In the almost certainly packed "M:tel Morača Hall", the basketball players of Budućnost Voli on Monday want to take the first step towards qualifying for the AdmiralBet ABA League finals.
The "Blues" showed their strength in the regular season, where they were in first place, and they also showed it by winning three out of four duels with Euroleaguers Partizan and Red Star, but the playoffs always require something more than just quality.
The Podgorica team is facing the first of at least two big derbies with Red Star, which could be a guide to which team is closer to reaching the final.
"We all know this is a big derby. It's a little inconvenient that there's a big difference between the quarterfinal and semifinal games, but I don't think we need to think about it too much," said Budućnost center Kenan Kamenjaš.
This season, Buducnost lost to Red Star in "Morača", then they celebrated in Belgrade's "Aleksandar Nikolić" hall.
"We have to prepare well. We know the qualities of Red Star - they are an experienced, Euroleague team. In the regular season, we beat each other away from home, but now I firmly believe that we will celebrate at home and get closer to the finals," said the basketball player from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In both head-to-head matches this season, details were decisive.
"That can certainly be expected now. We need to be focused on ensuring a defensive rebound, on shutting down some key players of the rivals such as Filip Petrushev, Nemanja Nedovic, Nikola Kalinic, Cody Miller-McIntyre. But the others are also of quality. Whoever is better at the contact game and who plays with more energy and makes fewer mistakes - I think they will win. I believe it will be us," said Kamenjas.
Ticket sales for the derby began on Thursday, prices are 20 and 30 euros.
"I invite everyone who loves basketball, this club and the city to come and support us in the first match of the semi-finals. I can freely say the most important match, because we know that we have to defend our home court. And let the roar of "Morača" be felt again," concluded Kamenjaš.
The other semi-final pairing is Partizan and Dubai. The "black and whites" have home court advantage, and the first game is also on Monday (19 p.m.).
The second matches will be played on May 29th, and the eventual finals are scheduled for June 1st.
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