It is a special game for both teams as they go in search of their first victory
Real, Partizan meet again in Madrid
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 2 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Two clubs with extraordinarily high standards meet again at WiZink Center in Round 2, as Real Madrid hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade with looking for their first win in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. In Round 1, Los Blancos saw FC Bayern Munich rally from a double-digit deficit and register a 97-89 victory at the brand-new SAP Arena, while Partizan led most of the way at Buesa Arena but ended up falling to Baskonia-Vitoria Gasteiz, 88-82, in a thriller.
Few fans, if any, have forgotten the 2023 playoff series between Real and Partizan. After nine consecutive road losses this century, Partizan took Game 1 87-89 on a clutch shot by Kevin Punter, now with Real's archrival FC Barcelona, and also won Game 2, 78-85.
Real then stepped into uncharted territory, becoming the first team in EuroLeague history to rally from a 0-2 deficit in a playoff series and win it. After back-to-back wins in Belgrade, Real trailed 56-72 with under 13 minutes remaining in Game 5. Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull led Real's comeback, roared on by an incredible crowd, and Los Blancos won the game, 98-94, the series and eventually, the 2022-23 EuroLeague title.
Dzanan Musa had 20 points in that game while Mario Hezonja added 13. Their role has gradually increased over the years to the point that they are two of the team's leaders this season. Musa was named to the 2022-23 All-EuroLeague First Team and Hezonja earned 2023-24 All-EuroLeague Second Team honors. What’s more, Musa and Hezonja were two of three Real players to be chosen as MVP of the Month last season. Playmaker Facu Campazzo was the other one while Gaby Deck and Walter Tavares have also signed long-term contracts to remain key cogs in the core of a very competitive team.
Partizan has a brand-new squad, led by coaching legend Zeljko Obradovic. Balsa Koprivica is the only senior player from last year’s team who is still on the roster as Partizan has brought in a mix of EuroLeague veterans and younger players who are ready to prove themselves. Brandon Davies, Vanja Marinkovic, Iffe Lundberg and Isaac Bonga belong to the first group, and Sterling Brown and Tyrique Jones bring in one year of EuroLeague experience, a bit more than Frank Ntilikina, Aleksej Pokusevski, Carlik Jones and the currently injured Isiaha Mike. If available, it will be interesting to follow Mario Nakic, who was the 2019 ANGT Finals MVP with Real, as he makes his return to the Spanish capital.
Obradovic coached Real for three seasons, joining the team right after winning the EuroLeague title with Joventut Badalona in 1994. He led Real to its eighth continental crown in 1995, with legendary center Arvydas Sabonis earning Final Four MVP honors. To date, Obradovic is the only coach to win consecutive EuroLeague titles with different teams. Obradovic also won the Saporta Cup with Los Blancos in 1997, with a young Dejan Bodiroga and Alberto Herreros leading the way. Almost 30 years later, Sabonis turns 60 in December, Bodiroga is the current Euroleague Basketball president and Herreros is Real's sporting director, but Obradovic keeps doing what he loves – coaching – and won six more EuroLeague titles after that one in 1995.
Real also has its fair share of newcomers. Andres Feliz arrives to share the point guard duties with Campazzo after a great season with Joventut, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is a scorer ready to prove his value at this level. His stepfather Tharon Mayes played with Breogan Lugo and scored 21 points against Real Madrid in 1995, four months before Obradovic led Los Blancos to the EuroLeague title. Both Usman Garuba and Serge Ibaka returned to Real to offer defense, athleticism and very valuable experience.
Partizan has not been able to beat Real since the 2023 playoffs. Last season, Real prevailed at home, 91-75, behind 23 points for Musa. It was also able to win in front of a passionate crowd at Belgrade Arena, defeating Partizan 76-88 with over 20,000 fans in attendance. That night, Hezonja had 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a season-high PIR of 33.
This is Real's home opener and a great crowd is expected in the Spanish capital, with plenty expected to be there cheering on Partizan, too. Great tradition meets exciting, recent history in a one-of-a-kind showdown. Tune in to EuroLeague TV from 20:45 CEST to watch the action unfold!