Peñarroya defeats Navarro in the Belgrade derby

On Thursday, October 22, Belgrade hosted a historic event in European basketball: the first Euroleague derby between Partizan and Red Star with a Spanish coach on each bench. Joan Peñarroya and Ibon Navarro engaged in a tactical duel that was decided in overtime, with the Serbian team of the former taking the victory in a match of maximum intensity.

The game started with a clear dominance from Peñarroya's team. At halftime, Partizan already led 52-38, reflecting a control of the game that seemed decisive. Entering the final quarter, the advantage was maintained at 65-50, a margin that suggested a comfortable victory for the Belgrade team. However, Red Star mounted a spectacular comeback in the last ten minutes of regulation time, scoring 25 points compared to only 10 for Partizan. This run allowed Navarro's men to force overtime with a tie at 75 points.

The drama of overtime: Jones and Pajola seal the victory

In the extra time, Red Star took the lead at 82-79, giving local fans hope for a complete turnaround. Nevertheless, with only 17 seconds left, Carlik Jones and Alessandro Pajola made consecutive three-pointers that put the final score at 85-82. Red Star had no chance to shoot afterwards, thus confirming Partizan's victory in a cinematic finish.

Jones was the main architect of this triumph. The Partizan forward recorded 26 points with an impressive 10 of 17 from the field, completing his performance with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and a rating of 28. His ability to deliver in critical moments proved essential. Lamar Stevens contributed 16 points, while Kevarrius Hayes added 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, demonstrating suffocating defense in the low post.

For Red Star, Chris Jones was the top scorer with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jordan Nwora contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Semi Ojeleye added 13 points. Despite these individual performances, Navarro's team was unable to maintain the defensive consistency that characterizes their game, allowing Partizan to control the decisive moments.

Statistics reveal Partizan's offensive dominance

The overall numbers of the match tell a clear story. Partizan made 26 of 38 two-point shots, showcasing notable accuracy in interior and mid-range play. Red Star, on the other hand, hit 20 of 27 free throws, a figure that shows Navarro's team faced a more aggressive defense but could not convert that pressure into decisive points at key moments.

The fundamental difference lay in Partizan's ability to stay composed under pressure. While Red Star opted for a more erratic strategy in the final quarter, Peñarroya's team executed their transitions better and capitalized on opportunities in positional attacks during overtime.

Peñarroya acknowledges the rival's merit but highlights overall superiority

In the post-game press conference, Joan Peñarroya assessed the victory with the maturity of someone who knows the path in the Euroleague is long and demanding. "We had good and bad moments. I believe we deserved to win, but it is clear that Red Star played very well, especially in the last quarter. Then we had many problems in attack, sharing the ball and attacking similarly to how we did before," stated the Catalan coach. His analysis was balanced, recognizing that the rival was close to snatching the victory from him.

Regarding Carlik Jones, Peñarroya was emphatic in his message: "It is clear that Carlik is very important for us, but it is impossible to win in a Euroleague like this only with him." This reflection underscores the need for Partizan to develop more offensive options to compete in the top European competition throughout the season.

Navarro laments the disastrous start but values the response

Ibon Navarro acknowledged Partizan's effort but deeply regretted his team's performance in the first half. "I congratulate Partizan on their victory. I think they were very good for most of the game. They dominated in the first half, while our first half was very disappointing," admitted the coach from Vitoria. His honesty reflects the frustration of a coach who saw his team make tactical errors that cost them dearly.

Navarro also pointed out that Red Star had clear opportunities to win before overtime and that, in extra time, two lost offensive rebounds were decisive. These details, typical of close encounters in the Euroleague, marked the difference between victory and defeat.

A minor incident marked the atmosphere before the game. According to reports, fans from both teams clashed in the stands before the tip-off. Security intervened quickly and managed to restore order, allowing the match to proceed without further interruptions.

With this victory, Partizan ended a streak of three consecutive losses, while Red Star halted a run of four straight wins. Both teams finish the seventh round with a record of 4-3, remaining in the fight for playoff positions in a Euroleague where every win is crucial.

In addition to the duel between Peñarroya and Navarro, the presence of Spanish referee Carlos Peruga in the officiating crew alongside Borys Ryzhyk and Thomas Bissuel added an extra touch of Spanish flair to a memorable day in European basketball.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Peñarroya vence a Navarro en el derbi de Belgrado