Zeljko Obradovic addressed the media after Partizan defeated Igokea in the semifinals of the ABA Super Cup.
The black-and-whites secured their spot in the finals of the regional Super Cup with a victory over the team led by coach Vladimir Jovanovic. The final score at the end of the game was 91-84. In the other semifinal, Buducnost will face Studentski centar.
This is an opportunity for them to win their second trophy in the preseason for the upcoming season. Partizan had previously participated in an international tournament in Banja Luka to celebrate Igokea’s 50th anniversary. They won the final match against CSKA Moscow there, and before coming to Podgorica, they played a friendly game against Fuenlabrada on the open court of the Tasmajdan stadium.
Fudbalska atmosfera na Tašmajdanu! pic.twitter.com/4NcSr23Au5
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“We had a morning training session as preparation for this game. We explained to the players all the qualities that Igokea has as a team. I am extremely pleased with the first half; we played fluidly, smartly in defense and offense. We looked excellent. The third quarter being even has some logic, but I won’t waste words on the last period. That’s something we’ll discuss in a meeting and during practice,” said Zeljko Obradovic.
“Igokea plays smart; they have a basic idea of how to play. But I repeat once again, we deserved to win and enter the final. Congratulations to the players for that. We will try to prepare for tomorrow, no matter who our opponent is in the final.”
Regarding Aleksa Avramovic’s injury, Obradovic explained, “I told you he had an injury; his ankle is swollen. He did some weightlifting and this morning’s tactical training. He felt good and said he could play. He played extremely fairly during his time on the court.”
“Super Cup is a competition where you play day after day. Of course, we consider the players’ minutes, and today we used 11 players in the first half. The team is satisfied; the second half was just going through the motions, we played how we played, and it’s totally irrelevant,” concluded Zeljko Obradovic.