Mega’s basketball players are the second finalists of the Radivoj Korać Cup in Niš after, following an almost three-hour game due to an interruption caused by chaos in the stands of “Čair,” they convincingly defeated Partizan and will face Crvena zvezda on Saturday evening for the “Žućko’s Left Hand” trophy – 80:58!
Unfortunately, basketball was in the background tonight in Niš. The game was stopped at the beginning of the final quarter after the referees headed to the locker room due to insults from the stands by fans, as well as an explosive device being thrown.
Only after part of the stands had been emptied did the referees return to the court with a final warning that in case of further insults the duel could be finished in a completely empty “Čair” arena.
The interruption lasted exactly 50 minutes, after which play finally resumed.
As for the game itself, Partizan’s main problem was rebounding. The black-and-whites struggled heavily to collect any ball after missed shots and were almost constantly in double-digit deficit in this segment compared to Mega.
On the other hand, what characterized Mega was incredible defensive energy. A large portion of Partizan’s shots were forced, as Vule Avdalović’s team closed everything down and therefore led for most of the game.
At the very start, Mega could hardly miss, while Partizan played the complete opposite. There were neither made shots nor rebounds for the black-and-whites in the opening six minutes. It seemed as though they had entered the game without energy.
Vule Avdalović completely surprised Partizan at that moment, inserting Andrej Mušicki into the starting lineup, who had not had a significant role earlier in the ABA League season for Mega. The young player from Šabac hit a three-pointer, played very well defensively, had a couple of steals, and together with Bogoljub Marković and Luigi Suigo gave the pink team its first double-digit lead.
Mega played at a high tempo, constantly running, a rhythm Partizan could not initially follow. Gradually, however, the black-and-whites got back into the game, and thanks primarily to Washington, the gap was reduced to just six points by the end of the quarter.
Partizan tried to seize control early in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to a single possession several times, but Mega always found an answer and repelled the surge – first through Kroflič, then through Marković. Only after about five minutes was the score finally tied following Fernando’s dunk.
Partizan soon took the lead, but until halftime the game went back and forth. However, Mega played the final minute almost perfectly, and Luigi Suigo gave the pink team a six-point advantage at the break.
At the start of the second half, Mega once again established its recognizable rhythm and fast pace, especially with easy transition points. After less than three minutes of play, the lead returned to double digits following Marković’s dunk.
Mega was not easily “disarmed,” maintaining a double-digit advantage even at the TV timeout in the third quarter. Defense was the hallmark of Avdalović’s team at that stage, while the black-and-whites still could hardly secure a rebound.
Partizan could have trailed by 15 before the final quarter had Savo Drezgić made a three-pointer in Mega’s last possession. Instead, they entered the final period in a difficult position, down 12.
1/4 | Mozzart Kup Radivoj Korać | Polufinale#KKPartizan 19 – 25 @KKMegaBasket pic.twitter.com/LtwFgJ0TAJ
— KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) February 20, 2026
Mega extended the lead to a maximum of +14 at the beginning of the last quarter when chaos erupted in the “Čair” arena in Niš. Partizan fans sang insulting chants directed at the president of the Basketball Federation of Serbia, Nebojša Čović, and an explosive device was thrown onto the court, prompting the referees to head to the locker room. The clearing of the arena was also requested.
As mentioned, after 50 minutes the match resumed with free throws for Lazar Gačić, who made both to give Mega a +16 advantage.
The players in pink did not allow the interruption to unsettle them and continued to extend the lead afterward, deservedly advancing to the Radivoj Korać Cup final in Niš.
The grand final between Crvena zvezda and Mega is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
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Source: Telegraf.rs, Foto: R.Z. / ATAImages