Partizan or Buducnost - who will be crowned the Adriatic basketball champion?

Tonight at 9:00 PM, catch the live broadcast of the first game in the ABA League finals between Belgrade’s Partizan and Podgorica’s Buducnost on Arena 1 Premium - available via the MOVE app, wherever you are abroad.

With last season’s champions, Crvena Zvezda, eliminated in the semifinals, this marks the first time in a decade the red-and-whites won’t be competing in the regional basketball final. Partizan, who defeated Dubai in the semis, is chasing a record-breaking eighth Adriatic title. After a disappointing EuroLeague campaign, winning this series has become a must for the black-and-whites. On the other side, Buducnost enters the finals with fresh energy brought by Slovenian coach Andrej Zakelj and a strong season behind them. They’re aiming for their second ABA title, the first since 2018. Given that they’re hosting the opener and have beaten Partizan twice this season, Buducnost may be seen as the slight favorite.

The atmosphere in Podgorica has reached a boiling point. Both the public and the fans are hoping the trophy will return to the Montenegrin capital after several years - but that won’t be an easy task. On the other side stands the “Parni valjak” led by none other than Zeljko Obradovic, the most successful European coach of all time.

“The first game of the finals is, of course, extremely important. Motivation, desire, hunger, and emotional control are key factors in any finals series - and this one is no different”, Obradovic said ahead of Game 1.

Buducnost’s head coach, Andrej Zakelj, emphasized the need for more focus on defense, responsibility in one-on-one situations and pick-and-rolls, as well as better rebounding. “Those are the most important things. Offensively, we need to play fast and as a team, just like we’ve done so far. Partizan has a top-tier roster, and they’re in better form than before. They have great shooters and big men who can do a lot of damage”, Zakelj stated.

An interesting fact: these two clubs have never faced each other in an ABA League final before. If Partizan defeats Buducnost, they will reclaim the title of the most successful team in ABA League history with a total of eight championships. Crvena Zvezda would remain at seven, followed by FMP with two, while Buducnost, Cibona, Maccabi, Hemofarm Vrsac, Cedevita Olimpija, and Zadar each have one title.

The finals are played until one team secures three wins. The first two games will take place in Podgorica. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, at 9:00 PM, while Game 3 will be played in Belgrade on Tuesday, June 10, at 8:00 PM. If neither team reaches three wins by then, a potential Game 4 will also be played in Belgrade.

Get ready for a basketball showdown and the battle for the regional crown of the game beneath the hoops. Don’t miss the next chapter in the rivalry between the “Blues” and the “Black & Whites.”

Watch the live broadcast on Arena via the MOVE app. If you haven’t subscribed to MOVE yet, visit our Packages page and choose the one that suits you. In just a few clicks, subscribe to the best platform for watching TV channels from the Balkans - anytime, anywhere.