Crvena zvezda was defeated in the Magenta Cup final. Bayern Munich came out on top against the red and whites with a score of 84:82.
Crvena zvezda entered this duel without Shabazz Napier, while it was already known that Stefan Lazarevic, Mike Tobey, and Dejan Davidovac stayed in Belgrade. On the other hand, Pablo Laso’s team was missing Isaac Bonga, Freddie Gillespie, and Vladimir Lucic for this match.
Crvena zvezda started the game in good form. Their defense neutralized Bayern’s fast guards, while on the other end, Dusko Ivanovic’s team capitalized on their advantage in the paint. After the first 10 minutes, the score was 25:17 in favor of Crvena zvezda.
The red and whites continued with the same formula in the second half, and Milos Teodosic, with 6 assists in this period, orchestrated the Belgrade team’s offense in his unique style. Crvena zvezda’s play looked fluid, and the newcomers in the team showed that they have a lot to offer. They won the second quarter as well and went into halftime with an 11-point lead (46:35).
Just a normal day at the office for @MilosTeodosic4 ππͺ#kkcz #WeAreTheTeam pic.twitter.com/p2MiqhmE3E
— KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) September 17, 2023
The third quarter was the first one that Pablo Laso’s team won (20:14). However, Crvena zvezda quickly regained a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and entered the last five minutes with an 11-point advantage. The home team then went on an 11-3 run, led by Sylvain Francisco as the main protagonist. Later, 41-year-old Tremmell Darden joined him, hitting three-pointers to bring Bayern within just one point.
TeodosiΔ managed to make a three-pointer to put Crvena zvezda up by 4, but it was swiftly answered on the other end. Crvena zvezda’s veteran tried once more to extend the guests’ lead from beyond the arc, but this time he missed, and Dino Radoncic capitalized on it, giving Bayern their first lead in the game with less than a minute left (81:80). Marko Simonovic had a clear chance to put Crvena zvezda back in the lead, but he missed, and Carsen Edwards punished them with a three-pointer on the other end to make it +4 for the home team.
Crvena zvezda had one more chance for the title in Munich, but Teodosic’s three-pointer hit the other rim with the score at 84:82.