ZVEZDA – PARTIZAN The Eternal Derby that could mean playoffs for the red-and-whites!

Pulse Sports Team 16:16 - 02 April 2026

Crvena zvezda Meridianbet and Partizan face off in another Eternal Derby in EuroLeague Round 35, and you can follow the live broadcast from Belgrade Arena on Sportal.

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Crvena zvezda – Partizan (tip-off at 8 PM CET)

Derby Preview

All eyes in the basketball world will be on Belgrade this Thursday, specifically on the Arena, the largest indoor venue in the Balkans, where the Eternal Derby will tip off at precisely 8 PM as part of EuroLeague Round 35.

Crvena zvezda Meridianbet will host Partizan in front of 20,000 fans. In their first EuroLeague derby this season, Partizan emerged victorious after a significant comeback, winning 79-76.

Obradović: Support us all, regardless of the game's flow

Ahead of the new EuroLeague clash, Saša Obradović, the coach of the decorated club from Mali Kalemegdan, addressed the fans, stating, among other things:

Controlling emotions is paramount; everyone understands the importance of this physically demanding game. This is a team that has been playing exceptionally well, with five consecutive EuroLeague wins being no accident. There's another, more crucial aspect: the mental approach for Partizan and us isn't the same. The crowd has always been our support, but sometimes it can also be a burden. That's why I ask everyone to support us, no matter how the game unfolds. We need to be in this game together, because if we start focusing on things beyond our control, there will be a lot of nervousness, which we want to avoid.Saša Obradović

The red-and-whites' head coach knows that Carlik Jones is the engine of Partizan's team, the man from whom everything originates:

"Many have tried different tactics against him, but he adapts to everything; he's a top-tier point guard in Europe. He knows how to create for himself and others, and those are certainly things Partizan needs. He also resolves isolation plays with high percentages, he's in the role he wants to be in and in his comfort zone, which makes it difficult for whoever guards him," Obradović said.

When asked to comment on the frequent use of smaller lineups with Semi Ojeleye and Chima Moneke at center positions, Obradović emphasized:

It's quite amusing to me, and of course, I don't read or watch what anyone writes. I challenged a journalist to tell me everything negative and potentially negative. Then it started: why is Ojeleye at the five, why wasn't this play run after the timeout, why is the shot selection like this, why was a big lead squandered. People need to understand the basics. Why are we hard to guard? These are instinct players; if you try to force them into an overly rigid system, it can be counterproductive. I'm not just talking about Nwora and Butler. They rely heavily on a certain freedom of play; you lose 'spacing' and the understanding of what a good shot is. The NBA, America, these are players who need to adapt to this type of game. Team play is learned; it's not a month-long process. The worst are those who think they know but are actually the biggest detriment to themselves and others. I believe this is how the team should play, and I will always demand that they play better defense. Our success depends on it.Saša Obradović

You can read Saša Obradović's full statement ahead of the match against Partizan in a separate article.

Peñarroya: We've changed the atmosphere and our play

Joan Peñarroya, Partizan's coach, stated in his preview of the new Eternal Derby:

At this moment, our situation is quite different because we've won many games, but especially because we've changed the atmosphere and our play. We are happy, but that's not enough. We want to improve further and fight for our goals.Joan Peñarroya

Carlik Jones's statement that they want nothing more than for Zvezda to miss the playoffs caused quite a stir.

"Carlik is a warrior and a competitor; this is a big game, everyone is motivated and excited to play tomorrow. The statement isn't that important; what's much more important is that we play strong and well. My motivation is that we will play in a great atmosphere, in front of a full Arena, and that we will get revenge for the last loss in the ABA League," Peñarroya added.

He was asked to comment on the difference between "El Clásico" and the Serbian derby.

A derby is a derby, no matter where it's played. It's always an important game; we have to control our emotions, and the only difference compared to Spain is that there, you don't play in front of more than 20,000 people like here.Joan Peñarroya

You can read Peñarroya's full statement in a separate article.

Who will officiate the derby?

The game will be officiated by Spaniard Carlos Peruga, Frenchman Mehdi Difallah, and Lithuanian Gytis Vilius. All three have already had the opportunity to officiate games involving Belgrade teams this season.

This match holds significantly greater competitive importance for the red-and-whites, who are still fighting for a playoff spot, while Partizan has lost all chances even for the play-in.