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Bogadanovic: We will match Partizan's aggressive play with an even more aggressive approach

Fenerbahce's coach Zeljko Obradovic won his first European title with Partizan and their point guard Bo McCalebb played in the Euroleague Final Four with Partizan. The Turks are coming to Pionir undefeated

Partizan are on 1-2, Fener on 3-0 and the Turks are going into this game as huge favorites in front of a sold-out Pionir arena. Partizan's good performances, and an attractive opponent are just some of the reasons this match is so interesting, but we should also add the former Partizan's coach Zeljko Obradovic, a man who got the first of his 7 European titles in with Partizan in 1992. 

- I don't like playing against Partizan, it is my club and I've never liked these situations, but what can you do about it? You have to play, so we'll play - said the legendary coach upon his arrival to Belgrade.

His team still hasn't lost an official game this season - 3-0 in the Cup, they've won the Supercup, 3-0 in Euroleauge, and 4-0 in te Turkish league. But they have a tough nut to crack today; apart from the game in the Supercup against Galatasaray, this might be one of the toughest games this season, despite them having played against CSKA and Barcelona. Partizan in Pinori is a challenge that can match even the biggest derbies in Europe. The Partizan of today is superbly organized team in which  Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dejan Milosavljevic and Terence Kinsey play the main role. They have been brilliant this season, and Partizan become truly dangerous when another player matches their quality. 

Last week in Kiev, Lauvergne had 0/4 field goal (13 rebounds), Westermann had 1/5, Gagic and Musli both had 2/7...And even in this state, they had an equal game with 16 by Kinsey and 15 by Bogdanovic and Milosavljevic each and they were up after 3 periods.

Last weekend against Cibona, Kinsey was missing due to fever and sickness but Lauvergne pitched in with 21 points while Bogdanovic and Milosavljevic did their usual job -  19 p 6/16 and  21p, 7/16, respectively.The win was never in question and one stat was particularly indicative - turnovers (7-14.). This used to be Partizan's sore spot in previous seasons and now it's a sign of maturity, a sign that this team, the youngest team in Europe, has matured. Westermann used to have a poor turnover/assist ratio - ask Greg Popovich just how important that is - and this season he's improved radically in this segment of the game. His formed dropped a bit in the past few weeks due to injury, but we expect him to be at his best tonight. 

- Hope is a realistic thing, and where there's hope there's a way. Fenerbahce are a huge favorite, but if we give it our best and go into this game motivated, we can hope - said coach Vujosevic. 

- Fener have great players in all positions and we can't promise anything but to give our best. Only then can we get the result we want - added Bogdanovic.

Even though he and Milosavljevic will have big, important tasks in matchups against Bojan Bogdanovic and Elmir Preldzic, Jo Lauvergne's performance will be crucial for tonight's game. The flow of this game will be largely dictated by the way he plays against Bjelica and Kleiza in both ways. He should cover the rebound, he has the physique working for him here, but the defense remains an open question, especially against Kleiza who is very strong and can play well with his back turned.

Gagic and Musli still have to show a lot, but Fener have Vidmar and Zoric on these positions and they can be played against. Therein lie some chance for the Belgrade team.

The Turkish team have many players from the Balkans. Obradovic used to manage Partizan, he often played against them with  Panathinaikos, Bojan Bogdanovic used to come here with Cibona, Bjelica with Zvezda, McCalebb used to play for Partizan, he took them to Final Four in Paris. They all know one thing...

- The black-and-whites are one team at home and the other away - said Bjelica.

- They're a great team and they have great chances to go through. They will be filled with confidence and will not show us an ounce of respect. Because of this, we have to open the game well and not allow them to get into their game. We have to start this game in a fighting mood.

Fener humiliated CSKA and their stars in the last round beating them by 26 points. Bogdanovic revealed that the fans are euphoric, but 'we know the season has just begun and now is not the time for these feelings', and after that game they went to Izmir where they beat Aliaga Petkim despite having a poor quarter and not having Kleiza.

- We have been preparing for this away game for the past 2-3 days. We know we're in for a tough match because Partizan are playing really well at home. Mainly due to atmosphere in the arena, and their aggression is at a very high level - said Bogdanovic for Serbian Mondo.

- They are very agile in offense and defense, mostly in offensive rebounds. We will try to match their aggressive play with an even more aggressive approach.

As far as Fener's team goes, Savas and Karama have been out since the start of the season and the only player in doubt is the less important Baris Ermis, while Partizan are still without their shooter Davis Bertans. 

Fenerbahce's undefeated run will face a huge test tonight in a packed Pionir. Partizan have been powerful here for years regardless of who they're up against. And they have the best team here since Bo McCalebb took them to Final Four in Paris. Bogdanovic and Milosavljevic have matured as players as they're doing great in both directions, Fener's shooting guards will have lots of problems with them. Partizan can match Vidmar and Zoric with Gagic and Musli in the paint, and if Lauvergne shows what he knows against Bjelica and Kleiza, this should be a very close game that Partizan could even win. In any way, I think they have far better chances than this handicap would suggest.