Ostoja Mijailovic reveals plan to pay off Partizan's debt / News - Basketnews.com

Ostoja Mijailovic talked about Partizan's plans to get rid of a 7-million debt, how he experienced Kevin Punter's game-winning shot in Monaco, and his feelings for Crvena Zvezda not making the EuroLeague playoffs.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor-Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor-Getty Images

Ostoja Mijailovic, president of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, was a guest on TV Prva and talked about the team's performance in the EuroLeague, Kevin Punter, the club's debt, and Crvena Zvezda's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the playoffs.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

AS Monaco Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade84-88 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Panathinaikos AthensFri18:30

"One of the two goals at the beginning of the season was the (EuroLeague) Top 8, and I congratulate the team on that," he said.

"This is really a big success for our club, management, and Serbian basketball players. This is certainly the greatest success of club basketball, but there is no euphoria," Mijailovic underlined, and then spoke about his emotional reaction in the Principality:

"My reaction was inappropriate, I was there as the president of the club, but I didn't control my emotions. You wait for such a result for six years and an explosion happens in you, it was an emotional moment," admitted Mijailovic.

The Serbian businessman and former politician recalled that, at the beginning of the season, coach Zeljko Obradovic suggested that Kevin Punter become the team's captain.

"Many people laughed, asking why should it be a foreigner," Mijailovic said.

"But I supported him, as did Zoran Savic (the club's GM). When he got the ball [in Monaco], I knew he was going to shoot a 3-point shot. Only that kind of shot would secure the win for us at that point - and he knew it," Partizan's president pointed out.

In the last round, Partizan will have a chance to get 5th place, but not everything will depend on them. They host Panathinaikos on Friday and need to win, but they also depend on Fenerbahce and Maccabi to lose to Crvena Zvezda and Real Madrid.

"We've been waiting for 13 years," he admitted.

"Those calculations give me a headache. Whoever we play with, I'm sure we'll fight to go to the Final Four, but we don't need to talk about it in advance. Whoever is our opponent, it will not be easy for them in Belgrade, but we know that we have to try hard to win on the road," Mijailovic stressed, before referring toPartizan's debt, which is on the verge of being paid off.

2-pointers this season

56%21,2Points made:21,2Accuracy:56,1%Place in standings:4Record max:29Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"It's a simple situation. From 2017 until now, the debt excluding taxes was almost 7 million and we started negotiations with creditors. In 2018, we made a settlement for five years, and those debts are paid almost in full."

Two weeks ago, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic revealed thatPartizan football and basketball clubs owe the state 26 million euros in overdue tax obligations.

"There are still a few installments remaining at roughly 100,000 euros each," Mijailovic confirmed.

"I apologize to the state and to all the people who live here, but I also thank the state for waiting on the tax debt issue. This week I have a meeting with the management for us to agree on how to pay," said Mijailovic, and added that the tax debt to be paid is around 7 million with interest.

"About 2,000 people contacted the club; fans, sponsors, and public figures, who want to help with the payment. We will implement a debt recovery action that will be on a voluntary basis. We have to pay and thank the country that has waited on us," the 43-year-old entrepreneur pointed out.

Mijailovic also said he was sorry Zvezda, Partizan's main rivals, did not secure a place in the EuroLeague playoffs.

"I'm really sorry," he argued.

"Many will say I'm just being sarcastic, but Zvezda and Partizan make up the biggest derby. They deserved the Top 8," he concluded.

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