Partizan hosting Fenerbahce for a true clash
The derby of the 25th round of the Euroleague is not only about the present but also about the past, a meeting between the legendary Zeljko Obradovic and his former club led by his former assistant Dimitrios Itoudis. On February 23, Stark Arena in Belgrade will be the place where Itoudis and Obradovic will write another page of their beautiful love story.
Partizan Mozzart Bet has won its last four games in Euroleague and now is in 6th place 13-11 with the same record as 9th place Zalgiris. In the last match, they lost in the semi-finals of the cup against the rival Crvena Zvezda, after a catastrophic second half. Their game is made by foreigners this season, with a good contribution from local players. The team leaders are Kevin Punter who is in extraordinary form with 15 ppg, Dante Exum with 13.3 ppg and Mathias Lessort with 12.8 ppg and 7.2 rebounds. As a team, they have in Euroleague 84.3 ppg, 30.5 rebounds and 14.5 assists.
Fenerbahce Beko is coming after a break of over 2 weeks since the last match against Konyaspor, a narrow victory. In the Euroleague in the last 5 matches, they have 3 victories against Alba Berlin, Monaco and Bayern and 2 defeats at home with Olympiakos and away at Lyon. They are in 5th place in the European competition with a positive balance of 14-9. Just like Partizan, their game is based a lot on foreigners. The leaders are Johnathan Motley with 14.4 ppg and 6 reb, Marko Guduric with 11.8 ppg, 3.3 reb and 3.2 ast and Calathes with 5 ast and 4.5 reb. As a team, they have in Euroleague 83.9 ppg, 34.4 reb and 18.3 ast.
The first match was won by Partizan 73-72 in Istanbul in Ulker Sports and Event Hall. We will have a crazy atmosphere in the stands again between 2 teams not far from the red zone but in very good shape.
Valentin Petruta
Photo credit: EuroLeague
