EuroLeague Fever: Red Star Braces for High-Stakes Clash with Dubai
BELGRADE – The red-and-white side of Belgrade is buzzing as Crvena zvezda Meridianbet prepares to host Dubai Basketball this Friday, January 30, in what is rapidly becoming the most anticipated new rivalry in European basketball.
Coming off a “perfect week” that saw Saša Obradović’s men dismantle both Virtus Bologna (102–93) and Monaco (100–96), the Serbian giants are currently riding a wave of momentum. However, standing in their way is a Dubai team that has already proven it can handle the pressure of the Marakana’s atmosphere, having stunned Zvezda 102–86 earlier this season.
A Battle for the Postseason
With Zvezda sitting at a 14–10 record and Dubai breathing down their necks at 11–13, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win for Zvezda would solidify their grip on a Top 8 spot, while a victory for the visitors would blow the playoff race wide open.
“We have a good momentum, but we cannot fall into euphoria,” coach Saša Obradović warned following the win in Bologna. “Dubai is a team with incredible individual talent like Dwayne Bacon and Aleksa Avramović. We must stay grounded.”
Key Matchups to Watch
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The Paint: Recently crowned EuroLeague MVP of the Round Ebuka Izundu will face a massive test against Dubai’s Kenan Kamenjaš, who dominated the interior in their last meeting with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
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The Return of Bolomboy: In a major boost for the Belgrade side, Joel Bolomboy has successfully returned to the rotation after a long injury layoff, providing much-needed defensive grit.
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The Backcourt Duel: Zvezda’s Jared Butler and Jordan Nwora—who has been in lethal form lately—will go head-to-head with the explosive duo of Dwayne Bacon and former Partizan favorite Aleksa Avramović.
Venue Uncertainty: Arena or Nikolić?
Despite the game being just days away, the exact location remains a topic of conversation. The club is currently waiting for the final word on whether the Belgrade Arena will be ready following the dismantling of the pools used for the European Waterpolo Championship.
“We are making maximum efforts to ensure the game is played in the Arena,” the club stated in a recent press release. “If the technical work is not completed in time, the match will be moved to the iconic Hala Aleksandar Nikolić (Pionir).”
Regardless of the venue, a sell-out crowd is expected as the “Delije” look to propel their team toward the EuroLeague playoffs.
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