Euroleague and Partizan fans: motivation and inspiration

This summer, I spent 82 days with the Serbian national team, preparing and playing qualification games for EuroBasket 2009. At the end of that time, head coach Dusan Ivkovic told me that he was extremely satisfied with my contribution, and I am very pleased because of that. I worked a lot during recent seasons and I must say that my Euroleague experience was extremely helpful in reaching this point. I see the challenge of playing in the Euroleague again this season as a special prize to Partizan for having won the Serbian League, Serbian Cup and Adriatic League trophies last season. The Euroleague is the most elite of competitions and offers another chance for all of us to prove ourselves and our place in the company of Europe's biggest clubs. It's an opportunity to make our childhood dreams come true and to give joy to our faithful fans.

Partizan, of course, has been a Euroleague competitor for years. I remember last season for the excellent atmosphere and energy that pushed us to reach the Top 16 and then the Quarterfinal Playoffs and then within one step of the Final Four. Nobody predicted success like that for us. Compared to last season, our team has changed a lot. Our main weapons from that team moved this summer. Nikola Pekovic and Dusan Kecman opted for the color green and will wear the Panathinaikos uniform this season, while Milton Palacio moved to Khimki of Russia. I know that we cannot replace them easily, and for that reason, we are going to face a difficult task in the Euroleague. But because they are gone, we cannot be considered a favorite at the moment. But that is nothing new. It is the same story as when we started last season and the season before. Our new players will have with a great motivation called the Euroleague. That motivation helped us a lot last year.

As for our group - CSKA, Efes Pilsen, Real Madrid, Milano and Panionios - well, our job will not be easy, also considering that the competition system changed. But if we prepare well and strike the right team chemistry, with the inspirational help we get from our supporters, we could be able to compete with the biggest Euroleague names - and even to beat them.

I don't want to end my first blog without giving my honest thanks to our fans. They are a story by themselves. A beautiful story. Any player who has been on the floor at Pionir Arena even once knows well what I am talking about. Our fans are giving us energy that makes us almost play in a trance from wanting to do well for them, and that transforms into victories. For their devotion and loyalty, and for being with us through the good and the bad over the seasons, I owe them all the thanks I can give.

We start this new campaign wishing that our relationship with our fans continues just as it has been. I do hope that Partizan shall prove that the best European club is ours. We and the fans have our hearts in that club. We will compete together.

POSTED BY

Milenko Tepic - Belgrade, Serbia