Mario Hezonja on Partizan-Real fight: 'People have to let it go' / News - Basketnews.com

Hezonja said the fight is in the past, and Partizan fans have to calm down and let it go.

Credit: Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix Credit Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix

Mario Hezonja had a great EuroLeague double week, leading the team to victory both against ALBA Berlin on Tuesday and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade on Thursday. The second game had significantly more interest because of the things that happened last year.

Player of the Game EFF 33 Mario Hezonja Points 25 Accuracy 8-14 Rebounds 6 Assists 4

Partizan and Real Madrid were battling in the EuroLeague playoffs last season when the fateful fight happened during Game 2 of the series. Kevin Punter and Mathias Lessort were suspended from Partizan's side. Guerschon Yabusele, who bodyslammed Dante Exum, and Gabriel Deck were given suspensions from Real Madrid's side.

Even though Partizan were up 2-0, the fight changed the course of the series, and the Serbian team ultimately lost, surrendering an 18-point advantage in the third quarter in Game 5.

It was Yabusele's first game in Belgrade after the fight, and the French forward was heavily booed throughout the entire contest. Hezonja, meanwhile, was welcomed positively, and Hezonja was the man who sunk Partizan's ship on Thursday.

"I'm kind of a home guy here because I'm from this area. For me, Partizan was always so successful that regardless of where you are from this region, you always watched the best teams. And Partizan was always the best team. So, for me, just naturally, you appreciate them to be a fan. Nowadays, I am a player, and I'm in a position to come and play against them. Nothing but respect and I'm really thankful and appreciate the help and support for me," Hezonja said after the game, via Amerikanos24.

Hezonja scored 25 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists for 35 PIR. It was the fifth straight Real Madrid's win against Partizan since the fateful Game 2 fight.

Talking about the hostile reception of the club, Hezonja invited the local fans to let the past events go.

"This happens, you know, but you have to understand - all the people from this region are not going to forget so easily. You have to understand them, they're also right. From a sports standpoint, these things happen. It's so competitive, it was [the] EuroLeague playoffs. We were all basically going to die to get that win," Hezonja said.

"These things have to stay in the past because they are also friendly clubs, Partizan with Real Madrid. It has to stay like this, and I'm again calling the fans, especially from Partizan, to calm [down], to stay calm, to let it go, because these things happen sometimes, and it's a pity that it happened between Real and Partizan because they always had a great relationship," the player concluded.

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