Partizan vs. Crvena Zvezda: Belgrade derby from outsider's perspective / News - Basketnews.com

The first-ever game between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda in the EuroLeague was all I hoped for and more - from electrified Serbian journalists to incredible amounts of security. I let you in on the Belgrade derby and what I experienced as a foreign journalist in the Stark Arena.

Credit: BOZIC/BETAPHOTO/SIPA - Scanpix, Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images | BasketNews illustration/M.Bertys Credit BOZIC/BETAPHOTO/SIPA - Scanpix, Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images | BasketNews illustration/M.Bertys

"This game will be remembered for decades,"Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's president Ostoja Mijailovictold the morning of the gameday. It was the first meeting between the two Serbian basketball giants in the EuroLeague. Ever. And it delivered.

Player of the Game EFF 21 Luca Vildoza Points 14 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 4 Assists 6

Two basketball coaching legends inZeljko ObradovicandDusko Ivanovic, and two eternal rivals whose matches are often a spectacle both on and off the court.

I had picked to visit this game a long time before actually coming to Serbia. At that time, I didn't know that it was the first meeting between the two clubs in the entire history of the EuroLeague. When I found out about it, it made everything even more special than it already was.

After arriving a day early on Wednesday, Thursday was the headline day of action. Following a regular shift at BasketNews, I slowly headed toward the game. A delicious pljeskavica was followed by a visit to the National Museum to calm me down before an electric evening.

With approximately an hour left until the game, I arrived at the Stark Arena in Novi Beograd. I'll try to walk you through what I saw and experienced as a foreign visitor and a journalist.

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