Crvena Zvezda Belgrade wins ABA League three peat
Serbian heavyweight Crvena Zvezda Belgrade reclaimed the Adriatic League (ABA League) for the third consecutive year with a comfortable 61-77 road win over Cedevita Zagreb. The win came in the third game of the finals series, giving the current Serbia league champs a clean sweep to win the title.
Crvena Zvezda has eased through this finals series. After recording two cruising home wins in Game 1 and Game 2, there was a chance Cedevita could prove a threat at home. However, some things have become clear this term in the ABA League.
EuroLeague experience has been hugely beneficial for Crvena Zvezda. The club is playing against the cream of European Basketball week in and week out. The result has seen the Belgrade team simply pull away from the rest of the Adriatic teams. There is now a noticeable gulf in class and Crvena Zvezda is establishing itself amongst the continent’s elite.
However, it is worth remembering that the club’s success is still relatively recent. In the modern era, it has been Crvena Zvezda’s great rival Partizan Belgrade that has tasted the most success. Indeed, Partizan still holds the record for most ABA League wins, six compared to Crvena Zvezda’s three. Also, Partizan also won the competition five consecutive years between 2007 and 2011.
Still, there is no doubt which club is the current king of Serbian hoops.
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Cedevita Zagreb vs. Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, 61-77
Cedevita started the game well enough, but the defending champs were always able to stay ahead. Through the first quarter Crvena Zvezda led 18-22. The pattern continued in the second frame as the visitors continued to look solid in defence and offence. Through the long break, the EuroLeague club took a 39-46 advantage into the locker room.
The scoring stopped considerably in the third act, especially for the hosts. The Zagreb contingent managed just 9 points in the third act, allowing the champs to extend to 49-65 through thirty minutes. The contest was over, and the fourth quarter showed it as the home teams claimed the frame 13-12.
Deon Thompson led the win with 14 points, while Nate Wolters added 11 points.
Toni Katic was the only double digit scorer in the losing effort, he claimed 12 points.