Partizan won their second consecutive Serbian basketball cup. In a tense final against Crvena zvezda, the Black and Whites celebrate by 76:74.
A final between Partizan and Zvezda was expected, long before the tournament started on Thursday. Partizan beat FMP (83:71), while Zvezda made it against Mega (92:73).
As ones were getting beat on court, others were getting beat up, with Zvezda and Partizan ultras having a go at each other before the final. Ocasional clashes culminated into a frenzy at the entrance into the city of Niš, earlier today.
The incident gave a full background for the final of the country’s mostly commemorative cup dedicated to the incredibly talented player Radivoje Korać.
Loud supporters on both sides and aggressive blocks by the match protagonists marked this derby.
Partizan was taking more chances than Zvezda, who brought themselves into a subordinate position with missed three pointers and a low turnover rate.
Less than half a second before the end of the match, the refs didn’t side with the Red and Whites in a decision that many consider controversial.
The fact Zvezda who have Euroleague ambitions for the following season allowed themselves to chase each point speaks of the organizational capacities of both Zvezda’s coach Tomić and Partizan’s Trinchieri.
All of which means two things.
- This is coach Andrea Trinchieri’s first trophy leading Partizan, while captain Novica Veličković already lifted the Cup three different times.
- The losing side is complaining over the regularity of the competition
The mutual charges continue among the fans, while a series of declarations is more than expected, considering it’s only Sunday night.