Dubai Basketball end historic first season with knockout in Belgrade
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
The team officially set out on their journey in the Adriatic League in September, competing against some of the most prolific sides in Europe. From beating reigning champions Red Star in their opening game to being one of the only teams in the league to beat Partizan twice at their home court, the 2024-25 season was packed with milestones.
The third and final game of the semifinals took place on Sunday night at Belgrade Arena, the home of Partizan, with Dubai determined to capitalize on squaring the series in the previous game.
Dubai opened the game with intensity, taking an early lead as Davis Bertans, Klemen Prepelic, and Nate Mason each sank three-pointers within the first four minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had stormed ahead with a commanding nine-point lead.
However, the momentum began to shift in the second quarter. With the backing of a packed home crowd, Partizan tightened their defence and gradually closed the gap, reducing Dubai's lead to just a single point by the end of the third quarter.
As the game progressed into the third and fourth quarters, Partizan demonstrated why they are seven-time ABA League champions. Although they surged ahead, Dubai refused to go down without a fight, repeatedly equalising the score and keeping the contest wide open.
In the final quarter, Partizan pulled away, scoring an impressive 28 points that widened the gap to 17 and ultimately secured their place in the finals. Dubai, however, walked away with their heads held high, having challenged one of Europe's top basketball teams to the very end.
Reflecting on the season, Dubai Basketball's head coach, Jurica Golemac, said: 'We must be satisfied. This was our first season, with 13 new players in total. We were fortunate to have selected not only top-quality athletes but also exceptional people who made this journey smoother.
'Throughout the season, we played good basketball. We claimed major wins — including victories over some of the league's giants — and today, we pushed Partizan into a serious battle for a place in the finals. Plans for the future are already underway. In fact, they've been in motion throughout the season. Analysis, planning — it all continues.
'As they say, the off-season begins tomorrow, and so does our preparation for what comes next.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Dubai International Airport sets H1 passenger record with 46m travelers
RIYADH: Dubai International Airport handled 46 million passengers in the first half of 2025, marking its busiest six-month period on record despite regional airspace disruptions and global headwinds. In a press release, operator Dubai Airports said the 2.3 percent year-on-year increase underscores the continued strength of the emirate's aviation sector and the terminal's operational resilience. The growth came despite temporary airspace restrictions in May and June, which forced several Gulf carriers to reroute flights and adjust schedules due to heightened military activity and no-fly zone declarations in parts of the Middle East. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: 'DXB's continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community.' In the second quarter alone, the airport handled 22.5 million passengers, a 3.1 percent increase over the same period last year. April was the busiest month of the quarter and the most active April on record, with 8 million travelers. Average monthly traffic during the first half stood at 7.7 million passengers, with daily volumes averaging 254,000. January was the busiest month, setting a new monthly record with 8.5 million passengers. In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million guests, an increase of 3.1% over the same period last year. April emerged as the busiest month of the quarter and the most active April on record, with 8 million guests passing through the terminals. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 29, 2025 DXB also handled 222,000 flights and processed 41.8 million bags in the first half, with 91 percent delivered within 45 minutes of arrival. The mishandled baggage rate stood at 2 bags per 1,000 passengers, well below the industry average of 6.3, the release added. 'As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business,' said Griffiths. He said the Dubai Airshow 2025 will be a standout event, poised to break previous records and highlight the bold vision driving the future of aviation and aerospace. 'Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone,' added Griffiths. India remained DXB's top market in the first half of the year, with 5.9 million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million. The UK accounted for 3 million passengers, while Pakistan and the US recorded 2.1 million and 1.6 million, respectively. London was the busiest city destination with 1.8 million passengers, followed by Riyadh, Mumbai, Jeddah, New Delhi, and Istanbul. DXB also processed more than 1 million tonnes of cargo during the first half of 2025, a 0.1 percent increase compared with the same period last year. The airport is connected to more than 269 destinations in over 107 countries and is served by 92 international carriers.
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan PM grants Rs5 million cheque for MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind after payment controversy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted a cheque for Rs5 million [$17,655] for Pakistani mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Shahzaib Rind on Tuesday, the premier's office said days after the athlete criticized the government for not fulfilling its commitment of providing him monetary reward and support. Rind took to social media platform X on July 23 to say that Sharif had promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support the athlete's training camp and upcoming fights last year. In a video message, the MMA fighter had said Sharif promised him the rewards after he beat Indian fighter Rana Singh at the Karate Combat 45 competition in Dubai last year. However, the Pakistani fighter said the government did not fulfill its promise to him. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar apologized to Rind on Twitter last week, promising him that the prime minister would resolve the issue soon. Sharif met Rind's father Khair Muhammad at the Prime Minister's House on Tuesday during which he presented the cheque to him, Sharif's office said. 'During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his best wishes for Shahzaib Rind in his upcoming competitions,' the statement said. Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Dubai Airport logs record 46mln passengers in first half of 2025
Dubai International Airport welcomed a record 46 million passengers in the first half of this year, authorities said on Tuesday, despite disruptions due to the Iran-Israel conflict. The facility marked its busiest first half on record with a 2.3 percent year-on-year growth, Dubai Airports said in a statement, 'despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June.' During the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, airlines cancelled flights to many Middle East destinations as some governments closed their airspace. In the first six months of 2025, the average monthly traffic stood at around 7.7 million passengers or 254,000 daily travelers. 'Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone,' said Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths. In 2024, Dubai International Airport recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in history, totaling 92.3 million. 'January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests,' said the statement. 'As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate,' it added. The top countries for passenger traffic to and from Dubai were India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. The Emirati city, located between Asia, Europe and Africa, has been ranked the world's busiest air hub for international passengers for a decade. Dubai is planning a $35 billion expansion and relocation of the airport to Al Maktoum International, on the city's outskirts, in 2032. The new airport will be scaled up in phases, with an eventual capacity of about 240 million -- expected to be the world's largest by a wide margin.
