Chaos in ABA League Finals: Raging Zvezda fans throw objects, as Lessort tries to confront the crowd / News - Basketnews.com

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Game 2 of the ABA League Finals in the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall saw the reigning champions Crvena Zvezda overcome city rivals Partizan NISin a hard battle that ultimately gave the hosts a 2-0 lead going forward to Game 3 next Wednesday.

Mathias Lessort

MIN:23.41PTS:13.1 (66.67%)REB:6.4As:1ST:1BL:0.5TO:1.1GM:10ProfileEuroCup2021/2022

However, the two teams and their fans didn't just do battle on the court. After the final buzzer, tensions were obviously huge.

One of the members of Partizan's coaching staff had something to say to Zvezda fans sitting behind their bench, and the home fans reacted immediately. Various objects were thrown on the field from the stands (glasses, bottles, etc.) at Partizan's players.

Zvezda head coach Dejan Radonjic was the first to appear on the court to try to protect the black and white players, but the situation escalated when Mathias Lessort confronted the crowd. The French big man started moving towards the fans, before players from both teams prevented him from engaging physically with them.

Then, Partizan's guard Kevin Punter, who had played for Red Star in 2019-20, showed his middle finger to the home fans. As objects were being constantly thrown from the stands, Zvezda captains Ognjen Dobric, Luka Mitrovic and Nikola Kalinic stood at the entrance to the tunnel, asking rabid fans to stop.

What's more, problems occurred also during the game, as Crvena Zvezda fans kept insulting Partizan GM Zoran Savic, which led to the derby being interrupted several times.

At the postgame presser, Zeljko Obradovic was obviously disappointed by everything that had transpired a few instances earlier.

"When I came to Partizan, I said that I would try to relax things," the winningest European coach said.

"I have no comment on the behavior of the fans, I have no comment on the events after the match, I can only say that the most important thing is to be and remain human. I have always behaved and I will continue to behave correctly," Partizan's play caller concluded.

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