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The National
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Dubai Basketball's dream debut season continues after ABA play-off win over Cedevita Olimpija
Dubai Basketball kept alive their dream of going all the way in the ABA League by booking a spot in the play-off semi-finals with a superb win over Cedevita Olimpija at the Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday. Meeting the Slovenians in the rubber match of their best of three series, Dubai were clear and deserved winners as they held the lead throughout the match before finalising a 85-76 triumph. Making their debut in the ABA League, Dubai will next meet Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade, who swept aside Spartak Office Shoes 2-0 in their quarter-final. Game 1 of the semi-final series will be in Belgrade on May 26, ahead of a return in Dubai on May 29. In the other semi-final, Serbian side Crvena Zvezda and Montenegro's Buducnost VOLI clash after overcoming BC Igokea and KK Mega, respectively. The Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac felt 'really proud' and congratulated his players for their accomplishment on the night. 'We've worked for this. We didn't perform well in Slovenia [in Game 2]. We watched the tape and knew that wasn't us. We analysed and had two good practices leading up to today, with a lot of faith in each other – which is crucial when playing together,' the Slovenian said. 'Today we missed 12 free throws and hit only seven threes, but defensively everyone was on their feet, helping each other and fighting for all 40 minutes. 'Congratulations again to the players. I also want to thank the fans – they were our sixth player. Whenever we felt a bit tired, they lifted us up. 'Congratulations to Olympiacos on a great series. We knew they were our toughest quarter-final matchup, but we didn't shy away; we wanted to prove we were the better team. 'Now it's Partizan – we've already played them twice. They're favourites, having been the favourites in this quarter-final, but now it's Partizan's turn. We're confident we can compete with them and will do everything to reach the finals.' Awudu Abass dazzled with 17 points and six rebounds while Nate Mason (18) and Dubai's NBA veteran Davis Bertans (12) chipped in with useful contributions in the win. 'It was a good game,' Abass said. 'Ljubljana was our toughest matchup because they beat us at home – one of the few teams to win here in Dubai. 'So they know how to play well here. But today, we really controlled the game. We fought for each other, we shared the ball – something we didn't do in the last games. 'I'm very proud of my teammates because, at the end of the day, we've been working since August for these moments. This was a great game for us.' The Olimpija head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic, acknowledged Dubai were deserved semi-finalists. 'This was a very interesting series – three games. In the end, it was our worst game,' he said. 'Maybe we struggled because of the roster and the players available. In the second half, we were without one of our best players – Devin Robinson – who was out with an injury. But definitely, Dubai deserved to go to the semi-finals.'
New York Times
07-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Wolves' Craig Dawson in talks with club over possible contract termination
Wolves defender Craig Dawson is in talks with the club about a possible termination of his contract after head coach Vitor Pereira told the veteran he does not figure in his plans. Pereira confirmed in today's pre-match press conference that he will be unable to find room for Dawson, 34, in his future matchday squads after Wolves signed Burkina Faso international centre-back Nasser Djiga on transfer deadline day. Advertisement Djiga's arrival from Crvena Zvezda in Serbia leaves Dawson as Wolves' sixth-choice central defender behind another January arrival, Emmanuel Agbadou, Matt Doherty, Toti, Djiga and Santiago Bueno in the fight for places in Pereira's favoured back three. Dawson's options are now limited. Because he was registered with Wolves when the window closed on Monday, he would be unable to sign for another English club until the summer window opens even if his contract is 'paid up'. He could still sign for a club in a country where the window remains open, such as Turkey or the United States, or simply leave Wolves and begin exploring his options for the summer. Pereira said: 'I gave the information in advance to the club that if we brought in another centre back I would not have space for Craig in the squad. 'This is something that I spoke with the club about for a long time. I had a conversation with the player, and I respect the player a lot. I respect his career. 'But his profile is not the profile that I'm looking for to build the play that I want to build. 'It's just about profile. I spoke with the player and I explained the reasons and it is now something that the club must solve. 'I think he listened to me and as a coach I need to be honest with the players. I need to say what I think because for a player with his career, to be here without playing, just training, it's not a good situation. 'It is an issue that he must solve between him and the club.' Dawson signed for Wolves in January 2023 and played a major part in helping Julen Lopetegui keep them in the Premier League before becoming a regular starter for Lopetegui's successor, Gary O'Neil. He has made 57 Premier League appearances for Wolves but has made just one start for Pereira in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham in December, making two further appearances as a late substitute. Advertisement Meanwhile, Pereira has confirmed that Austria striker Sasa Kalajdzic will be left out of Wolves' 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the season as he continues to recover from the third anterior cruciate ligament rupture of his career. The signings of Djiga, Agbadou and Marshall Munetsi in the January window has left Wolves with one too many non-homegrown players to be accommodated in the squad. The club started the season with their maximum quota but offloaded Mario Lemina to Galatasaray this week. Wolves have also removed Yerson Mosquera, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury. While Kalajdzic could be available to play before the end of the campaign, it was thought unlikely that he would be ready in time to play a significant role. 'Sasa has had a serious injury,' said Pereira. 'I cannot put pressure on because I think at this moment of his career, he needs to recover totally from the injury. 'I think he needs to have the time, the proper time, to recover step by step, not push, because if he has another problem it will be a disaster for his career. 'I must respect the information of the medical department. I cannot push a player to play if he has a problem and if the future of the player is on the table.' GO DEEPER What Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga will bring to Wolves (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
