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- The Red-and-Whites face a dress rehearsal in Novo Mesto ahead of the EuroLeague derby
- After a stumble against FMP, Zvezda bounced back with a win over Budućnost in the previous round
- A new reinforcement has arrived at Mali Kalemegdan
Krka vs Crvena Zvezda (Tip-off at 16:00)
Match Preview
Crvena Zvezda head into Novo Mesto riding high on confidence. Ibon Navarro's men have strung together four consecutive EuroLeague victories, making it five straight wins across all competitions following their triumph over Budućnost in the previous ABA League round. The Red-and-Whites kicked off this hot streak with a thrilling buzzer-beating victory over ASVEL, courtesy of Chris Jones.
The Belgrade outfit then took down Paris Basketball at the Belgrade Arena to maintain their stellar form. Remarkably, this run was achieved without a recognized natural center. Johnathan Motley has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Ebuka Izundu sprained his ankle against Budućnost and sat out the EuroLeague double-round week.
However, Izundu is back in contention for this clash. The Red-and-Whites confirmed his availability, though Motley, Stefan Miljenović, and Semi Ojeleye have remained in Belgrade. Ojeleye is being rested for the trip to Novo Mesto to keep him fresh for the upcoming Eternal Derby.
Zvezda boast a dominant record in this matchup, having won 23 of the 28 encounters between the two sides. The Belgrade giants are currently on a nine-game winning streak against Krka and will look to keep that momentum going at the iconic Leon Štukelj Hall.
What Navarro Said Ahead of Krka
"We are dealing with a demanding schedule after two tough EuroLeague fixtures, and we still have injury concerns. However, we have an obligation to keep winning, especially after a disappointing start in this competition. We want to deliver a strong performance in Novo Mesto," said Ibon Navarro.
Nikola Đurišić, who delivered an impressive showing against Paris, also looked ahead to the contest.
"Novo Mesto is never an easy place to play if you don't approach the game with the right mindset. We are in a great run of form and want to continue on this path, as confidence is built primarily through strong performances and victories," stated Nikola Đurišić.
Krka Coach's Take
Krka head coach Domenik Zevnik also shared his thoughts ahead of the clash.
"Crvena Zvezda are coming to town, and their quality needs no introduction. We will try to approach the game just as we did against Budućnost—relaxed and determined to disrupt their plans for as long as possible. I invite all our fans to come out, as their support makes a massive difference. An opponent of this caliber doesn't visit Novo Mesto every week," said Domenik Zevnik.
Galin Smith also previewed the upcoming encounter.
"Crvena Zvezda are widely known as one of the most talented and physically imposing teams in the league. We expect a demanding clash, but we cannot back down from the challenge. We have plenty of quality ourselves, and we must focus on the aspects we can control: maintaining high energy and effort for the full 40 minutes, which is crucial against a team like this. If we do that, things will fall into place. We urge our fans to come out and support us, as their energy gives us extra strength on the court," added Galin Smith.
Where to Watch Live on TV
The matchup between Krka and Crvena Zvezda will be broadcast live on Arena Premium 2. Fans unable to watch the broadcast can follow all the action via Sportal's live blog.
ABA League Standings
VIDEO: Zvezda overpower resilient Paris as Red-and-Whites extend winning streak!
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