Partizan kept calling
“Partizan kept calling. It was a big deal for me. It wasn’t just that they wanted me in September because they needed a center, but they also wanted me in December. The head coach really wanted me, and he saw something in me. And you know how a coach like Zeljko Obradovic can change careers and lives of players.
When we sat down to talk, I realized what was being offered to me, and I wanted to play for Obradovic and those crazy fans in Belgrade. We had a good team with Punter and LeDay, and I thought there was no chance we wouldn’t win the EuroCup and qualify for the EuroLeague…“
Partizan’s fans understand defeat
Mathias Lessort had a great connection with the Partizan fans. And he still does.
“It all went step by step. It started at the Cup game we lost against Crvena Zvezda. You know, that’s the only derby where fans of both clubs are present. The arena is divided 50/50, it’s played in Nis, in a small hall with a lot of police and security. It’s a big deal for the club and the fans because if you win, you celebrate in front of their audience. That’s a big deal for Serbs. But, Crvena Zvezda beat us, we lost by 20 points.
Then I turned around and saw the captain crying, the coach crying, and I realized how important it was for the people. I used to play for Crvena Zvezda, I lost in the Cup, and I saw that it wasn’t the same emotion. Then we greeted the fans and went to the locker room. But when I lost with Partizan, our fans stayed in the stands for half an hour and sang to us. They were crying and singing. Even though they were hurt, they supported us.
Most fans boo you in such situations, they tell you that you don’t respect the jersey, that you’re not fighting… But Partizan’s fans are not like that. They understand defeat, they understand you, and they stand by you. That’s why I fell in love with them. That’s when we clicked, and I realized that I couldn’t let these people down. They give you everything and support you unconditionally.”