s heart and Partizan got a free throw. Gagić stood there and scored (27:42).
And something started at this point.
As if the pieces of the puzzle suddenly got together. Everything started to roll, the team shook themselves up and Andrić scored the season’s most heart-warming 3-pointer as a beginning. Then Metalac attacked, but we made a turnover and Bogdanović reduced the difference (32:42). The guests pressured a 3-pointer in, but just half a minute before the end buzz Murić scored. The half time result was 34:45.
At the beginning of the third quarter the opponent was still trying, Gagić got another foul (34:46), then... then came a brutal, 10-point series by Partizan.
Yes.
You see it well.
10-point series by Partizan. From 34:46 to 44:46.
Gagić threw a basket. Then Milutinov brought another 3 points - basket with bonus shot. (39:46) Then Murić scored a 3-pointer from a great counter-attack, and the dot to the letter i was put by Milutinov. After Murić’s score there was still an extra bonus shot, but the Slovenian player missed it. Milutinov didn’t, he made a rebound and scored. 44:46.
Metalac tried to keep the pace with a 3-pointer, but it didn’t last long. Again Milutinov, he came, saw and equalized. 49:49.
Then again equal, thanks to Bogdanović - 51:51.

And then 54:51.
54:51!!!
Mihajlo Andrić and his brilliant 3-pointer.
Metalac tried to save what they could. They equalized (54:54), but Tepić turned it for the benefit of Partizan. Finally, 17 seconds before the end of the quarter Andrić scored another fantastic 3-pointer. (59:57)

Match action: wrestling

The last quarter was the quarter of fireworks. Andrić followed his own footsteps (62:57). Gagić was used as a punchbag by the opponent, the center fell on the floor and slided out of the field. Free throw. (65:63) The Kraljevo-based team picked themselves together one more time and equalized. (65:65) Then came Murić and the score was 67:65 on the board.
Then 70:65.
Then 73:67, with Bogdanović’s perfect 3-pointer. Murić scored from free throw (75:67). Here Metalac worked off a bit their difference, the standing was 76:71. Only 2 minutes were left from the match, when Milutinov dunked and it was 78:71. Andrić scored another fantastic 3-pointer (82:75), Average Fan happily screamed, and for the very end there were two points left, both from free throws, one by Bogdanović and another by Dallo. 84:77. We won. Thank God.

KK Partizan: Tepić (4), Murić (11), Marinković, Dallo (1), Milutinovi (17), Mačvan, Gagić (13), Andrić (18), Milutinović (3), Glišić, Bogdanović (14), Šalić
Metalac: Malešević (4), Radenković, Bakić (11), Kutlešić (12), Otašević (3), Majstorović (10), Jevtović (8), Jošilo (7), Tomašević, Ljubičić (10), Rakićević, Todorović (12)

(photos: Facebook/KK Partizan)

Coming up: all in bulk

Saturday will be a tough day, three matches will be played by three different divisions of Partizan. The handball team starts the day, being the hosts for Kolubara from 18:45. If all goes well, everyone can follow the match here via live stream.
By the way, handball, a few days ago some of the boys took part at Ušće Fashion Night. Vanja Ilić, Stevan Sretenović, Nemanja Živković and Mihajlo Radojković all appeared on the catwalk (while probably trying hard not to burst into laugh).

(photos: rkpartizan.rs)

They are followed by the basketball team. They haven’t decided yet though whether they want to continue their career as male models

I just couldn’t help

they meet Metalac at 19:00 in Adriatic League.
- Our loss against Krka was unforeseen, the rest was more or less expected - summarized Duško Vujošević. - All of them put us into a kind of delicate position, but we still mustn’t panic and get tensed. I hope we can find a position where we can psychologically relax.
- Metalac is a very good team, they played quite open matches against Budućnost and Cedevita. They are highly motivated against us.
The basketball match will be broadcasted live by SportKlub 3.

The last fighters of the day are the waterpolo team. They play against Mladost in Triglav League. They start at 21:15 in Zagreb.
Mladost - VK Partizan will be broadcasted live by ArenaSport 1.