Zeljko frustrated at media over injury reporting: 'I'm terribly surprised' / News - Basketnews.com

Obradovic reiterated his points and clarified the situation with Mateusz Ponitka. Zeljko said that he always represents the truth when talking with the media and was disappointed that his words were twisted.

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

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade suffered their second defeat in the first three EuroLeague games on Tuesday. Before the departure to Greek for the next matchup, head coach Zeljko Obradovic decided to address the injury situation and its reporting.

Free throws this season

81%17,0Points made:17,0Accuracy:81,0%Place in standings:1Record max:20Record min:14Most made FTs:Zach LeDayTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Mateusz Ponitka was not registered for the match against FC Barcelona due to a shoulder injury he's been dealing with recently. Meanwhile, Alen Smailagic played through pain as he had issues with his wrist.

Obradovic was frustrated with how the local media reported the situation.

"I think that I am very precise when I speak, and I am terribly surprised when I see some different comments and descriptions. I explained to you that yesterday Ponitka came to practice before noon and that he had a shoulder injury that caused him to miss two games earlier, that the man could not raise his arm," Zeljko began. "Physiotherapists responded, and it was assessed that he could not play in the game. Today, at half past 12, they will have an MRI to determine what it is and how serious it is."

"That is the only truth that exists related to Ponitka," the legendary coach said. "I said that Smailagic sprained his wrist the day before the match with Barcelona, ​​that it hurt terribly, and that he left practice after ten minutes, that the doctor and physiotherapists did everything to make him fit, and, of course, that it was his great desire to help the team, and he helped."

Apparently, some local media outlets interpreted Obradovic's words differently and made headlines out of it. The winningest coach in Europe was not happy about it.

"Those are the only two things I talked about. I didn't talk about anything else. How does one make an interpretation, why? I really can't get into that, it's not up to me," Zeljko said. "I don't believe that I ever tried to hide something from you and that I didn't go out in public to say what is exactly as it is."

Partizan will play against Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece on Thursday, October 19th. The game is scheduled to start at 20:15 CET.

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