We have the biggest and best derby in European basketball in Belgrade tonight. Crvena Zvezda will take on their eternal arch rivals of Partizan. Zvezda has been the better side so far this season. This anticipated game could be a turning point for Partizan and their season if they win it.
Zvezda currently sits in the 10th spot in the table of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. They have a record of five wins and five losses. Zvezda had an excellent start to the season with three straight wins. Their best start ever in the Euroleague. Lately they have had a tough time winning games even if they are in the games to the bitter end. Zvezda lost their last match to the French side of Lyon-Villeurbanne (74-77).
Zvezda is playing harder than ever on defence this season. The Head Coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos is to be credited for that. Their defence is what's keeping them in almost every game so far in the Euroleague. This a huge game for Zvezda since Partizan has been the better of the two Belgrade clubs since joining the Turkish Airlines Euroleague a couple of seasons ago. The Serbian center Filip Petrusev joined the club on loan from Olympiacos recently and he has been playing well and been a contributor since his arrival. Zvezda has six straight wins in the domestic ABA league.
The season has been a huge miscalculation so far for Partizan and their legendary Head Coach Zeljko Obradovic. Partizan has been a success story since they joined The Euroleague and we know what Obradovic is dreaming of personally. He has won the Euroleague nine times and he would love to win his 10th with the club in his heart, Partizan. With a record of two wins and eight losses Partizan is really far away from creating magic this season. So a win versus Zvezda would be a big turn around for the season and a momentum builder going forward.
Partizan have lost six straight games in the Euroleague. The roster is very different to last season and things haven’t fallen in place yet. Partizan has won nine straight games in the domestic league. The former NBA player Frank Ntikiklina is yet to find his rhythm with Partizan. The Frenchman joined the club this off season.
