adriatic
26/04/2010
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ADRIATIC LEAGUE - Partizan celebrate title after Kecman miracle shot

ZAGREB (Adriatic League) – Serbia national team guard Dusan Kecman gave the Adriatic League an incredible finish on Sunday that left Partizan Belgrade celebrating a fourth title in a row.

With just 0.6 seconds remaining in overtime, Dusan Kecman released a shot from beyond half-court and watched it bank in as Partizan Belgrade shocked Cibona in the final, 75-74.

“What is there to say after such a victory?” Kecman said.

“I do not know how to explain it.

“This happens once in a million years.”

Croatia international Marko Tomas had hit a three-pointer that pulled the Final Four hosts to within one and then Bojan Bogdanovic had buried a three for a 74-72 Cibona advantage.

Kecman, however, ruined the party for Cibona.

"After Bogdanovic's three-pointer, I looked and saw that 0.6 seconds remained," Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic said.

"I sincerely believe that we would win."

The game-winner not only gave Partizan their fourth straight Adriatic League crown.

It also reminded basketball fans in Europe that anything will be possible when the men from Belgrade travel to Paris for the Euroleague Final Four.

They will be underdogs against Olympiacos in the Semi-Finals on May 7 and, if they win, they’ll be underdogs again against the winner of the other semi between CSKA Moscow and Regal Barcelona.

Jamont Gordon and Tomas each had 31 points in defeat.

Australia international Aleks Maric poured in 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Partizan.

Kecman, whose heroics helped Partizan upset Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague Quarter-Finals, finished with 10 points.

He may be playing his way into Dusan Ivkovic’s Serbia squad for the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

FIBA