By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
While Partizan Belgrade is widely considered a heavy favorite to move to the 2022-23 EuroLeague, its success isn’t certain at all according to Serbian legendary coach Dusan Ivkovic.
“It can’t be done overnight,” Ivkovic said in an interview to Serbian newspaper Novosti, per Mozzartsport. “No one guarantees that Partizan will be in EuroLeague next year. If all the conditions are met, one should believe that Partizan and Zeljko Obradovic will succeed in achieving that goal, but it’s not an easy job.”
Partizan entire transfer season so far has been an exceedingly loud statement on how much the club wants to return to EuroLeague.
The beginning was made with Zeljko Obradovic‘s return to the club after 20 years. Then came the power signings of such players as guard Kevin Punter (the leading scorer of Olimpia Milano – a EuroLeague Final Four team), big man Zach LeDay (also from Milano) and forward Rodions Kurucs in his return to Europe after three years in the NBA.
Partizan has the coach (the GOAT of European coaches actually) and the difference-making players who can bring the “Partizan back to EuroLeague” mission to completion . The Serbian club can join the top-tier European competition by either getting to the EuroCup Final or winning the ABA League.
Their biggest competition in EuroCup includes Virtus Bologna – strengthened by the likes of former EuroLeague Final Four MVP Ekpe Udoh and young Italian star Nico Mannion, and Valencia – a perennial contender and often the competition’s champion. In ABA, anything else other than a battle between reigning champ Crvena Zvezda and their archrival Partizan will be a surprise.
“Partizan is our only club with a EuroLeague title and it’s logical that the fans want to play in the best competition,” Ivkovic also commented. “However, the rule is that all big clubs have crisis periods, when they fall and fall out of the biggest competitions. A great club isn’t only made from coaches and players, but also fans. If they expect it and if there are conditions for it, their wish should be fulfilled.”
Ivkovic, who is also godparent to Obradovic’s son Djordje, advised Zoc that his return to Partizan was a risky move but also something that could really benefit Serbian basketball.
“We talked about even before he made that decision… I told him it was a big risk but also that it’s very good for our basketball,” Ivkovic said.