By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Scoring 14 points with 4/5 from two and shooting the decisive three-pointer to give Zeljko Obradovic the lead late in the game against Crvena Zvezda, Aleksa Avramovic was Partizan’s hero in the Belgrade derby won at the Stark Arena.
Speaking to the Serbian media after the encounter, he commented on his team’s performance. “We showed character and after ten games we finally did something. A big deal in an ordinary game, we will play many more derbies this season. We shouldn’t get carried away, we fired all the guns, believe me. We ended up winning”, the 29-year-old guard commented.
He also said the focus is already on the next derby against the red-and-white side in the ABA League. “Let’s move on, we have a rest day to spend with our families, and then training to prepare for an even more important duel with Crvena Zvezda in the ABA League. Every next one is the most important, there is no euphoria, let’s move on”, Aleksa Avramovic added.
Most importantly, he spoke about his personal performance, stepping up late. “I have to take responsibility myself, I felt that the team and the audience trust me, it is normal that I will never run away from responsibility. It’s me”, he added before commenting on playing against Milos Teodosic. “Interesting. He is my teammate from the national team, we always joke and make fun, that’s how it was this time too”, the 29-year-old player stated about the former Virtus Bologna player.
Speaking to the EuroLeague in the post-game flash interview, the Serbian guard praised his teammate. “All 10 players were the man of the night, as well as the coaching staff and our incredible fans. We were in a tough spot when we trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter but we believed in each other. Winning the derby is always a special thing”, he rapidly commented before running back to his fanbase.
Coming off an exciting campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the Serbian national team, averaging 11.3 points and 1.6 steals with 63.6% from two-point range, he has been posting up 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in this year’s EuroLeague with Partizan Belgrade.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague