SCG - Partizan clinch crown

BELGRADE (Superleague) - Partizan clinched their fifth successive title in Serbia & Montenegro's Superleague on Sunday with an 89-73 triumph over Belgrade rivals Red Star.

Celebrations after the 3-0 sweep in the finals were not frenzied, however, with Game Three having been played behind closed doors as a result of the violence that marred the previous contest.

In Game Two at the Pionir Hall, Red Star fans clashed with police and play was stopped. Red Star, whose boss is Serbia & Montenegro national team coach Dragan Sakota, refused to return to the court after calm was restored and Partizan were ultimately awarded a 20-0 victory.

"It's pity our fans weren't here, at the Pionir Hall, to cheer with us at the moment," said Dejan Milojevic, Partizan's star player who is being strongly linked with a move to Pamesa Valencia in Spain.

"I gave my heart to Partizan, and I hope one day I'll play for the black-and-whites once again."

Milojevic, the league's most valuable player, had 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Team-mates Uros Tripkovic and Kosta Perovic weighed in with 13 points apiece.

Partizan built a 35-25 lead midway through the second quarter and though Red Star cut the deficit to 63-60 seven minutes into the third quarter, Partizan held on.

They replied with eight unanswered points en route to their 13th championship and 25th trophy overall in the club's history.

Milan Gurovic, who was troubled with an ankle injury, had 16 points for Red Star.

"I must congratulate my players who are most responsible for this success, and to all from our club who were in the shadows, but gave much for the team," said Partizan's coach Dusko Vujosevic, who has now won sixth titles with the black-and-whites.

"This trophy has been won by our grit, desire and quality."

By PA Sport