It's not just about Zalgiris: Here's why Partizan's win is crucial for Zvezda

Pulse Sports Team 17:05 - 10 April 2026

The EuroLeague regular season is drawing to a close. With less than two rounds remaining, it's clear that everything is on the line. Partizan's basketball players have lost their chance to advance to the next stage, however, a victory over Zalgiris in their game, which starts this Friday at 8:30 PM, could significantly aid their eternal rivals.

Indeed, if Partizan defeats Zalgiris in the Arena, Crvena Zvezda's chances of reaching the play-in tournament would significantly increase. While Joan Peñarroya's team's match against the Lithuanians might not seem directly relevant from that perspective, it holds importance in a completely different way.

A Partizan victory, coupled with Hapoel failing to win both of their remaining two games, would secure Real Madrid a locked-in spot among the top four teams. This would allow the Madrid side to approach their final-round match against Zvezda with far less pressure.

This would make the task much easier for Saša Obradović's squad than if that game were a "do-or-die" situation for Real. We all know how crucial it is to finish in the top four to secure home-court advantage.

It's important to remember that all these calculations become irrelevant if Zvezda fails to defeat the already-eliminated, yet quite formidable, last-place Asvel in their match, which kicks off 15 minutes after Partizan's game in Lyon.