A classic matchup in European club competitions has returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, and in Round 32 on Friday, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade hosts Real Madrid in a critical showdown for both teams. 

Partizan vs. Real Madrid: Two giants clash on Friday

A classic matchup in European club competitions has returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, and in Round 32 on Friday, [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade hosts Real Madrid in a critical showdown for both teams](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2022/288/). 

Partizan can qualify for the playoffs with a victory on Friday if either Zalgiris Kaunas or Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz lose. Real Madrid already qualified to the playoffs and clinched the home-court advantage, but is aiming best position possible to make the most out of that advantage against a lower-ranked squad. 

Their rivalry goes back to the 1970s. They first met on December 20, 1979, Real downed Partizan 110-83 behind 30 points from Walter Szczerbiak. When they met next in Belgrade, Real prevailed again, 87-100, with 28 points from Wayne Brabender. 

Indeed, over almost three decades after that, Real won its first 12 games against Partizan, which had to wait until October 29, 2008 to claim its first victory in the series. Partizan beat Los Blancos 81-77 as Aleksandar Rasic led the way with 18 points. Real will be making its first visit to Belgrade to play Partizan since 2014 and holds an 8-2 record against the hosts in the Serbian capital.

Of course, Real Madrid has fond memories of Stark Arena, the building where its 10th EuroLeague trophy was lifted back in 2018. In that championship game, Real topped Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul 85-80 behind 17 points from Fabien Causeur. Luka Doncic was voted the 2018 Final Four MVP. Current Real players Causeur, Anthony Randolph, Rudy Fernandez, Walter Tavares and Sergio Llull won the 2018 EuroLeague title in Belgrade. Randolph and Llull won't play Friday due to injury, however. Last season, Real played the EuroLeague Championship Game in Belgrade again, but lost by the minimum this time, 59-60 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

In the team's first return to Stark Arena since last season's title game, Real will challenge an old friend, Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic, arguably the biggest legend linked to both clubs. Coach Obradovic led Partizan to the EuroLeague title in 1992 and did the same with Real in 1995, among other highlights. When Real won the title at Stark Arena in 2018, Obradovic was on the other bench, coaching then-defending champion Fenerbahce Istanbul.

As for players, two European basketball legends, Drazen Dalipagic and Sasa Djordjevic, played for Partizan and Real in the past. Since the turn of the millenium, just three players have worn both teams' jerseys in the EuroLeague: Blagota Sekulic, Novica Velickovic and Tristan Vukcevic, who is currently with Partizan. Velickovic was chosen as the 2008-09 EuroLeague Rising Star playing for Partizan and helped Real reach the 2011 Final Four.

Earlier this season, Real had to battle hard to beat Partizan 105-97 in Round 10. Both teams combined for 72 points in the first quarter, 32-40, and Real took off after that. Llull led the winners with 20 points, Tavares added 17 while Mario Hezonja and Gabriel Deck each had 15. Zach LeDay led Partizan with 20 points. 

Tonight offers an opportunity to see arguably the two most dominant big men in the competition, Tavares and Mathias Lessort of Partizan, go head-to-head. Of course, there are many other high-profile matchups, along with another sellout crowd at Stark Arena ready to create another second-to-none basketball atmosphere. Expect yet another great game in the Serbian capital from two giants of the global game.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2023-03-31T18:30:00.000Z)

During a recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey, Euroleague Basketball CEO Marshall Glickman sat down with SSport journalist Deniz Aksoy to talk about topics such as Final Four cities, the organization's current conversations with FIBA, and the central importance of the players to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Marshall Glickman, Euroleague Basketball CEO, interview: 'Embrace is what makes us different'

[WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJQ-XHgLAhk)

During a recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey, [Euroleague Basketball CEO Marshall Glickman sat down with SSport journalist Deniz Aksoy to talk about topics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJQ-XHgLAhk) such as Final Four cities, the organization's current conversations with FIBA, and the central importance of the players to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Glickman, who took over the CEO role at the beginning of the current season after two decades as a consultant to Euroleague Basketball, has spent a lot of time lately traveling to meet stakeholders around the continent.

"I spent a lot of time on this side of the Atlantic and I have learned to appreciate the multiculturalism," he told Ms. Aksoy. "So what I try to embrace is what makes us different, which is every game matters, which is the cultural diversity that we have."

Another thing that Glickman has come to recognize is the intracacies of the European game and how that makes the shot-making in the EuroLeague as exciting as anywhere.

"It's a beautiful thing to watch when players are able to execute offense and get an easy shot by being smart about their movement and how they do their cuts," he said.

As CEO, Glickman made it clear that one of his main goals is to improve the Euroleague Basketball economy to benefit teams, players and other stakeholders while investing in the product for the good of the fans.

"The reason I'm trying to grow the economy of the league is so we have more resources to work with so we can improve," he said. "It's about improving conditions for people and making this a more fulfilling, experience for everybody."

Essential to that effort are the players, he said, who besides being the protagonists of the game are also partners in the business.

"The players are our core," he emphasized. "The players are, everything to me. I care that they are partners and I want the players to understand this is a partnership."

Marshall Glickman, Euroleague Basketball CEO, interview: 'Embrace what makes us different'

Barely a month ago, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv looked unlikely to challenge for a postseason berth in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague but a run of six successive wins propelled the Israeli powerhouse to a 19-13 record with two regular season games remaining. 

Maccabi rolled again with Sorkin at center stage

Barely a month ago, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv looked unlikely to challenge for a postseason berth in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague but a run of six successive wins propelled the Israeli powerhouse to a 19-13 record with two regular season games remaining. 

Maccabi is almost assured of a playoff spot after a pair of resounding victories against Italian rivals this week, having thumped Virtus Segafredo Bologna 111-80 on Tuesday before [Thursday’s 85-66 rout of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2022/281/).

With Wade Baldwin shining against Virtus and Lorenzo Brown playing the main role versus Milan, forward Roman Sorkin emerged as the unsung hero of both victories after a pair of majestic performances.

Well, not entirely unsung, as he drew heaps of praise from his teammates, none more so than from fellow forward Jake Cohen. 

"[Maccabi fans] are the best fans in the EuroLeague and probably the world."

"He had a 3-minute stretch in the second quarter when he was just carrying us," Cohen told reporters as Maccabi’s players rejoiced in the locker room, having been given a standing ovation by their passionate fans after seeing off Milan. 

"He’s been terrific and he deserves all the accolades he got tonight. 

Those were really good big guys he played against tonight – Kyle Hines, Brandon Davies, that’s a really tough front line, among the best in Europe. He’s really improved and it’s great being his teammate, it’s a lot of fun seeing him succeed," Cohen added.

Sorkin, who averages 7.3 points per game, scored 13 against Virtus on

5-of-7 shooting from the floor and then elevated his game to sink 18 points against Milan, 16 of them in a rampant first half when Maccabi raced into a 53-36 lead.

Sorkin shot 8 of 9 from the floor and ran Milan’s defense ragged with intelligent movement all around the opposition half, which made it easy for his teammates to create open shots for the big man.

One of the unlikeliest men to steal the show from the likes of Brown and Baldwin, Sorkin was as humble as ever after the game and his assessment personified his selfless approach on the court.

"Our defense was a big part of this game," he said. "They got close to us in the third quarter, but we had a game plan. My teammates found me in the right spots so I didn’t have to do too much by myself. All the credit goes to them."

Roman Sorkin (18 points) Highlights vs. AX Armani Exchange Milan, 03/30/2023

Roman Sorkin shined with 18 points against Milan

Sorkin personifies an unbreakable team spirit and unselfish mindset which Maccabi is famous for, meaning that the team’s deep roster has a variety of players who can step up to the plate on any given night. That trait will be so important if Maccabi reaches the playoffs and it could happen as early as Friday if just one of three results plays into the Israeli side’s hands.

Last but not least, the fervent support Maccabi gets in every home game could also be a telling factor in the club’s bid to go beyond the quarterfinals and reach the May 19-21 Final Four in Kaunas.

"What makes this place so special is the fans," Sorkin said. "They are part of us and give us the energy, they are the best fans in the EuroLeague and probably the world."

As for Milan, their challenge fell short as a late revival could not salvage a season plagued by injuries, a factor its head coach Ettore Messina reflected on at the post-game press conference.

"Our two starting guards played five games together," Messina said. "Shavon Shields has played seven games all season, Gigi Datome four or five. Kevin Pangos was out for a long time, Billy Baron too. Devon Hall out for two and a half months. Things kind of piled up. Then again, we lost four games out of six against the bottom three teams in the standings. But that’s life, that’s competition, sometimes you just don’t have the tools."

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-03-30T18:05:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv cruised to an 85-66 home rout of EA Emporio Armani Milan on the back of a cohesive team effort that saw the hosts flourish in assists and rebounds, the same departments which saw them vanquish Virtus Segafredo Bologna 111-80 earlier this week.

Assists and rebounds epitomized Maccabi’s team spirit

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv cruised to an 85-66 home rout of EA Emporio Armani Milan on the back of a cohesive team effort that saw the hosts flourish in assists and rebounds, the same departments which saw them vanquish Virtus Segafredo Bologna 111-80 earlier this week.

Having produced a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague record of 38 assists against reigning champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Maccabi completed a perfect Italian job as it dished out 21 assists against Milan and contained the visitors to just 13, with the rivals committing 7 turnovers each.

Maccabi also racked up 10 boards more than Milan (37-27) and shot 25 of 36 from two-point territory, while the visiting team made 12 of 23.

Crucially, Maccabi was more resourceful as Roman Sorkin (18 points) turned out to be the trump card, with Lorenzo Brown (17 points, 8 assists) and Wade Baldwin (15 points, 6 assists) doing their part to great effect.

Game Videos

What hurt Milan the most is that four other Maccabi players netted 8 points each, while Shabazz Napier (15 points) and Shavon Shields (14 points, 5 rebounds) cut lonesome figures in Milan’s effort to keep alive its postseason hopes.

The other key players misfired as Nicolo Melli, Billy Baron and Brandon Davies scored 10 points between them, with Milan head coach Ettore Messina offering a realistic assessment of the night’s action.

"In the first half, we didn't have the level of competitiveness that was required," Messina said at the post-game press conference. “Second half, we found our old chemistry and good defense. Two moments decided the game – first when we missed a pair of completely open threes when we were down by 6 and had momentum. The second was when were down by 10 and missed 4 free throws. Maccabi has remarkable athleticism and that can make a lot of difference in the EuroLeague. On top of a good system, they have guards who can create at any moment."

Game News

FC Barcelona cruised to a 72-56 home victory over ALBA Berlin in Round 32 to secure home-court advantage for the playoffs. Its team depth was critical, as new players stepped up in this important game.

Kyle Kuric did not step on the court against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 32. In that game, Nikola Kalinic and Sertac Sanli combined for 6 points in their team's 80-89 road victory. Kuric started against ALBA and scored 5 of his 7 points early in the second half, when Barca struggled to score. 

"Kyle \[Kuric\] showed today that he is ready to get on the court at any time and give a good performance," Barca coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said after the game. "He is practicing well, with a good attitude. It is not easy for a player who doesn't play, but there is no other way. You have to be ready, this is it."

Kyle Kuric, Sertac Sanli and Nikola Kalinic combined for 29 points in FC Barcelona's 72-56 home win against ALBA Berlin in Round 32.

Kuric, Sanli, Kalinic step up in Round 32

Sertac Sanli led Barca with 12 points and Kalinic added 10. Both players combined for 11 rebounds and a PIR of 27. When ALBA got within 43-42, Kalinic and Sanli made the difference. They combined for 17 points in a 19-3 run that broke the game open. Kalinic scored all of his 10 points in that run. Both went from playing a minor role in Round 31 to arguably be the best players on the floor in Round 32 and that, of course, is good news for Barca.

Coach 'Saras' praised Sanli after the game. 

"Sertac knows what the coach asks for and what the systems need. He is always there, very solid. Then the difference for many of you is if he scores the ball or not. Not for us, because our opponents are not silly and will not let him shoot. Lately, the difference is that he is hitting some more shots and everything looks nicer, but basketball is way more than scoring the ball or not," he said. "He gives us different things than Jan \[Vesely\], Mike \[Tobey\] and James \[Nnaji\]. We are very happy with him."

Barca's Kuric, Sanli were ready when needed against ALBA

FC Barcelona v ALBA Berlin (2023-03-30T18:30:00.000Z)

victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna at Sinan Erden Sports Hall on Thursday night. 

Zizic boosted Efes's key runs

Ante Zizic became an unstoppable weapon for Anadolu Efes Istanbul on its way to a 19-point victory over Virtus Segafredo Bologna at Sinan Erden Sports Hall on Thursday night. The Croatian center not only finished as the game's top-scorer with 24 points -tying his career best- in only 17:51, but also provided Efes with the boost it needed in key moments of the game.

Zizic didn’t start, but when he took the floor, he had an immediate impact. He scored his first bucket late in the first period and collected 8 more points in a 13-2 spark early in the second to help Efes amass a double-digit lead for the first time in the game, 26-15. 

He remained under the radar in the third, but showed up again when Virtus threatened to come back to lead a 9-2 run that established a 60-38 entering the last stanza. And finally, when the visitors found Niccolo Mannion and Marco Belinelli on the perimeter, Zizic took over again to score 8 points in a row that definitely put the game to bed, 76-50, with 4 minutes to play.

"Twenty-four \[points\] seems nice, but tonight we did a great team effort. First half, second half, we stuck with the plan, we are on a mission”, he said after the game. "We are trying to win every single game and tonight it just broke out great. I started very good and my teammates and the coaching staff just saw that and they just kept up running plays for me."

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-03-30T17:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona had to battle hard to overcome a halftime deficit and beat ALBA Berlin 72-56 in Round 32. With this victory, Barca secured the home-court advantage for the playoffs.

It was not a good shooting day for Barca, but it managed to protect the paint well. ALBA made just 12 of 36 two-point shots in this game. Its 33.3% two-point shooting percentage was the club's season-low and the fourth-lowest mark in the EuroLeague this season. ALBA made only 5 of 19 two-pointers (26.3% 2FG) after the break. On the other hand, Barca sank 24 of 48 two-pointers (50% 2FG), not great, but more than enough to win the game.

The hosts did a great job at cutting down on turnovers, finishing the game with just 7, which matched a season-low. It previously had 7 turnovers in a 93-74 home victory against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 26. Barca finished the game with 19 assists, which means it dished 2.71 assists per turnover. ALBA had more turnovers (17) than assists (15). Rokas Jokubaitis circulated the ball better than anyone else with 5 assists and no turnovers.

Barca protected the paint, limited mistakes

in the second half, the home team was much better, making 6 threes on only 10 attempts (60%). 

 Efes upped its offensive game in the second half to beat Virtus

Anadolu Efes Istanbul had no room for mistakes coming to the game against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 32. Efes needed to win to keep its chances alive for a ticket to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs and it grabbed it thanks to a major improvement in the second half, mainly offensively.

"We missed a lot of three-point shots in the first half," said head coach Ergin Ataman at halftime. "We need to take shots with more confidence."

And that’s what his team did.

Efes finished the first two periods with a below-average percentage from deep (18.7%), after making just 3 out of 16 attempts. But in the second half, the home team was much better, making 6 threes on only 10 attempts (60%). Its offensive improvement was also confirmed by how it moved the ball, as Efes registered 18 dishes in the last 20 minutes, going for 15-of-18 (83.3%) on two-point shooting. 

"All game we made excellent defense, aggressive defense, and in offense, we shared the ball, we played the running game," Ataman stressed in the press conference. "But in the first half, we missed shots, open shots, and that’s the reason we found the break. In the second half, when we started to make shots coming from good plays, with a great sense of sharing the ball and we made those shots, we got a big difference."

Barca clinches home-court advantage, 72-56

FC Barcelona clinched home-court advantage for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs by downing ALBA Berlin 72-56 in Round 32 at Palau Blaugrana on Thursday. Barca improved to 22-10 after recording its fourth consecutive victory. It is also on a six-game home winning streak. ALBA dropped to 9-23 and has been out of the playoffs race for several rounds already.

Sertac Sanli paced the winners with 12 points off the bench. Nikola Mirotic added 11 while Nikola Kalinic had 10 for Barca, which committed only 7 turnovers and pulled down 14 offensive rebounds. Yanni Wetzell led the way for ALBA with 9 points.

Jan Vesely, Mirotic and Kyle Kuric each buried a jumper in a 6-0 run that gave Barca an early 10-5 lead. Tomas Satoransky's three-point play soon boosted his team's margin to 15-9. Johannes Thiemann and Jaleen Smith rescued ALBA and when Ben Lammers added a three-pointer and a couple of layup, the visitors were in charge, 19-21, after 10 minutes. 

Yovel Zoosman and Malte Delow each hit a triple to cause Barca to call timeout at 21-27. Sertac Sanli and Mirotic stepped up for the hosts and Nico Laprovittola's consecutive layups put Barca ahead, 34-33. Delow hit a wild buzzer-beating jumper for a 34-35 ALBA edge at the break.

Kuric buried a three-pointer soon after the break and followed Mirotic's layup with a jumper for a 41-39 Barca lead. Nikola Kalinic took over with a three-point play and got help from Rokas Jokubaitis and Sanli to establish a 50-42 Barca lead after 30 minutes. 

Kalinic followed a layup with a triple, and an unstoppable Sanli boosted the hosts' margin to 60-45 with over 7 minutes left. LIttle changed after that as Barca kept a double-digit margin all the way until the final buzzer, cruising to an important win.