By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet opened the 2024/25 EuroLeague season with a road win, taking down debutant Paris Basketball in the Adidas Arena.
It all came down to the wire in the French capital, with the experience of the Belgrade team making the difference. Nemanja Nedovic led the way, with Nikola Kalinic following as the second most valuable player on the winning side (PIR 17).
“Incredible game. EuroLeague is back — the intensity, the energy is back. We knew they would come out full of energy, wanting to win in their new arena in front of their fans. Once we managed to control the pace and rhythm of the game, we played an amazing second half, and I’m proud of the guys. First game in the books, and every win is important. Great feeling!” Kalinic said after the game in which Crvena zvezda prevailed despite trailing 13 points in the third period.
As a player with 310 EuroLeague appearances under his belt, Kalinic believes that Paris will be a breath of fresh air in the top continental competition.
“They played amazing tonight. I don’t know if they can sustain this level of play, but I think they can. They have fresh energy, playing atypically. We’ll see how that works in the EuroLeague. I think they’re going to be good — they are a great team, well-led by Thiago.”
“T.J. Shorts is a legitimate EuroLeague player”
On the other side, former standout EuroLeague player Thiago Splitter started his coaching career at the top European level.
“I’m proud of our guys. They fought hard. We could have made a couple more shots and defended a little better, but I’m proud of the effort in our first EuroLeague game. These guys fought a lot to be here; they put on a great show. We couldn’t win in the end, but I’m proud,” said the Brazilian after his EuroLeague debut on the bench of the French team.
Commenting on the atmosphere in the Adidas Arena, he reflected on the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was a part of the Brazilian coaching staff.
“I was at the Olympics with the national team, and I felt this when we played France in Lille. It was amazing to feel and experience as a player and now as a coach. It’s a great sport, and we have great fans.”
Nemanja Nedovic said after the game that Paris’ leader, T.J. Shorts, is already a “legitimate EuroLeague player,” and Splitter echoed the praises of the former Basketball Champions League and EuroCup MVP. Shorts had to leave the court at one point but returned and fought until the end.
“He’s a warrior and a giant. He just tweaked it a little but got back into the game,” Splitter concluded.