Latest news with #JuricaGolemac
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Dubai Basketball take ABA League semi-final against Partizan to decider following OT win
Dubai Basketball kept their hopes of reaching the ABA League Finals alive with a dramatic 100-95 overtime victory against Partizan on Thursday to take the best-of-three semi-final down to a decider on Sunday. Partizan led by six points with five minutes left and by four with 90 seconds remaining of regulation time. But after Carlik Jones missed a potential game-winner, Dubai clawed their way back to force the game into overtime. Klemen Prepelic, who led from the front with a game-high 30 points, nailed a free throw in OT as Dubai held on to take the series back to Belgrade. An ecstatic Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac said: "I'm very proud. We didn't surrender, we didn't give up. We didn't want the season to end, and you could see that in the players – in their emotions and in their eyes. 'We played against an unbelievable opponent, a very good team. But the job is not done. We've got one more game to play. We need to rest, analyse, and move forward." It was Dubai's second victory over Partizan at the Coca-Cola Arena having also beaten the Serbian team in Round 23 of the regular season. Golemac acknowledged the part the home fans played. 'Last but not least, the fans were unbelievable today – like every game – but tonight it felt like 10,000 people were inside, breathing and playing the game with us. I truly felt that they wanted to succeed just as much as we did.' The game was a rollercoaster from the start. Partizan led in the opening minutes but it was the home side that finished the first quarter strong, taking a 29–23 lead after an excellent three-point shooting, hitting six of their first 10 attempts. Prepelic led from the front with Nate Mason each contributing two triples in the early surge. Despite struggling from deep, Partizan stayed competitive behind the efforts of Duane Washington and especially Frank Ntilikina, who hit three three-pointers without a miss in the second quarter. However, Dubai hung on to a 50–47 lead at half time with Davis Bertans sinking three threes, including one at the buzzer. Prepelic delivered a sterling performance, emerging as a constant offensive threat and one of the key reasons Dubai were able to even the series. The captain hit five shots from three, pulled down three rebounds and got two steals. 'In Game 1, we came in empty,' Golemac reflected on Monday's 102-72 defeat. 'The third game of the quarter-finals [ against Cedevita Olimpija ] was a must-win, and after we won it, we had a let-down [Partizan]. 'We came into the first game with confidence, but we weren't ready – for the fight or for the battle. 'We gave Partizan too much space. We lacked aggressiveness and the energy we showed today. When Partizan gets hot, you can't stop them – they were scoring from all positions. 'We watched the video and analysed it. The good thing about the play-offs is you get another chance. We got ours at home, and in the end, it doesn't matter by how much you wini – t only matters that you put a point on the board and get the win.' Golemac's men will have a massive task when they face seven-time ABA champions Partizan in front of their home crowd at Stark Arena. 'That's great. It's unbelievable. We deserve to play in a full gym, with great fans, against one of the best teams in Europe – for the finals,' Golemac added. 'All season long, our players have approached every game with the right mindset. I'm very proud of how they refuse to surrender. Playing in that kind of atmosphere is a reward for us. 'Motivation will be higher. They'll be under pressure, but we're going there to play the best game of our season.' Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic said the defeat felt like a lost opportunity but insists his side will be better prepared for the decider in Belgrade. 'We won by 30 points in the last game. This one was very tight. It's obvious they played much better today,' he said. 'We knew they would try to be aggressive here, and they were. In the first half, they scored a lot of three-point shots. In the second half, we tried to cover that, but there were situations where we committed fouls. 'They have great shooters, and they showed that tonight. That was the first difference. If you want to play well against Dubai, you need to defend their three-point shots very well.'
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Dubai Basketball lose to dominant Partizan in Belgrade
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport DUBAI: A dominant performance by one of the ABA League's most decorated teams, Partizan Mozzart Bet, saw Dubai Basketball fall short in their first-ever semifinal appearance when the Serbian giants secured a 102-72 win on Monday night. Dubai started the game well at a packed Stark Arena in Belgrade, with Davis Bertans striking first with a clean two-point layup. But seven-time ABA League title winners Partizan were quick to equalize before propelling the team to an eight-point difference in the first quarter. The home side demonstrated 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 and, combined with the Serbian team's 53 percent three-point success rate and 35 field goals, the first semifinal leg went their way. Despite the scoreline, Dubai Basketball's debut season continues to impress. In just their first ABA League campaign, they have reached the semifinals — a historic milestone for a debutant club. Dubai also remains the only club to record a win against Partizan in their inaugural season. 'The better team won today,' said 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, analyze the game, regroup, and come out stronger.' He added: '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 an exciting second leg at Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday, May 29.
The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Dubai Basketball coach urges fans to show up in force for must-win Partizan match
Dubai Basketball need a much-improved performance when they face Partizan at home on Thursday after being soundly beaten 102-72 in the first of their best-of-three play-off semi-final on Monday. Sterling Brown scored a game-leading 21 points while Duane Washington chipped in with 19 points to the Partizan cause. Davis Bertans top-scored for Dubai with 17. Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac conceded seven-time ABA League champions Partizan deserved their victory in Belgrade, and urged home fans to show up in force for Game 2 at Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday. 'The better team won today,' Golmac said. '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." Dubai are the only team to have beaten Partizan in their debut season, seeing off the Serbian club 80-72 in Round 23. The nascent franchise booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Cedevita Olimpija. 'We need our fans more than ever," Golemac added. "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 Serbian side took control of the game from the outset, showing why the Stark Arena is one of the most intimidating venues in European basketball. Partizan took advantage of Dubai's dysfunction to lead 28-20 in the first quarter. They were 53-33 up at the halfway mark and were never really troubled. In the other semi-final play-off, Buducnost Voli of Montenegro outclassed Serbia's Crvena Zvezda 104-70.
Emirates 24/7
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Basketball secure ABA League Semi-Finals spot for first time
Dubai Basketball have secured a historic place in the ABA League Semi-Finals after a dominant 85:76 win over Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija in Game 3 of the Quarter-Finals at Coca-Cola Arena. Dubai's home team, in just their first year of competing in the league, will now face Serbian giants Partizan in a best-of-three Semi-Finals series beginning on 26th May in Belgrade before heading to Dubai for the second leg on Thursday, 29th May. Dubai Basketball's consistency and composure were reflected in the numbers. Shooting an impressive 48.2 percent from the field compared to Olimpija's 40 percent, the home side made every possession count, exploiting gaps in the Slovenian defence and converting under pressure. Coach Jurica Golemac praised the team's mental preparation and energy on the court, "Credit to Cedevita Olimpija for a great series. We knew this was going to be our toughest Quarter-Final matchup, but we didn't shy away from the challenge. We came out to prove we were the better team - and we did just that.' Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Dubai Basketball make history with semis berth on ABA League debut
22 May 2025 01:33 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The history-making Dubai Basketball team extended their giant-killing run by winning the decider against Cedevita Olimpija in Game 3 of their quarter-final in the ABA League on Tuesday third in the regulation league and going up against the sixth-placed rivals from Slovenia, Dubai Basketball booked a spot among the last four on home turf with a dominant 85-76 victory at the Coca-Cola their debut year of competing in the league, Dubai Basketball have now set up a clash with Serbian giants Partizan in a best-of-three semi-final series, beginning on May 26 in Belgrade before heading to Dubai for the second leg on May Basketball got home advantage by virtue of finishing ahead of their opponents but only managed a narrow one-point victory and against the formidable showing in the league. That was followed by a 89-94 defeat to send the heart of UAE fans skipping a what was their most decisive game of the season yet, Dubai then came out firing from tip-off, controlling the tempo and momentum from the first whistle. Closing the first quarter eight points ahead they never looked breakthrough came in the early minutes of the second quarter. With disciplined defence and swift ball movement, Dubai surged to an 11-point lead with only half of the second quarter to play – marking the game's turning point. Cedevita Olimpija struggled to recover from the early deficit, unable to regain control or close the gap for the remainder of the the charge was Nate Mason, once again proving himself as the team's top scorer for the night. The point guard delivered a masterclass performance, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists. His control across the night and leadership on-court saw him adjudged Man of the Basketball's consistency and composure were reflected in the numbers. Shooting an impressive 48.2% from the field compared to Olimpija's 40%, the home side made every possession count, exploiting gaps in the Slovenian defence and converting under Jurica Golemac praised the team's mental preparation and energy on the court. 'Credit to Cedevita Olimpija for a great series. We knew this was going to be our toughest matchup, but we didn't shy away from the challenge. We came out to prove we were the better team – and we did just that.' 'We fought for 40 minutes, stayed on our feet, and supported one another throughout. I want to thank the fans – tonight, they were our sixth player. Every time we started to feel the fatigue, they gave us that extra push.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
