Serbia - Partizan’s top European game
Bozidar Maljkovic, celebrated Serbian basketball coach, claims Partizan and Montepaschi Siena currently play the best European basketball. The praise comes just days before the Belgrade team’s Euroleague quarter-final series against Tau Ceramica of Spain. The club from Vitoria entertain Partizan on Tuesday, 8.30 in the first match of the best-of-three quarter-final series. Maljkovic, former Tau Ceramica coach, comments on the Serbian champions’ chances of making it to the final-four tournament.
From www.blic.co.yu
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Bozidar Maljkovic, celebrated Serbian basketball coach, claims Partizan and Montepaschi Siena currently play the best European basketball. The praise comes just days before the Belgrade team’s Euroleague quarter-final series against Tau Ceramica of Spain.
The club from Vitoria entertain Partizan on Tuesday, 8.30 in the first match of the best-of-three quarter-final series. Maljkovic, former Tau Ceramica coach, comments on the Serbian champions’ chances of making it to the final-four tournament.
- "I don’t wish to analyse the Spanish side. Anyhow, Partizan are in for an extremely tough series, while the only thing I can say about Tau Ceramica is that they are an extremely offensive side, led by Igor Rakocevic, Mickael, Planinic, Splitter and McDonald,” Maljkovic said for Blic.
Nonetheless, do you still believe Partizan stand a chance of qualifying to the final-four?
- "Without a doubt. This generation of Partizan players can take on any team in Europe, and they, together with the Italian team Montepaschi, play the finest basketball there is in Europe at the moment. Their game appeals to me enormously and I’d like to believe they will display their skill in the series with Tau Ceramica.”
What do you think lies behind the undisputed success of Partizan this season?
- "Their approach is extremely professional, they know how to buy time, they have ferocity, maturity, discipline and self-confidence in their play. This all is the result of coach Dusko Vujosevic’s work with Partizan, who is a great example that results come when coaches have full authority in leading a team.”
What about their team roster?
- "They have all been a big surprise this season. It’s only Dusan Kecman that everyone had expected to deliver. Perhaps the biggest surprise has been Vitkovac, who was the last to join the squad, then there is the captain Bozic, etc.”
The Belgrade team’s fans have been the sixth player of their team the whole season.
- "They’ve been a tremendous help, they’re showing undivided affection for their club; they applaud even when the team aren’t doing well.”
What would be your word of advice to Partizan?
- "I wish them to make it to the final-four tournament in Madrid. I’ll support them in the series against Tau Ceramica with all my heart,” says Maljkovic.