After defeat to Olympiacos, Zeljko Obradovic faces an enormous challenge to save Partizan’s Euroleague Basketball season. Emmet Ryan on an old fighter who keeps on charging
It has been a season filled with adoration yet without the results to follow it up. Zeljko Obradovic is one of the greatest coaches in the history of sport. Not just Euroleague Basketball or even all of basketball. He’s up there in the all-time pantheon. Yet he may have his greatest ever challenge on his hands.
A matter of adoration
The crowds at Partizan games, especially Euroleague Basketball games, in the Stark Arena are the stuff of legend. Despite the high ceiling, the place is about as loud as it gets in basketball. Partizan fans treat home games like a place of worship.
When their preacher, Zeljko Obradovic, walks out he’s even greeted by his favourite disciple every time. The young fan greeting Zoc has become as he enters the court has organically become part of the traditions of the sport.
Fans from across the world flock to Belgrade to live the experience for themselves and share it with the world. Yet for all the passion and power, a crucial thing has been missing this season. Partizan simply don’t win enough at home. Their 11-5 home record is good but it’s rather close to all the sides around them in the postseason. Most of these teams can’t claim anything like the intimidation factor the Belgrade side enjoys.
The past must be the past
The Zeljko Obradovic title list is extraordinary. For major honours alone, he can claim 41 titles as a head coach. These include 9 Euroleague Basketball/FIBA European League titles. That’s all before you get to super cups and the like.
Everywhere he has been, Obradovic has found a way to win. Granted, he success at Panathinaikos puts the others in the shade. Still, he has won Euroleague titles at five clubs across three different decades.
Right now, that can’t matter. Nor can last season. Partizan frankly should have beaten Real Madrid in their playoff series. It was there for the taking. Even with the distractions that came from the end of their Game 2 win, it was there for them. Obradovic knows it and there was enormous positivity for Partizan coming into this season.
That expectation however seems to have caused a hangover.
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This is going to be tough
The defeat on Thursday to Olympiacos has left Partizan in a pickle. There are essentially 6 teams, 7 if you count FC Bayern, battling for 2 spots in the play-ins. It, of course, gets worse.
Baskonia have pole position on one of those spots. If they split their last two games, that’s enough for them to be safely playing in the Euroleague Basketball postseason. Realistically, Partizan’s best bet is taking the 10th and final spot. That is currently held by Anadolu Efes, who are a game behind Baskonia but hold a 1 game lead on Zalgiris Kaunas, Olimpia Milano, Partizan, and Valencia.
In short, Zeljko Obradovic does not control his own team’s fate anymore. Still, it is doable. They travel to last placed Alba Berlin next week. Then they host a Valencia side currently still in the hunt. Win both and they have a chance. Lose either and the maths fail.
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Always ready to get back on the horse
There is zero rational reason for Zeljko Obradovic to still be coaching. He’s 64 and has won absolutely all there is to win outside of the US. Obradovic is revered, far beyond the confines of Euroleague basketball. He could simply sit back with an early retirement and enjoy life.
That just isn’t how Zoc operates. This is a man for whom the challenge that comes with coaching is the fire that fuels his life. Svetislav Pesic is 10 years older than him and still going. Don’t be shocked if Obradovic takes a similar outlook.
Let’s go wild. Assume Partizan sneak into the playins. They then go into the playoffs and pull off a wild upset win in the series. Then it is on to Berlin and he completes the miracle turnaround. In a movie, that’s where his career ends. It’s the ultimate high and the crowning achievement.
The thing is, there’s always a new challenge. Obradovic hasn’t mellowed with age because he always finds motivation. Next season, there will be the arrival of Dubai in the ABA League. A new, wealthier, opponent to take on with Partizan in its domestic league. There will always be battles for Euroleague glory as long as he wants.
Zoc won’t stop because he has to keep going. It’s his drive. Besides, he couldn’t leave that youngster hanging when she’s waiting to greet him pre-game.
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