The third and final part of the Adriatic League, season 2019/2020 Part 3 team
KRKA – Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Youth and experience
Last year, Krka managed to maintain their status in the Adriatic league in the last round, beating Olimpija, in a thriller game, 62-59, on their home court. Krka fans are now hoping to have a less stressful season, especially since Simo Petrov remained as coach. So this season, in the famous Leon Stuklja Hall, the favorites will have the difficult task of scoring points against the hostile Krka.
The players who left the club are Domen Bratoz, Jure Lalic, Dino Cinac and Dominik Mavra. The players that have arrived are Ivan Ramljak from Cedevita, Glenn Cosey from Riga, Gani Lawal from Shiga Lakestars, and Leon Stergar, who alongside with Martin Jancar, represents the future of Krka’s team, given that they are both 19 years old and very talented shooting guards. The old school of the Green Troops from last season is represented by the proven forces – Luka Lapornik, Paolo Marinelli, Dalibor Djapa, Tim Osolnik, Miha Skedelj, Jakov Stipanichev, Ziga Fifolt, Jure Balazic and Marko Josilo.
The club’s goal for the upcoming season is certainly to remain in the league, and by looking at the players and their biographies, we conclude that Krka certainly has the quality for something like that.
Prediction: 8-12
IGOKEA – Aleksandrovac, Bosnia and Hercegovina
The time has come to move forward in Adriatic league
A stable Adriatic participant from Bosnia has undergone major changes in staff this year. Last year’s eight place, forced the Igokea management to try a slightly different approach in Adriatic league 2019/2020, in an attempt to reach the best score in the club’s history – the 2013 semifinals, that they lost to Partizan, while ending the regular season in first place.
Only 5 players from last season remained in the team. Darko Talic, Marko Lukovic, Djordje Milosevic, super talented Dalibor Ilic and 31-year-old power forward Sava Lesic . They signed 9 players this summer Aleksandar Cvetkovic, guard that played in his career for Red Star and for Partizan, Marko Tomas who is also well-know in region, Dennis Clifford from Alba Berlin, Vaidas Kariniauskas, Keenan Evans, Rashad Vaughn, Djordje Simeunovic, Srdjan Kocic and power forward from Andorra, Oliver Stevic.
An experienced coach, Aleksandar Trifunovic, was brought to this team to try to unite them, and we hope that he will fulfill the ambitions of basketball lovers in Bosnia with these experienced players. Unfortunately, the health condition of head coach Trifunovic, who had a mild stroke at the beginning of September, may be a problem. A wish for a fast recovery to Trifunovic, and to get on the bench as soon as possible to celebrate Igokea victories this season together.
Prediction: 8-12
FMP – Belgrade, Serbia
Future national team players on a mission
The club that is becoming famous for excellent work with young players, goes into new season with big ambitions. Last year’s sixth place for two time regional champion is not enough. Despite the team’s age of 22.7 average, this talented squad has knowledge and strength to be in the top of league. As well as most of the teams in the league, FMP has kept head coach. Vladimir Jovanovic will be the head coach third year in the row.
This summer club left Alexander Derrell, Amannuel Diressa, Cinmeon Henry Bowers, Matic Rebec and Aleksandar Bursac, and in the same period FMP made some important signings. Ilija Djokovic, guard, occasional Serbian national team player, and one of the top assistants of last year’s Adriatic League 2, excellent Turkish forward Okben Ulubay, Marko Tejic former Red Star player, and Aleksa Radanov last season’s member of the Red Star for whom there was no place in the roster this season. A few days ago, great talent from Partizan, Marko Pecarski, moved into the FMP squad.
Certainly the biggest expectations are from Alexa Radanov, a versatile player who shows his talent in multiple positions. One of the functions of FMP is to be Red Star’s development team. Therefore, the players of this club have the highest chance of wearing a red and white jersey in their future career, and since Red Star is a stable participant in the European Cups, this should be enough motivation for these young guys to do their best in the next season.
The problem with such young teams is the fluctuations they normally have during the season, due to their inexperience. If coach Jovanovic manages to keep the team’s focus, they can easily get into the fight for some of the places that lead to the playoffs.
Prediction: 5-8
PARTIZAN – Belgrade, Serbia
Will the trophy stay in the same city, but with different owner
There is only one goal for the guys in black and white this season. Win the Adriatic league season 2019/2020 after six years and thus return to the Euroleague.
Club’s president Ostoja Mijailovic has said several times in interviews, that this season there is the only one goal for the club, the Adriatic title, making it clear what Partizan wants. His words were confirmed this summer, as great players have been brought in and a great team was made. It should also be noted that Partizan has no defeat in the preseason period.
Andrea Trinchieri, at the position of the head coach for the second year in a row, brings the required continuity of work. In the past years, Partizan often changed coach, which was clearly reflected in the form of some players.
As 10 players left the club, 7 newcomers joined the team squad. Nemanja Gordić from Budućnost VOLI, then Stefan Bircevic power forward of Serbian national team, Rashawn Thomas from Dinamo Sassari, Zanis Peiners from Darussafaka, William Mosley from Trieste, Corey Walden from Hapoel Holon and Artsiom Parakhouski center from Rytas Vilnius, who last year scored last second jump shot against Partizan in TOP 16 round of Eurocup.
In the preseason games one of the best impressions was made by Rade Zagorac. The former NBA member, now in Partizan, is trying to live up to the expectations the basketball public has of him.
Prediction: 1-2
