The next test in front of 20,000 fans: The Belgrade Arena will once again be packed when the Bayern basketball team appears there on Friday evening. Hosts Red Star will face Munich’s surprise team of the current EuroLeague season (8:3 wins) for the twelfth matchday and could even their record (5:6).
Tip-off is at 8 PM (live on MagentaSport). Bayern's next home game will then take place on Sunday (Dec 1, 6 PM) against Berlin-conquerors Rasta Vechta at the BMW Park. The defending champion will also face them in the Cup quarterfinals (Dec 9).
Filip Petrusev transferred on loan from Olympiakos to Red Star. | © Srdjan Stevanovic
New Signing Petrusev Immediately a Top Scorer
The Munich team, led by Gordie Herbert, can expect a highly motivated opponent in the Serbian capital. Last week, Red Star suffered an unexpectedly clear 77:89 defeat in the first EuroLeague derby against Partizan and Izzy Bonga. Even 20 points from Filip Petrusev, who joined Olympiakos Piraeus after a stint in the NBA and was loaned back to his homeland in October, couldn't prevent the loss in this "home game."
The team shares the arena and an intense rivalry with Partizan, which has led to significant investments by both clubs in recent years. Red Star, still coached by Greek Ioannis Sfairopoulos, bolstered its roster in the summer with the return of Nikola Kalinic (after five years at Fenerbahce/9.9 PPG), U.S. guard Isaih (from Olympiakos/10.5 PPG), and Codi Miller-McIntyre (Baskonia/9.4 PPG, 5.2 APG). After Petrusev (14.0 PPG), center Joel Bolomboy (12.5) has been the most consistent scorer. Local veterans like Nemanja Nedovic (10.1) and, of course, playmaker Milos Teodosic (37/5.6) bring extra emotion to the game.
"We’ll Have to Give It Our All"
"Red Star started the EuroLeague season very well overall. Recently, they’ve had some tough, close games. They have a very strong offensive team with some great shooters. It’s going to be another big challenge for us, in a unique atmosphere that I, as a coach, am personally really looking forward to."
FCBB national player Oscar da Silva is also eagerly anticipating the away trip: "Playing in Belgrade is always very challenging. Red Star made ambitious reinforcements during the offseason; they have a very talented and deep roster. For us to win, we’ll have to give absolutely everything we’ve got."
The personnel situation for the German champions remains unchanged. Captain Vladimir Lucic (calf) is still training individually, while world champion Niels Giffey (finger surgery) has resumed limited team training this week.