Dubai Basketball loses out to dominant Partizan in Belgrade
A dominant performance by ABA League's most decorated teams, Partizan Mozzart Bet, saw Dubai Basketball fall short in their first-ever semi-final appearance.
The Serbian giants secured a 102:72 win on Monday night at a packed Štark Arena in Belgrade.
Dubai opened the game with early momentum as Davis Bertans struck first with a clean 2-point layup. But 7-time ABA League title winners, Partizan were quick to equalise the score and propel the team to an 8-point difference in the first quarter.
The home side showcased why Belgrade is regarded as one of the most formidable venues in European basketball. Partizan's Sterling Brown cemented his place against Dubai with a 21-point contribution. Combined with the Serbian teams' 53 per cent 3-point success rate and 35 field goals, Game 1 of the semi-finals was handed to Partizan.
Despite the scoreline, Dubai Basketball's debut season continues to impress. In just their first ABA League campaign, the team has reached the semi-finals – a historic milestone for a debutant club. Dubai remains the only new club to have recorded a win against Partizan in their inaugural season.
'The better team won today,' says Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac. 'We lost possession too easily and committed too many turnovers to stay competitive at this level. But this team has character, and we've already proven we can compete with the best – including a win over Partizan at home. We'll go back, analyse the game, regroup, and come out stronger.
'We need our fans more than ever. Their energy and support at Coca-Cola Arena can make a real difference. We're proud of how far we've come, but we're not done yet – and we want to take this journey forward with the whole city behind us.'
The stage is set for a defining night at Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday, May 29.
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