EA7 Armani qualified to top 16 phase of Turkish Airlines Euroleague after they defeated Partizan mt:s last night in Pionir Arena in Belgrade.

Once again, Pionir Arena was crowded, with about 7.500 or even more visitors. As TV commentator said in one moment that he can’t remember that Pionir Arena was so crowded in past.

Too bad, but this wasn’t enough for Black and white team to beat good EA7 Armani and give their fans the best Christmas and New Year present.

Partizan mt:s started good in this game, everything looks pretty good, and in some moments I said that we play maybe the best defense in this season. On the other hand Armani missed some open shots.

One lucky shot of Dragan Milosavljevic at the buzzer of first half, finished first 20 minutes of game with 36:29 (+7 and +4 from game in Milano). Many believed that this could be enough for positive result and top 16 phase.

But, players of EA7 Armani and their coach Sergio Scariolo, disagreed with this. In the third quarter of game, same old story for Partizan mt:s. How many times in this season they had problems in third quarter and why? EA7 Armani won this quarter 22:14.

In last quarter better game for Armani, they looked much better and they believed in this win. On Partizan mt:s side I felt some confusion, like some of players got scared that they might succeed in this game.

Dragan Milosavljevic played pretty good but only in first half. In second half he was almost invisible. I would like to know why Dusan Kecman played only 18 minutes, Petar Bozic only 8. The most experienced players, players who won many titles were benched and Coach Jovanovic expected from Milosavljevic, Lucic and Raduljica to bring him this win, nonsense.

I could write a book about Jovanovic, his philosophy and mistakes in this game, but to be honest it wouldn’t change anything. We lost.

But, I would like to know, how is possible that one team as a Partizan mt:s is, have so many problems against zone defense and match-up zone defense during whole season, and that coach Jovanovic wasn’t able to fix this problem. Of course this is not the only problem in this season.

Our inside play is terrible since Pekovic left team. Shouldn’t we change our way of playing? Don’t we see that Raduljica and Katic can’t play at that level as Pekovic played? On the other hand, Rasko Katic who was benched when Pekovic was here, of course that he has a problem right now, since he didn’t played much at all in this season.

Acie Law. Watching this guy playing many times I asked myself why? Why Partizan mt:s signed him? Who was a scout, who recommended this guy? I can’t remember that Law showed anything in this season. The worst playmaker options we ever had.

I don’t want to talk about missed free throws in key moments of the game, but one thing I can’t forget. When he missed first free throw and when everybody expected that he will miss another one, just to give a chance for Raduljica and Katic to rebound and try to score 2 points or earn another 2 free throws, he scored another free throw. Unbelievable, even TV commentator was surprised.

Of course, after this defeat on discussion boards in Serbia there are many comments that Vlada Jovanovic should resign, that we should send Law home, etc, etc… I wish if we could win last night and qualify to top 16 phase. In that case I expected that Dule Vujosevic will come back, and that we will get few more players for top 16.

In this case, I would send Acie Law home, but keep Jovanovic to finish this season, but with clause. He must use young players much more. Young Danilo Andjusic MUST play. Other young players MUST get chance in ABA Adriatic league.

Of course, goals for season are changed now. I believe that we have no chance to win ABA Adriatic league. But, it must be goal to win domestic championship title and National cup title BUT with young players, or better say, to give young players more playing time.

After this season, praise the Lord to get back Vujosevic and start building new team for highest goals in Euroleague.

And one interesting detail. Before the game, guest in improvised studio in Pionir Arena was one of Serbian coaches, Vlade Djurovic. In conversation with TV commentator he said that the “weakest link” in EA7 Armani is their coach Sergio Scariolo, as he stated: “He always coached good teams, but he never won any title.” I just couldn’t believed what Djurovic talking, but lastly, Scariolo won and will play top 16 phase of Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

Photo: kkpartizan.rs