Zeljko Obradovic sends message to fans ahead of clash vs Crvena Zvezda / News - Basketnews.com

Obradovic wanted unity and sportsmanship to prevail in the Cup derby on Saturday and appealed to the fans to remain peaceful above all. The coach revealed Alen Smailagic would not play, as the big man is suffering from a fever.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade overcame Vojvodina mts in the Serbian Korac Cup semifinal on Friday. Following the game's conclusion, Partizan's head coach, Zeljko Obradovic, addressed the fans ahead of a clash against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on Saturday.

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At one point during the game against Vojvodina, the match had to be momentarily stopped due to some chants from Partizan fans, which sparked an even fiercer reaction from the crowd.

Compared to last year, the Radivoj Korac Cup hasn't had any incidents so far. Obradovic appealed that it would remain that way.

"When I was promoted to coach of Partizan, I emphasized several things, one of which was that fair play would prevail and we'd talk only about basketball. Tomorrow's the big final between two big clubs, I hope and I would like everything to be fair and sportsmanlike. I appeal before, above all, to the fans of Partizan to treat all the participants of the game fairly. The court is not a place to insult anyone," Obradovic said in the post-game press conference.

"I've said it that from the first day whenever I had the opportunity - we are rivals, but we're also sports friends. That's how it should stay. Let the better one win. Let it end there. The strongest impression of the first year in Nis was when Zvezda and Partizan fans sang Marš na Drinu (transl. March to Drina, an old Serbian war song, often featured in sports competitions) together. May it be the same tomorrow so that we all understand that we are in our beautiful country and that everyone respects each other. Let it end in a nice and fair way, and that picture will go around Europe," Zeljko concluded.

Partizan will compete against their eternal rivals without Alen Smailagic, who also missed the game against Vojvodina. The big man is suffering from a fever, and it's highly unlikely he will play, Obradovic said.

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