Thursday’s edition of the Eternal derby promises to be a big one. With Partizan desperate, Crvena Zvezda have an opportunity for more than basketball bragging rights in Belgrade. The Red side of the city could kick start a run to the Euroleague post-season and bury their arch rivals in the process.
Normally, when Euroleague clashes with an international window, it’s fair to say attention is divided. That’s what normally happens. On Thursday, much as I’d love to say most of you will watch me on TG4 for the Ireland vs Azerbaijan game, we know that’s not the case. Crvena Zvezda host Partizan in the Eternal derby. That alone gets the eyes of the basketball world. Add in the higher stakes and it’s definitely a can’t miss game.
Zvezda are getting it done
A 5-5 record in Euroleague isn’t exactly earth shattering on its own. It’s how Crvena Zvezda has got there and the wider context of the competition that makes it stand out. With three of their five victories coming on the road, against rivals for the postseason no less, the Red side of Belgrade has put itself in a solid spot to push on.
While Partizan have the greater amount of star power on paper, it’s Zvezda who are getting the hard won results. There have been impressive outings, most notably the road wins at Fenerbahce and AS Monaco. The only true bad loss on their record was a trouncing at Real Madrid. Even that would have been considered likely at the start of the campaign.
The goal for Ioannis Sfairopoulos is to get this team to the postseason. Everything beyond that is a bonus. While only holding 10th spot right now, by only a game at that, the mentality is positive. This is a team looking up the standings to see who they can jump more than one fearing being chased down.
As for Partizan
While Crvena Zvezda are outperforming expectations, Partizan are competing with Real Madrid for biggest disappointment of the season so far. Zeljko Obradovic’s side enter Thursday’s derby on a six game losing streak in Euroleague.
Treating this as a must-win however feels excessive. Don’t get me wrong, Partizan could really do with a W on Thursday. It’s how they channel their desperation that matters. Mentally, a loss could end their season in November or steel them for a surge forward. Similarly, treating a win like that means everything is fine won’t do them any good.
No, instead they’ve got to get back to basketball basics. This is a rivalry game, that makes it a fight. Keeping your head and pushing hard is what matters. Partizan must maintain their focus throughout and not suffer the awful lapses in performance that have cost them repeatedly this season.
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Nikola Kalinic is the key
There are so many guys to watch here. The Crvena Zvezda back court has seen some solid efficiency from Codi Miller-McIntyre and Isaiah Canaan, with Milos Teodosic and Yago dos Santos both performing really well on adjusted numbers in reduced roles.
With Partizan, well there have been some good performers but the obvious narrative has been how spread the minutes and usage have been. Nobody has really tried to take over yet for them. Zvezda don’t have such an issue and it’s not because of their creators being so reliable.
No, that’s due to Nikola Kalinic playing some of the best basketball of his career this Euroleague season. Kalinic’s shooting stats are superb, he’s also got immense leadership on the floor. Containing him is going to be a challenge. Partizan are going to have to make him gamble on the ball. Turnovers by Kalinic seem the one area where he can be exploited. Partizan have to bring pressure in order to make that a factor on Thursday.
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A turning point?
It’s really easy to come down hard with a firm yes or no. The Eternal derby will, naturally, be dissected to dust. The importance of rivalry games is usually either overblown or understated. Rarely is it measured right.
This one certainly feels bigger than normal. Crvena Zvezda are in a good place, Partizan are trying to get to a better one in Euroleague. In the most roundabout of ways, a defeat for either feels more important than a win for either. There’s more to lose for both sides here than there truly is to gain.
That adds a dose of desperation to Thursday’s battle. The fans know this isn’t a normal basketball game at the best of times. This one however feels more of a must-not-lose than a must-win game. Whoever wins, their celebrations will be short enough. The self-reflection in defeat could impact the rest of the season.
*Programming note: As I will be on broadcast duty for the Ireland vs Azerbaijan game on Thursday evening, it will be Friday before a column after the game goes up.
