By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet opted for a coaching change after three straight EuroLeague losses, appointing Ioannis Sfairopoulos in place of Dusko Ivanovic. The Greek coach had one training session with the team and already achieved his first win in Belgrade, defeating FMP Soccerbet 72-83 in ABA League Round 4.
Milos Teodosic led the winning side with 11 points and 10 assists, while Shabazz Napier was also on the verge of a double-double with 10 points and eight assists. Dejan Davidovac, Dalibor Ilic, and Yago Dos Santos each added 10 points.
For the losing side, Jordan Walker scored 17 points, while Andrija Stepanovic added 15.
Crvena Zvezda played patiently, with the focus on teamwork, and managed to collect 31 assists during the match. FMP fought well, even tying in the last quarter, but Dos Santos paved the way for the guests with five straight points, and the Belgrade team secured the fourth win in the competition from the free-throw line.
First loss for defending champions Partizan in ABA League
Crvena Zvezda maintained their perfect record, but Partizan Mozzart Bet suffered a loss in the fourth round of the Adriatic League. The defending champions were defeated by Mega MIS 88-86 in a buzzer-beater.
Talented Nikola Topic missed a layup in the final moments of the fourth quarter, but after Uros Plavsic and Uros Trifunovic battled for a rebound, the ball ultimately fell into the basket. Referees reviewed the video and confirmed it was a valid play, securing the win for the hosts.
Aleksa Avramovic’s 26 points and Frank Kaminsky’s 24 points weren’t enough for Partizan, as only James Nunnally finished in double digits besides them, scoring 11 points.
Nikola Djurisic led the winning side with 17 points, Plavsic added 15, Nikola Topic was on the verge of a double-double with 14 points and eight assists, as well as Andrija Jelavic who had nine points and 10 rebounds. Timotej Malovec also added 10 points.
Next up for Partizan and Crvena Zvezda is the Belgrade derby in Round 5 of the EuroLeague (26/10), and then another in ABA League (30/10).
ABA League Round 5 results:
Split – Borac 75-61
Buducnost – Cibona 93-85
Krka – Zadar 75-88
Igokea – Cedevita Olimpija 83-72
SC Derby – Morrnar 94-79
FMP – Crvena Zvezda 72-83
Mega – Partizan 88-86
Standings: Crvena zvezda 4-0, Buducnost 4-0, Partizan 3-1, SC Derby 3-1…