Zeljko Obradovic appreciates love from Fenerbahce club / News - Basketnews.com

Zeljko Obradovic says a win over Fenerbahce gives confidence ahead of the next challenges: "If we were able to beat the EuroLeague leaders, we can play against any other team."

Credit: IMAGO/MN Press Photo-Scanpix Credit IMAGO/MN Press Photo-Scanpix

Zeljko Obradovic made a victorious return at the Ulker Sports and Events Hall, where he won the last of his record nine EuroLeague titles. The visiting Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade edged out Fenerbahce, 73-72.

"I want to congratulate my players. The main problem in previous games was defense. I believe that tonight, our way to prepare for the game and how we reacted during the game was absolutely different. This is the way. We need to understand that if we were able to beat the EuroLeague leaders, we can play against any other team," Obradovic said after the match.

Aleksa Avramovic made the difference in his EuroLeague debut on Thursday night. Avramovic drew a couple of fouls and hit 3-of-4 free throws in crunch time before Ioannis Papapetrou came up with a critical steal in Fenerbahce's final possession.

"Both of them did a great job, I believe in them. Avramovic played a little more than eight minutes, it's his first game since June. He started working with the team a week ago. I know how difficult it was for him, but he helped the team, so a lot of congratulations to him and the rest of the team."

Fenerbahce had three seconds to rescue a game following questionable Scottie Wilbekin's foul, but the black-and-white team masterfully read the home team's play and achieved the win.

"We didn't know what they were going to play. It's impossible to know because they have many options. In those moments, the key is concentration and defense. This is the beauty of basketball," Obradovic commented on the last opponent's possession.

Last but not least, the 62-year-old paid respect to the Fenerbahce club. Obradovic brought them the only EuroLeague title in the team's history. And nobody in Istanbul forgets that.

"I want to say thank you to everyone at Fenerbahce. Everyone at the club recognized what we did together over the years. I am proud my seven years and great moments in Istanbul are not forgotten. It was a special night for me and I want to thank the fans that showed me the love, which I felt all seven years there," Obradovic concluded.

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