Partizan's president names team's main goal, gives props to Zvezda for signing Campazzo / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan's president Ostoja Mijailovic named the ABA League as the club's primary goal for the season and congratulated Crvena Zvezda on signing Facundo Campazzo.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor-Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor-Getty Images

President ofPartizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Ostoja Mijailovic, pointed out in an interview for Sport Klub that the priority of the club in the coming year is to win the ABA League and keep its place in the EuroLeague.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Anadolu Efes Istanbul82-79 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradeThu17:45

Mijailovic also defendedZeljko Obradovic's work, pointing out that new additions will be made if the coaching staff deems it necessary, and praised Crvena Zvezda on signing Facundo Campazzo.

"There are always those who can't wait to criticize the coach, the players, the administration and the work of the club, but the vast majority supports us. We are investing all our strength to achieve the best possible result this season. Big thanks to the fans," Mijailovic told Sport Klub and continued:

"Our primary goal is to play in the EuroLeague. Years ago, I said that we are not a club that can survive with this kind of organization in the EuroCup. Belgrade, Serbia and the entire region deserve two big clubs in the EuroLeague, and above all I am thinking of Partizan.

We are the record holders for the number of season tickets and for the number of fan attendance, regardless of our streak of bad results. Therefore, the primary goal is to win the ABA League and continue to play in the EuroLeague. We will fight for it in every way."

Some weeks ago, Zeljko Obradovic said his team was going to need new signings in order to cope with a difficult season of back-to-back games. That's why Partizan added Vladimir Brodziansky. Mijailovic said that if the winningest European coach asked him to make some reinforcements, the answer would be affirmative.

"Our coaching staff, headed by Zeljko Obradovic has the club's support and they clearly said that they will contact us if it's necessary to strengthen the team. We have players coming back from injury, Aleksa Avramovic and Balsa Koprivica, while Alen Smailagic has just returned. If reinforcement is needed, we will do that."

2-pointers this season

57%21,9Points made:21,9Accuracy:57,3%Place in standings:3Record max:27Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The probably most interesting part of the interview came when Mijailovic referred to Crvena Zvezda's signing of Facundo Campazzo. With the ongoing tension between Belgrade's rival clubs simmering unabated, Partizan's president had nothing but praise for his team's main opponent.

"I would like to congratulate our city rival for a quality reinforcement. They are fighting on their front, and we will fight on ours. It's stupid for me to comment. The player they brought in is a world-class player," Mijailovic commented.

"They said that it's in the interest of Serbian basketball, and I said that it is the most expensive and most important signing. I congratulate them on the record they achieved, but we have our trump card, we're Partizan."

Mijailovic said he's satisfied with how the club presented itself organizationally in the EuroLeague, and once again referred to the Serbian derby.

"It's not an excuse, but for the first time I have to say that visiting fans, 98% of them, got tickets for the derby through our sponsors.

When we received that information, I called a meeting of the security structures and club management and we made a decision to show the EuroLeague and European basketball that a game can be organized when visiting fans are also in the hall," Mijailovic emphasized.

"We wanted to show that we're a civilized club. None of their nearly 500 fans lost a hair," he stressed.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.