SRB - Third time lucky for Partizan Belgrade

BELGRADE (Adriatic League) - It took three tries but Partizan Belgrade are finally celebrating an Adriatic League crown after sweeping FMP in two play-off final games.

In a Belgrade derby, Partizan followed up their 85-83 triumph at the FMP, the team that beat them in last year's finals, with a 94-82 triumph in the city's famous Pionir Hall.

Serbian national team guard Uroš Tripkovic led the way with 19 points but Dusko Vujosevic's team had seven players who scored nine or more.

"I'm thrilled that we've won the Adriatic League," said Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic, before voicing concerns about the tournament.

"We are participating in this competition because of well-known reasons, and even though we don't have any concrete profit from it, it is really nice to win the trophy.

"We've played with our maximum in all games, we've acted professionally, despite often not receiving equal treatment.

"I must say that if the Adriatic League, if it wants to survive, it must change something in itself seriously.

"The competition must be more regular. Also, it is unacceptable that among the owners, there are no Serbs at all, and the best basketball is played here, in Serbia."

The former Yugoslavia won the FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2002, and also captured EuroBasket crowns in

"With that, the Adriatic League champions must gain automatic place in Euroleague.

"Even so, it was very good experience for us to play in the Adriatic League, we must turn right now to our own national championship.

"The Serbian Superleague is the most important competition for us, and we must behave not like regional champions, we must behave like season has just started for us."

Vujosevic did thank the club's fans for their support, and also added: "It was good for Serbian basketball that two Serbian clubs played for Adriatic League title."

FIBA