It's decisive day for group E in Eurocup, day in which we'll know who is going to next stage and who will say good bye to this competition. Three teams Virtus, Darussafaka and Partizan all have 4 points. They will all the most likely win against Trento and order on table will depend on mutual encounter. Win in this match could be crucial for both sides. Hall "Aleksandar Nikolic" has been sold out for only 2 hours and it is going to be full of angry Partizan supporters. Atmosphere will be hot and hard to play for Turk side.
Partizan
Partizan won weak side of Zadar in ABA league few days ago. Game started with dark 5 minutes in which Serbian club scored only 1 point, but in later stage of game things came to their place and Partizan won with good margin. There are to many dark minutes in Partizan attacking play and if they think to win Darussafaka they must solve this problem. Partizan shooters like Paige, Walden, Gordic, Zagorac, Jaramaz will need to setup hand really good and start to play very serious from beginning if they think about winning this match.
Serbian side played poor in attack in Istanbul they didn't look on themselves, but despite that they could end up like winners, but last second Zagorac shot was to short. Defeat of 2 points is not big and task tomorrow will be to win with more than 2 points. It's important because at the end that can deside who is going to next stage and who will end competition. American centers Mozley, McAdoo with veteran Novica Velickovic will need to stop Darusafaka's centers. They showed they can do it in first game. Partizan's Americans made so many effective blocks and there is no reason not to repeat that achievement in front of home fans who will go wild on every successful block.
Darussafaka
They are very inconvenient team who play strong defense and if referee allow that it can easily turn into something more like American Football. Very though. They didn't show much of shooting skill in first game and I sincerely hope they will not show that tomorrow too. They played Red Star in previous years and know how hot atmosphere here can be. Turks will not be frightened for sure and will try to impose their style of play from beginning. Main task for them is not to lose this game with more than 1 point and if possible to even win which would mean elimination of Partizan from Eurocup.
Conclusion
I don't expect to many baskets in this match, result will be low and if Trinkieri's play makers manage to organize attacks in normal way, which means to avoid black minutes and if referees are not going to support away side Serbian representative should win. Other possibility is that players get frighten from own fans and start to miss everything or to drop balls from trembling hands. If that happens it will be bye bye. Darussafaka will not forgive 5 black minutes in this game. "Steam roller" (nickname for Partizan) should start grinding from beginning!