Partizan Belgrade won Maccabi Tel Aviv in Euro League match with result of 91:79 (27:28, 19:14, 18:24, 15:25). End result was too high and doesn't show what happen on the day where both teams played very good basketball especially in attack. It was almost even game until three minutes before the end when Fred Nilikina sent the bomb from the corner for 3 pointer which made bigger difference for Partizan. Soon after Sterling Brown scored under foul and game has been decided. Those shots from corners for 3 and very good percentage of shooting for 3 points in general, team play and self sacrifice to get the ball were crucial in this win. I mean two Partizan players dived on the floor to get the ball 12 seconds before the end on 10 or 12 points difference. That is wish for ball, that was giving everything for shirt and club they represent, that is what I liked the most!
Game was played in Belgrade despite pride of Israel was host. Let me remind you due to ongoing war in their region they play basketball games as hosts in Belgrade. They usually play in front of empty hall, but last night few hundred of their supporters season ticket holders came to support them.
I don't know how, but it looked like Partizan had also support of more less same number of fans including ex basketball player and club legend Vlade Divac center from 90-ies and early 2000-ies who lead FR Yugoslavia and Serbia toward a lot of honors who played for Partizan, LA Lakers, Sacramento. He played two NBA finals against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls like Lakers player and against Lakers like Sacramento player. If you are older you might remember him and Stojakovic and disgrace of referees in that last final... When Divac is watching you you must do everything you can to win! :)
Game started even with lovely attacks and baskets on both sides when Maccabi went 6 or 8 points ahead, but after time out and one 3 pointer Partizan returned to even game which lasts until the end of first half. Partizan long range artillery worked fine just like Maccabi machine under the bucket where their centers dominated. I've got feeling they collect every ball deflected after few misses they made. They also scored a lot under the bucket.
Second half brought more less same game. Referee made couple of decisions in Partizan's favor in 3rd quarter, but my feeling is all were ok. Of course I can be biased like Partizan fan. Maccabi players complained a lot, refs watched reviews to confirm their decisions. Despite some big mistakes of honor of Israel in that quarter Partizan was unable to gain bigger lead and match remind even with Partizan little lead like 2-6 points. What happen is Maccabi shooters stopped to score like before. One of the reasons was surely fact that Partizan improved defense and forced them to shoot from not so good positions and started to collect more balls after misses.
Crucial moments happen two minutes before the end when Partizan player Jones tried to do slam dunk, but failed on 4 points lead which made me nervous and I thought Maccabi will return in the game, but they failed to do so and then shoot from corner happen which decided winner and team from Israel practically disappeared from the pitch after that.
Impressions are Partizan players are real team, real deal, there is no superstar, all look even good and ready to play and to do everything they can to win the game. The most famous coach of European continent Zeljko Obradovic and sport director Zoran Savic setup real good and serious team this season and I am looking forward to watch next game. It is already looking better than last season!
We've seen nice scenes after the game when all players congratulate each other and greet their fans. Big up to our big friends and big sport opponents from Israel. I hope they will have more luck in next games. Partizan coach and players hailed team spirit and improved defense in second half while Maccabi coach took full responsibility for loss and said they missed a lot of open shots and said he should rotate team more in this game.
Match venue: Pionir; Referees: Carlos Peruga, Josip Radojković, Hugo Tepenije
Maccabi: Saben Lee 5, Omer Mayer 0, Tamir Blatt 10, Dibartolomeo 0, Jaylen Hoard 14, Rafi Menco 0, Roman Sorkin 11, Jasiel Rivero 15, Jake Kohen 4 RLevi Randolph 19, Alpha Kaba 7
Partizan: Carlic Jones 11, Iffe Lundberg 11, Frank Ntilikina 12, Washington 0, Mario Nakić 0, Vanja Marinković 4, Aleksej Pokuševski 2, Sterling Brown 20, Isaac Bonga 14, Arian Lakić 0, Brandon Davies 9, Balša Koprivica 0, Tyrique Jones 8
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