Djordjevic recalls 1992 success: 'Zeljko didn't give us time to look at our ID cards' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: D.Repečka/BasketNews Credit D.Repečka/BasketNews

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Sasa Djordjevic recalled the journey to his only EuroLeague title in 1992 with Partizan Belgrade, talking to Mozzart Sport.

Djordjevic's highlight of his career with Partizan (1983-1992) occurred exactly in that year's EuroLeague final, when the Serbian guard drained a game-winning buzzer-beater from deep.

His shot sank the Spanish club Montigala Joventut, 71-70.

After the tournament, Sasa Djordjevic was named to the 1992 EuroLeague All-Final Four Team.

However, according to the coach, the most memorable moments were related to the journey itself and a spent time with his teammates during that season.

In 1992, Partizan won the championship with an average players age of 21.7 years. It seems unthinkable for today's conditions.

"For us, every season was an opportunity to fight for a trophy. Partizan as a club gave us that chance. And in Yugoslavia, it was known - youth was just a number. Coaches gave us a chance if we deserved it.

Travelling also helped, we spent a lot of time together. We made great chemistry, enjoyed each other, and looked for our own way of fun. Young guys brought enthusiasm and energy. Zeljko Obradovic (Partizan's head coach at that time) did not give us time to look at our ID cards. Of course, we had quality and character as well.

A dissertation could be written about that character. In the summer of 1991, Joventut lost by a two-point margin against the Los Angeles Lakers," Djordjevic spoke.

As stated by the 54-year-old specialist, Zeljko Obradovic was the main factor behind the great Partizan success in 1992.

"Everything came from the training demands that Zeljko Obradovic made for us. In general, young people matured much faster, at least in terms of obligations on the court (in Yugoslavia). That involves concentration all 40 minutes, shooting in the right way, extra passes, extra penetration, and helping each other. That's how we trained.

There was no practice that you could only be there physically, and not present with your head. That was Zeljko's greatest quality. He simply encouraged you to think every second about what to do next," Djordjevic remembered.

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