Serbian League's director confronts Partizan before the playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

The league's director said that Partizan harmed the league by withdrawing from the competition and that it's difficult to operate when the club doesn't partake in the governing of the tournament.

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

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade made headlines last year after refusing to participate in the Serbian Basketball League (KLS) playoffs. Yet another iteration of the conflict was added on Tuesday.

Points this season

50%85,2Points made:85,2Accuracy:50,2%Place in standings:3Record max:104Record min:58Best scorer:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

KLS held a conference ahead of the playoffs where the tournament system and the schedule were determined. Partizan did not send a single representative to the meeting.

In the press conference that followed after, the director of the KLS, Aleksandar Grujin, addressed the issue, directly confronting the club.

"Partizan's decision harmed them the least, and the public and other clubs from the league were harmed the most," he stated. "We don't see a way out of that situation. We had communication with Partizan, they appeared at the sessions of the Assembly, and then they broke the quorum."

"We have to do it because of basketball. Even now Partizan did not come to the press conference. Why? Ask them. The vote of every team in KLS is equally valuable. Ask them why they didn't come," Grujin told the media. "Yesterday, they did not call to confirm [their decision]. The clubs sent their representatives and showed that they respect the league."

The operative later revealed that the 8 playoff teams will be split into two groups in the playoffs which should start on April 26th. A total of six rounds will be played among the teams in both groups.

The top two clubs will join Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Partizan in the semifinal round, which should start four days after the end of the ABA League, Grujin announced. Both the semifinal and the final series will be played in the best-of-three format.

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