MILOJEVIC: “DESERVED VICTORY OF PARTIZAN”
Players of Mega Leks played a bad derby match in Super League derby but in the end came to a minimal defeat (81-85), which still leaves them in the race for first place in the group.
Combo guard of Mega Petar Popovic points out that the weak defense of Mega decided winner:
“Congratulations to Partizan on deserved win. We opened well the first quarter, we had good solutions in attack and we played defense very correct. In the second quarter we allowed Partizan to take the easy points from some of our mistakes and turnovers. Also, anyone’s balls mostly ended in their hands, and the 30 points they achieved in the second quarter shows that we did not do a good job on the defensive. In the third quarter, the defense were on a solid level, but Partizan managed to hit some tough shots, and to maintain their lead of 10-12 points. In the end, the match ended with a solid difference, and gave us chance that in the next match in Belgrade we’re going for win”,
Popovic finished.
Coach of Mega Leks pointed out that the final result was good in relation to the game of Mega:
“Congratulations to Partizan deserved win. The result at the end is unrealistic because it does not reflect the real state of events on the ground where the Partizan this time must have been 15 points better than us. Happiness is ours as a they played very clumsy these last two or three minutes where we managed to get four points difference and it is a result that gives us a chance to suprised them in Pionir and win, and so to be the first in the group, which is our goal. As far as I left that Novica Velickovic proved what he is, that is the player who makes the difference. He played a great game, not only because of the points she achieved, but also he animated his teammates and made us a lot of trouble. In attack we did not solve the situation when Partizan took over, there were a lot of mistakes and turnovers that have enabled Partizan easy counterattacks. The second quarter was terrible for us and it’s probably determined the winner. Once again I congratulate Partizan, and I’m pleased with the score at the end with regard to what we showed on the pitch”.
On the question on injury of Mega’s playmaker Nikola Ivanovic, who left the parquet in the fourth quarter, Milojevic said:
“Nikola Ivanovic injured his wrist. The first forecasts are not encouraging, it does not look good. Surely we will be without him much weakened, because he is one of our best players. League is such that ends in twenty days, and it could happen that he do not play by the end of the season. But, there’s nothing I can not tell you exactly, we are waiting for a more detailed analysis”,
said coach of Mega Leks.
Photo: Mega Leks / Ivica Veselinov