KABAREL #1: Zeljko Obradovic returns, Belgrade Arena braced for mayhem! /VIDEO/

Pulse Sports Team 19:31 - 12 October 2026

The new EuroLeague season brings not only world-class basketball across the continent, but also Sportal's brand-new podcast dedicated to European hoops – KabarEL. In the premiere episode, Sportal's journalists review the early campaigns of Partizan and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, their head coaches, rosters, and new signings, while previewing what lies ahead: Zeljko Obradovic's return to the Belgrade Arena and Zvezda's upcoming clash against ASVEL.

All eyes in European basketball will be firmly fixed on the Belgrade Arena this week (Tuesday, October 13, at 8:30 PM CET) as Partizan host Panathinaikos. It is not just one of the premier derbies of EuroLeague Round 5, but also the first time Zeljko Obradovic will step out in front of the black-and-white faithful since parting ways with the club late last year.

According to Sportal journalist Tanja Culafic, it promises to be an intensely emotional evening—both for Partizan fans and for Obradovic himself.

"Partizan supporters will always back their team through thick and thin, but the greatest ever is coming back—a coach with whom the parting was painful and deeply unwanted. Now is the time to show him once again that this remains his home. Obradovic might feel the emotional weight, but I don't think his players will. It's only the fifth round, and they have had a flawless start. As far as tactics and on-court execution go, there's nothing complicated here: it's early in the season, the picture is clear, and he boasts an exceptional roster," noted Culafic on KabarEL.

How will Joan Penarroya handle the occasion? As Partizan's current head coach, he might witness his home crowd giving an even more passionate reception to the visiting boss. Sportal's journalists agree that Penarroya fully grasps what Obradovic signifies to the Partizan faithful.

This will certainly not be a snub toward Penarroya; the fans are immensely grateful to the Spanish tactician for taking over the reins when few had the courage to step in. Instead, it will be another heartfelt tribute to Zeljko Obradovic...