Some defeats hurt more than others, and today’s moment in the history of Partizan might be remembered as one of the toughest in recent times. In Round 30 of the EuroLeague, the black-and-whites suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Anadolu Efes with a score of 65:97, conceding not only points but also exposing all their weaknesses.

The match at Belgrade Arena started with hope for the hosts, but it became clear in the first quarter that Partizan had fallen into an abyss. Efes quickly took the lead. Thanks to their accurate shooting and aggressive defense, the visiting team became the driving force of the game.

Partizan tried to respond, but none of their tactics worked. Their offense was chaotic, and their defense was practically nonexistent. The guests increased the pressure, leaving the black-and-whites without answers. Efes controlled every aspect of the game, while Partizan looked lost, devoid of ideas and energy.

Serbian fans expected their team to bounce back, but it didn’t happen. Instead, Efes continued to dominate Partizan, extending their lead to an incredible 29 points. Whistles echoed from the stands, some fans left the arena, but the majority stayed – perhaps not so much to support the team, but as a symbol of loyalty to a club that looked far from the cohesive unit everyone had hoped for.

In the end, Partizan couldn’t even significantly reduce the deficit. Efes was ruthless, precise, and dominant.
After the game, Partizan’s head coach, legend Željko Obradović, appeared in the mixed zone and at the press conference. His words were heavy, sincere, and full of accountability:

“This is our worst game of the season. Congratulations to Efes; they were excellent. I am responsible for what happened,” said Obradović.

The coach admitted that the team needed to make changes, but possibly something outside of basketball affected their poor performance. “We need to find motivation and energy. Considering the four remaining rounds, I promise we will fight until the end,” he added.

With a record of 15 wins and 15 losses, Partizan is now on the verge of losing the battle for a playoff spot in the EuroLeague. The next game against Alba Berlin will be a new test for the team but also an opportunity to prove they are still in the race.

Photo: Maxim Konankov