By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A new-look Partizan Mozzart Bet navigating a double-game week in the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season is the challenge for legendary play-caller Zeljko Obradovic.
Following a losing effort against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv in Arena 8888 Sofia on Wednesday, the 65-year-old head coach discussed the debut of Bruno Fernando and the arrival of fellow recent signing Nick Calathes.
“Bruno played for the first time with one and a half training sessions,” he pointed out after the 27-year-old Angolan center tallied six points and three rebounds in just over 13 minutes in the Round 7 contest. “He had a good performance at one point, above all in defense. We insisted on some things for him in offense. He made two mistakes in defense in the second half, which is expected for a new player. It’s a process.”
The Belgrade outfit will stay in the Bulgarian capital for morning practice on Thursday, before returning to the Serbian capital ahead of the Round 8 fixture opposite FC Barcelona in Belgrade Arena on Friday. Calathes will be in Sofia and follow his new team to Belgrade.
“He is a real playmaker,” Obradovic said, using his previous experience in coaching the now 36-year-old point guard at Panathinaikos.
“We are not a team to spend four or five million euros for one player,” added the experienced tactician, describing the Partizan budget. “Thanks to the reaction of our management, we brought in two players. We continue to fight, with a lot of challenges ahead of us.”
With Shake Milton and Carlik Jones on the injury list, alongside Mario Nakic, his options for the one position are currently limited to Duane Washington Jr.
“It is hard to play when you have one player that can play at the point and that’s Washington, whose natural position is the two,” noted Obradovic, “It is not easy without a playmaker, who must organize the offense, follow me on slowing down the pace, recognizing where the ball should go.”
“I hope the situation will improve,” he said, “We hope Milton will be recovered next week, which can change everything. He will also need time to come back. It was not a short break. He needs practice to get his head back, understand what we want. These are not simple things.”
At 3-4, his side is one game outside the Play-In Showdown zone and a direct ticket to the Playoffs, with six teams tied between fifth and tenth place at 4-3.