“I know very well that the derby is the most important game of the season,” former Partizan captain Vladimir Lučić once said.
Even with games coming every other day, Belgrade and the fans of its two biggest clubs somehow find time to catch their breath and focus on the derby – one of the few games that still has a proper build-up and a genuine day after.
This is never “just another game”. And afterwards, nobody can simply “move on to the next one”.
Crvena Zvezda are riding a four-game winning streak in the EuroLeague. Not everything is perfect in Ibon Navarro’s team, but the progress is evident, as is the fact that the players are gradually getting used to the Spanish coach’s rotations.
On the other hand, Partizan have lost three straight games in Europe’s elite competition, although that record needs some context – they visited Real Madrid, hosted Panathinaikos in Belgrade and travelled to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe. It hardly gets any tougher than that.
Empirical Evidence: Form Really Doesn’t Matter
Plenty of people roll their eyes whenever someone brings up the old saying that form means nothing going into a derby. Yet recent years have provided plenty of evidence to support it.
Partizan have won their last four meetings with their biggest rivals across all competitions, including the one towards the end of last season’s EuroLeague campaign.
Back then, Carlik Jones declared that he wanted to ruin Zvezda’s season – and, boy, did he succeed. The victory meant little to Partizan in terms of the standings, but it effectively ended Zvezda’s realistic hopes of qualifying directly for the playoffs, or at least securing a better position in the play-in.
Playing without pressure, Partizan were knocking down even the toughest shots, while Zvezda’s players seemed paralyzed by the pressure.
In the first EuroLeague derby of last season, Partizan were in disarray following Željko Obradović’s departure and trailed 65–51 with eight and a half minutes remaining. Inspired by Duane Washington, the black-and-whites turned the game around.
Back in November 2024, Zvezda were overwhelming favorites. They had home-court advantage, while Partizan were on a six-game EuroLeague losing streak. Many expected a comfortable victory for the red-and-whites, but the opposite happened – Partizan cruised to an 89–77 win.
Over the past two seasons, it has been Partizan who, despite all their troubles, have managed to bring out their best precisely when the derby comes around.
While waiting for much-needed reinforcements to strengthen his roster, head coach Joan Peñarroya will try to pull off something similar this time.
On the other side, the familiar faces on Ibon Navarro’s coaching staff and roster will probably place extra emphasis on the mental side of preparing for this game.
Injuries and “I Have to Win”
“I haven’t beaten Partizan since I’ve been wearing this jersey. I have to get a win. I have to win, we have to win. We have to win,” Chima Moneke said after last week’s victory over Paris.
Partizan will be without Tonye Jekiri, one of their most consistent performers since the start of the season, leaving Kevarrius Hayes and Joffrey Lauvergne as their options at center.
Zvezda, meanwhile, have been without John Motley for some time. Ebuka Izundu should be ready, while new signing Christian Koloko is unlikely to make his debut in the derby, particularly given Navarro’s philosophy of only playing those who are 100 percent ready.
Carlik Loves the Derby
Carlik Jones is the focal point of Partizan’s offense, and his name will be circled in red on Zvezda’s scouting report. He has shown that games against the red-and-whites bring out something extra in him, and that he can remain composed in all kinds of circumstances. Navarro will rotate defenders on him.
Luca Vildoza is a player who thrives in big moments and loves derbies. It will be fascinating to see him on the opposite side for the first time, having previously spent a season with Zvezda.
The red-and-whites, meanwhile, have a core of players who already experienced the derby last season. Alongside Serbian players Ognjen Dobrić and Dejan Davidovac, there are Jordan Nwora, Chima Moneke, Semi Ojeleye, Jared Butler, Tyson Carter and Ebuka Izundu.
The Best Possible Advertisement for the EuroLeague
But how do you explain to the newcomers just how special this rivalry is?
“Ooh, I wouldn’t tell them anything. Just let them experience it. That’s the best way to approach it,” Butler said, before adding with his trademark smile:
“It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait!”
Butler is hardly the only one who can’t wait. Partizan announced as early as Tuesday that every ticket had been sold, meaning the first derby of the season will be played in front of a packed Belgrade Arena.
Influencers, visitors from abroad, a huge contingent of international journalists, videos that will spread across social media and rack up millions of views…
Belgrade will once again become the center of European basketball, providing the best possible advertisement for the EuroLeague.
And that should count for something when the EuroLeague starts handing out franchises.
