By Rafal Juc

 

Second day of NIJT in Belgrade was just acknowledgment that serbian basketball, especially exactly from Belgrade, is as strong as anywhere in the world, while all four serbian teams advanced to semifinals! We started this really warm and sunny day from battle Crvena Zvezda - Mega Vizura, which finished as a blow-out, while Crvena won 121-73, playing without biggest star Nikola Jankovic (’94). Although game was really colored, we were able to take a closer look at promising youngsters of Mega Vizura. Undeniably the most impressed us, immature and undersized, was only 16-years old playmaker Strahinja Jovanovic (’96). Even being still unpolished in many aspect of game, he was able to control well tempo of his team, facing older and stronger Crvena’s guards. Worth to follow also skinny forward Rade Zagorac (’95), who showed his versatile offensive skills, aggressiveness, nice shoot and impressed with his length and mobility. He led Mega Vizura with 26 points on 4/6 threes.

After first half, when Crvena Zvezda was leading by more than 20 points we decided to move to another arena to watch second part of Alba Berlin - Union Olimpija game and it was great choose, because this rivalry finished after overtime with a 79-74 won of Germans. No doubt the best one of court was Jusuf Nurkic ('94), who went for 24 points and 17 rebounds. Listed at 6'9'' Olimpija’s center impresses with his mobility and offensive skills. Fade-away jumpers, 3-pointers in fast break or aggressive drives to the basket? No problem for Bosnian, who seems to be moody a bit, but being concentrated is just unstoppable.

Then - like most of viewers - we moved to see INSEP - Hemofarm battle and no doubt that it was so far one of the best games of whole tournament. It was just a pleasure to watch Nikola Milutinov - Mam Jaiteh match-up, who present both a good, old schools of European frontcourt players. All teams showed their best, because stake was really high - winner was going to reach place in semifinals. Mainly thanks to great game of Milutinov (19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 block), Hemofarm won 68-57 after really thrilling end. Should be noticed that very good performance in serbian team had also Luka Andjusic (’94), who was killing INSEP defense with threes (was actually 5/7). However, scouts were following only Milutinov, who is really big (at least 6'9''), mobile and lively.

Few hour’s break for a dinner and we came back to the arena, where everyone was ready for a start of decisive time. Firstly in battle for places 5-8 Union Olimpija faced INSEP and in another object we were witness of kind of german derby, while Alba Berlin was playing against Brose Basket. Honestly, nothing special has happened in both games, mainly due to evident tiredness of all players. Moreover everyone was counting down to semifinals, especially that all four serbian teams advanced to this phase.

Eurohopes staff decided to watch Crvena Zvezda - Hemofarm and it was great choice. Worth to admit that coach of senior Crvena Zvezda team Svietislav Pesic and successful ex-player Milan Gurovic were there also, as a at least ten NBA scouts and scouts as well as coaches from all over around. In front of more than 500 fans after great game hosts won 86-65, but it was undeniably not easy win as it shows final score. Certainly the most interesting match-up was battle of two big and mobile centers Nikola Milutinovic - Dusan Ristic, however show was owned by Crvena’s guards. Once more 17-years old Brano Djukanovic impresses with this brilliant wrist. Well-balanced and really aggressive team will meet in the big final with another team from Belgrade, because in second semifinals Partizan led by Nikola Majic beated Mega Vizura (93-56).

 

-Results (day 2):

Mega Vizura - Red Star Belgrade (73-121)

Alba Berlin - Union Olimpija (79-74)

INSEP - Hemofarm (57-68)

Partizan - Brose Baskets (78-61)

Alba Berlin - Brose Baskets (51-54)

INSEP - Union Olimpija (66-61)

Red Star - Hemofarm (86-65) - semifinal

Partizan - Mega Vizura (93-56) - semifinal 

 

Twitter of the author: @rafjuc

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Marko Metlas (Dusan Ristic, from Red Star Belgrade)