By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The duo Facundo Campazzo and Luca Vildoza was among the best players in Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet’s journey to the season’s first silverware, leaving their mark in history as the first Argentinian players to win the Radivoj Korac Cup and a trophy overall in Serbian basketball.
The two-time EuroLeague champion Campazzo, who came back to European basketball last December after two years spent in the NBA with Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, was thrilled after winning a trophy just two months after returning from overseas.
“I am very happy; we are all very happy about this first trophy. We wanted it so bad. It is always good to win something, and this will be a motivation for the rest of the season“, Campazzo said after the game.
Crvena Zvezda had massive support in Niš, with the whole gym rooting for Dusko Ivanovic’s players in the final against Mega.
“The fans were crazy. They were singing for 40 minutes and more, they were our sixth player, and together we are like a team“.
A key game in the Serbian Cup, named after legendary Radivoj Korac, was played in the semi-final, where Crvena Zvezda crossed paths with Partizan Mozzart Bet.
The Belgrade derby had it all. From Zeljko Obradovic‘s players leading up to 18 points in the first half, Campazzo and Vildoza, with the help of Filip Petrusev and Nemanja Nedovic, turning the game around in the second, and the match being interrupted after objects were thrown at the court from the stands.
“It was so emotional and passionate, the people were crazy, and I gave everything.”
With winning the Cup as an incentive for the rest of the season, Crvena Zvezda will continue to fight for the playoffs in the EuroLeague. Campazzo said before the trip to Nis that he “tries to stay in shape every day” because, due to a EuroLeague ban imposed on Crvena Zvezda, he still hasn’t played in the European competition. That will change with the start of March.
“I’m gonna play Euroleague soon, and I’m happy,” Facu said before the Cup.
Still, one game is left in the EuroLeague for Campazzo to sit out against Alba Berlin in Belgrade (24/02).
“We gotta enjoy this now, but also think about Alba. We need to continue in the Euroleague in the right way,” Facundo Campazzo added after winning the trophy, staying professional and motivated, as always.
Vildoza: “It’s different than Copa del Rey, we had a lot of emotions after the Partizan game.”
Luca Vildoza played especially well against Partizan in the semis, being the team’s top scorer with 15 points.
“I feel great but tired. We had a very tough game the night before the final, but we knew how to control this one. I’m happy for the team and because we gave a cup to Crvena Zvezda“, Vildoza said.
He compared his experience in the Serbian Cup with Copa del Rey in Spain, where he competed with Baskonia.
“It’s different. Copa del Rey has eight teams playing in European competitions, so I think it’s a bit tougher, but still, against Partizan was tough. We had a lot of emotions after the game. Tonight we did our job, so I’m happy for the team“.
Crvena Zvezda will turn to a fight for the playoffs in the EuroLeague, where they are sitting in 13th place on the standings with an 11-13 score. Everything is still completely open.
“We still have time; it’s still February. We won the last time and got back to the winning track. I hope we can still win, especially cause we are playing at home. We are good“.
Vildoza and Campazzo quickly became the fan favorites, and even in Niš, the Argentinan flags were waiving, with the fans screaming at the top of their lungs: “Argentina, Argentina.”
“They are crazy, and I love them. We are far from home and need the love they show us every game. It was amazing and special, and I’m happy to be here with them, ” Luca Vildoza concluded.
Photo: ABA League/Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet/Djordje Kostic