If they had to lose one of two big matches in just 48 hours, the Buducnost Voli basketball players would probably accept it being the one that happened in the Admiralbet ABA League.
The Montenegrin champion, despite some rookie mistakes, did not disappoint against Red Star, but in the end had to congratulate one of the better teams in Europe this season - the "red and whites" celebrated in "Morača" with a calmer game in the finish. at the end of the first phase of the regional competition (93:80).
Buducnost continues the competition as the first-place team in the group after this defeat. Failure in a derby is never pleasant, but Andrej Žakelj's men have to forget it by Wednesday evening when they play their Eurocup match of the season against Burgos. Confirming 3rd place before the playoffs brings much more than a triumph over the seventh-place team in the Euroleague would.
The "blue and white" played an unusual match against Red Star, there were many ups and downs - they perhaps had a chance to triumph, but the teams from the top of the Euroleague know how to take advantage of every mistake.
Great start, then darkness in the 2nd quarter
With no points from Rashid Sulajmon in the first half, with only two points from captain Nikola Tanasković, three each from Yogi Ferrell and Skylar Mays, and darkness in the second quarter, minus seven (45:38) before the break looked like a bonus.
And all this after the "blue and white" played an excellent first quarter, practically without a mistake. Jerry Butsiel entered the match well, Djordje Jovanovic, Ferrell and Mays hit three-pointers, the offense was fluid, the defense was solid, so after the first 10 minutes, Buducnost had a nice 29:22 lead.
It's clear that Red Star is a great team, seventh in the Euroleague, but the second-quarter slump in Andrej Žakelj's team's play is hard to explain...
The players in blue scored only six points from the field in that period, and the guests first took the lead in the match for the first time with three three-pointers, 33:35, and by the break - although with a few refereeing errors - they managed to increase the lead. At those moments, Red Star was shooting from outside the 6,75 line, and Budućnost was missing and, apart from Džuvan Morgan and Jovanović, did not have a willing player on the court.
Morgan and Butej keep hope alive, but Nvora is the attacking class
The break was exactly what Andrej Žakelj's players needed, so they left the locker room with an 8:0 run and were quickly leading again.
Ferrell hit a three-pointer, Morgan was excellent on defense, and finally Sulajmon's points arrived. Five in a row, for 46:45 on the scoreboard.
Red Star had an answer then too, regaining the lead, but this time Buducnost, led by Morgan, did not give up either, and reduced the deficit from the break to four points before the last 10 minutes (67:63).
Buducnost fought until the end of the game, Butej pulled the "blue and white" with three-pointers, the Frenchman also finished in the stands in a bid to save the ball, and after Mays' layup, it was 72:71 with just over six minutes left.
There was faith in victory, but the reason why Red Star is one of the better teams in Europe this season was shown by the finish of the game. The defense of the "red and whites" stopped the Podgorica team, and the guests' offensive rebounds came in the attack, while practically everything went through Jordan Nvora.
On his wings, Red Star eventually even reached the advantage that allowed them to have a calm finish.
Buducnost with 13-3 goes to the Top 8, Red Star remains below with 12-4, and there they are waiting for Dubai and Partizan in 1st and 2nd place. Before that, a new spectacle in "Morača" and a match in which mistakes are not forgiven - Wednesday, Burg and a clash starting at 19 pm.
THE FUTURE LOVES - RED STAR 80:93 (29:22, 9:23, 26:22, 16:26)
Podgorica - "Morača" Hall. Attendance: 4.550. Referees: Pukl, Nedović (Slovenia), Kardum (Croatia).
Buducnost Voli: SULEJMON 5 (2-2), Mays 5, Thompson 2 (2-0), TANASKOVIC 2 (2-0), FEREL 14 (4-4), JOVANOVIC 8, Morgan 14 (8-7), BUTSIJEL 14 (8-6), Nikolic, Kovliar 6 (4-2), Butej 10.
Red Star: MILLER-MCINTAYER 3, MILJENOVIC, Butler 10 (2-2), Kalinic 9 (2-2), Izundu 9 (4-3), MOTEJUNAS 12 (3-2), Bolomboy 6, NVORA 21 (2-2), Odzelej 6, MONEKE 9 (2-2), Dos Santos 8 (2-2).
Bonus video:
