Obradovic on Partizan: most steals in the league
Panathinaikos coach Zeljko Obradovic spoke about Partizan's defense and the Belgrade Arena crowd ahead of tomorrow's Round 5 EuroLeague game.
Before the Panathinaikos delegation left for Belgrade, Zeljko Obradovic spoke to Greek media about the game awaiting him tomorrow. Panathinaikos visits Partizan at Belgrade Arena on Tuesday, October 13, in Round 5 of the EuroLeague, with the broadcast on Arena 2 Premium. Outlets carrying his comments give a 20:30 start, while a betting widget on one of their sites says 18:30.
For Obradovic, it is a return to a arena where, according to TV Arena Sport, he last was almost a year ago. We previously reported his comment that this game is not the most important one for him.
What did Obradovic say ahead of the Partizan game?
In the translation published by Mozzart Sport, Obradovic said:
“I expect, above all, a tough basketball game. Partizan’s fans will do what they feel. We are playing a EuroLeague game against a team that is playing exceptionally well at the start of the year and has a lot of quality, as well as good defense. We tried to prepare to play the best we can.”
TV Arena Sport took the same interview from the portal Sport24 and translated it a little differently. In that version, Obradovic said: “We are playing a EuroLeague game against a team that is playing great at the start of the season, has a lot of quality and plays good defense. We tried to prepare as well as possible so we could give our maximum.”
He spoke about the atmosphere in the Arena like someone who spent years there. “I know it personally and I think the players know it too. Partizan has incredible fan support,” Obradovic said, according to Mozzart Sport’s translation, and added that it will be “great to see their reaction, this time from the other side and in a EuroLeague game”.
Why does Obradovic single out Partizan’s defense?
Asked what is key in the game against Partizan, he answered with a number. “They are the team with the most steals. They are the team where everything comes from defense, they can play in many formations and with a lot of good players. So far it is going very well for them,” Obradovic said before leaving for Belgrade.
Partizan has three wins and one loss, and played three of those four games on the road. Panathinaikos is 4-0 after four rounds, but all at home, so Belgrade is its first road game of the season.
How do the two teams stand before Round 5?
- Partizan: three wins, one loss, three road games in four rounds
- Panathinaikos: four wins from four rounds, all at home, first road game in Belgrade
- Schedule: Tuesday, October 13, Belgrade Arena, Arena 2 Premium
The difference in schedule is plain: Partizan has already played three times away, while Panathinaikos plays in front of an opposing crowd for the first time this season tomorrow, and in an arena where its coach knows exactly how the stands sound.
