Partizan won Zeleznicar 3-1 in a SSl round 23 game with opening goal scored by Bazdar followed by Natcho`s brace – all in a first half.
Natcho extended his Partizan contract last week and we spoke to seasoned Israeli playmaker after the Zeleznicar game.
“All matches played before big derby game are difficult, I`ve been here for five years and I know what I`m talking about – you start thinking about the derby game, you lose your focus for couple of seconds and the troubles start. Therefore, it was really important we start the game in a strong fashion but we lost it a bit after we scored the opener although it was good performance overall and now we are ready for the Eternal derby match”, said Natcho.
Goalie Krunic deputized for suspended Jovanovic.
“Krunic is a good lad and a goalkeeper! It`s hard when you make your Partizan debut, especially if you are a goalie, as the pressure is enormous and you are aware there`s no mistake allowed. Jovanovic is our first-choice keeper and he`s excellent in what he does but it`s important when you have a keeper you can rotate him with”.
There were more than seven thousand spectators this time around.
“I hope there`ll be more of them next time around. They are our strength and energy, we always need them! Big thanks to all of them and we want them in bigger number in the future”.
Partizan basketball players showed up at the stands to support our team. You do the same, watching them play Euroleague. How important it is to you?
“At the end of the day, they are all here for Partizan, one club, one name! We try to be one big family, we are all Partizan. I told our basketball friends they should come to see us play more often as they are a good luck charm to us, especially to me. I`ll start paying them to come over more often. After all, it`s great for all of us, we all enjoyed tonight”.
You also had a support from your home country?
“Yes, young Israeli national team basketball players were there and it was a joy to invite them to watch our game and good atmosphere on the stands”, said Bibars Natcho.
