Kevin Punter shared his expectations in an interview with “Sport Klub” ahead of the EuroLeague season opener against Maccabi in Tel Aviv.
The captain of Partizan made the biggest leap in his career last season. Because of this, he was the target of many European clubs, but he decided to stay in the black and white jersey. Now, he and the rest of the team face an even greater challenge. Their ambitions, which are not hidden, are reflected in aiming to go further than the competitive year behind us.
The black and white team faces a challenging away game against Maccabi, who only suffered two losses on their home court last season (against Red Star and Barcelona). Kevin Punter sees an advantage in this:
“We have to play against them anyway, so maybe it’s even better that we play the first game right away. There will definitely be a lot of energy and enthusiasm on their side, but you have to open the EuroLeague against someone.“
Wade Baldwin will miss this game due to an injury. He and Partizan’s captain spent some time together at Olympiacos, and Kevin Punter commented on it:
“We didn’t play together much, but I know he has fantastic physical attributes. He’s like the European Russell Westbrook. In my opinion, he might shoot threes a bit too often, given his athleticism, he could drive more. I know his tendencies, and he’s a very high-quality player. Maccabi is an extremely good team even without him.
They are a team that will compete for the Final Four, and it will be very tough. We also have a few injured players, and it won’t be easy. We have a plan, of course; we just need to stay focused and execute it on the court.“
Difficult away games
“Things these make me even more focused and concentrated. We feel great overall, and we can’t wait for the season to start. I have advice for new players, but I haven’t told them yet. They need to listen to the coach and not pay attention to the stands because it will be intense. I have a good feeling about this match.
Communication, team spirit, and concentration. Those are the three key things for a successful season. We have to demonstrate that for the entire 40 minutes of every game. We can’t allow the noise from the stands or any changes in their defense to shake us,” concluded Kevin Punter.
Basketball Sphere presents the EuroLeague podcast: “Nebeska Udica” (Heavenly Hook).
If you love the EuroLeague, then this is the right podcast for you! In collaboration with our website, on the YouTube channel “Nebeska Udica,” you can watch two EuroLeague podcasts every week: the round preview and the round analysis.
In the round preview, the topic covers all nine EuroLeague games, with predictions and “sure bets” for betting. When it comes to the round analysis, you can see from a professional perspective what Crvena Zvezda and Partizan have done, along with some standard segments such as the topic of the week, quote of the week, fantasy suggestions, and more. Additionally, you can participate in competitions and have a chance to win a EuroLeague basketball and a coaching clipboard.