By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After the chaotic Belgrade derby played in the ABA League and won by Dusko Ivanovic’s team, Partizan and Crvena Zvezda will meet once again on Thursday in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Mathias Lessort, who played with Partizan’s rivals in the 2017-18 season, talked before the EuroLeague clash and after the ABA League win against Buducnost. “The victory against Buducnost will mean absolutely nothing if we don’t repeat the same against Zvezda. Now we had an appetizer, but the main course on the menu comes on Thursday”, he said in an interview with Mozzart Sport.
“We are a real team that rejoices in success, no matter who scores points, who is on the floor, we will always show joy and support. We’ve got each other’s backs. We had to come back with victories, primarily because of the team’s self-confidence, to show ourselves how we can play”, the French center added.
The former AS Monaco player has been dominant in his first EuroLeague season with Zeljko Obradovic, averaging 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, shooting 68.8% inside the area.
Mathias Lessort wasn’t the only one giving his thoughts before the game against Crvena Zvezda. Uros Trifunovic talked about it as well. “The victory against Buducnost lifted us before an important derby in the EuroLeague. We showed that we can also play defense at a high level. It’s not something we haven’t done this season on several occasions, but I believe we can do it every game. We work on that, every day, behind closed doors. I believe in this team, and I think the rest of my teammates think the same as me”, he said.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague