The quarterfinals are played to two wins. The second game is on March 25 (20) in Tuzla, and the eventual winner is on April 1 (20) in Nikšić. The winner of this series will play in the semifinals against the better team from the series where Zlatibor and TFT meet.
"We lost that previous game. I don't think we were lucky then, on the other hand they hit a lot of difficult three-point shots. We may have been disturbed by some pressure, because it was a match for first place. But all that is behind us. This is something completely new, playoff basketball is completely different. I'm pretty sure we'll be ready. I'm sure it will be a good series and good basketball with, I believe, a positive outcome. We're entering this game with maximum ambition, with a lot of motivation and energy. We've been working and preparing for this. We're facing a good and experienced team, which on paper is probably more experienced than us," said coach Marko Simonović in the match announcement.
At the previous match, the atmosphere in the hall was phenomenal, the fans gave great support to the boys, and now it's time to once again send a great image to the region and show that Nikšić is a city of basketball.
"The atmosphere against Sloboda in the previous match was great. I hope we can do it again. I think these guys and this club deserve it. We have already done a lot of things this season. With three rounds left, we achieved our goals in the Montenegrin league, even surpassed them, and in the ABA2 league, we also surpassed our goals. These guys really deserve support," said Simonović.
Captain Filip Barović also points out that the support in the last game against Sloboda was great.
"There was great support at the previous game. I hope it will be the same now. Let us respond and celebrate together after the game," said Barović.
The team is ready for the playoffs.
"They strengthened their center position, and we have strengthened ourselves as well. We have a good match ahead of us - to correct the mistakes from the previous match, justify our role as favorites on home soil and, I hope, record a victory. After the previous defeat, we made a serious analysis, some mistakes should not be repeated. I think we will be ready to meet the tasks," said Barović.
Meanwhile, American point guard Kwame Vaughan arrived in Sutjeska.
"We weren't planning on bringing in any players. However, Andrej Vulević's injury disrupted us. Andrej was injured the night before the previous match against Sloboda and that disrupted us during the match itself. We had to react quickly, and that's difficult in mid-March. We managed to find a quality player, with a lot of experience. I think he will help us, he will be good for the team," Simonović concluded.
THE MATCH WILL ALSO HAVE A HUMAN TOUCH
The ABA2 League quarterfinal match between Sutjeska and Sloboda also carries special significance, as it will be organized as a humanitarian action.
"Basketball club Sutjeska Elektroprivreda informs the public that the match against Sloboda, on Wednesday (20), in the quarterfinals of the ABA2 league, will have a humanitarian character.
Donation boxes will be placed at both entrances to the Sports Center, and all proceeds will be forwarded to the "Virtus" Youth Club for Young People with Developmental Disabilities.
"Our club will also participate in the action, and this is also an opportunity to once again show our humane side," Sutjeska said.
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