Partizan Lose to Panathinaikos 55-72 as Obradovic Returns
Obradovic turned down a gift from the club, the crowd chanted his name, and Partizan hit 4 of 26 threes. Fenerbahce are next, Thursday in Istanbul.
Before tip-off on Tuesday evening, Zeljko Obradovic walked out of the Belgrade Arena tunnel and, as he used to, hugged the little girl who always waited for him at that spot. The crowd, a sellout, then chanted his name for several minutes. The scoreboard read at the end: Partizan Mozzart Bet lost to Panathinaikos 55-72 in Round 5 of the EuroLeague.
We wrote ahead of the game about an Arena packed for Obradovic. His first return to Belgrade as the coach of a rival ended with a win for a team that has no losses after five rounds.
Why did Obradovic refuse the gift the club had prepared?
According to Sport Klub, Partizan had prepared a picture with the word “forever” on it, as the club’s tradition is to hand a keepsake to people who return. Obradovic told people at the club before the game that he did not want it. Others did receive gifts: Matias Lessort got a fan’s megaphone and Alen Smailagic got fishing gear.
Obradovic explained it after the game at the press conference:
“I had a conversation, people informed me that something like that was being prepared and I said there was no need. Partizan gave me everything, there is no need for it to give me anything more. Just as I gave it everything. If someone thinks differently, that is their right too. I feel like a part of this and nobody can take that away from me.”
Asked about his biggest impression of the EuroLeague, he spoke about his job at Panathinaikos: “I am working now at a club that has given me what I love most, and that is to work on the court. To have people around me who cooperate with me and who are absolutely dedicated. We are all here so that the players only think about basketball, and that is happening now. I am focused only on the court and I hope it stays that way. The challenges are big, only five rounds have gone by, so we have a long road ahead of us.”
How did Partizan lose the game?
The hosts started better and led 11-6 at one point, with Carlik Jones in rhythm, but the visitors tied it at 16-16 by the end of the first quarter. In the second, every time Partizan closed in, Nigel Hayes-Davis answered with another shot, and Panathinaikos went to the break up seven (35-28).
The third quarter decided the game, and Panathinaikos won it 20-8. After the break, the visitors went on an 11-0 run and the gap grew to 21 points at one stage. The quarter also ended with a technical foul on Francisco, who was penalized for gestures after a missed three at the buzzer. Partizan opened the final quarter with a 5-0 run and won it 19-17, but by then it was too late.
The biggest problem was three-point shooting: 4 made out of 26 attempts, about 15 percent. In the previous round in Madrid it was 3 of 20, which means the black-and-whites made 7 of 46 over two games. Sport Klub reports that early in the last quarter they had a chance to cut the deficit to 11, but missed three open threes in a row within a few seconds.
Partizan scorers:
- Kevarrius Hayes: 10 points
- Tonye Jekiri: 9 points and 7 rebounds
- Carlik Jones: 8 points
- Lamar Stevens: 8 points and 6 rebounds
- Vildoza: 5 points, Pajola: 4 points
For Panathinaikos, Hayes-Davis scored 14 points, Juancho Hernangomez 10, Badio 9, and Francisco 8 with 5 assists. Lessort added 4 points and 9 rebounds. The game was officiated by Emilio Perez, Manuel Attard and Gentian Cici.
The standings after five rounds: Panathinaikos is the only team at 5-0, while Partizan is 3-2, with wins over Armani, Paris and Bayern and two straight losses, to Real and Panathinaikos.
What does Penarroja say ahead of Fenerbahce?
Partizan coach Joan Penarroja spoke about shooting before the trip to Istanbul.
“It is clear that we had poor percentages in the last two games, especially from three.”
On Thursday’s opponent he said: “I expect another very tough game, they are one of the best teams in the EuroLeague, a Final Four candidate.” Fenerbahce beat Zalgiris 99-80 ahead of that game.
There were questions about the roster as well. “Lamar has stomach problems and is in doubt for the trip,” Penarroja said of Stevens. Asked about reinforcements, he answered briefly: “I have no news, it is not a question for me.”
Partizan plays Thursday at 7:45 p.m. in Istanbul against Fenerbahce. It is the third game in a row against a strong opponent.
