Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

Dubai Basketball's four-game winning streak came to an end against Partizan Mozzart in Serbia. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 November 2024
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Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

  • Team from the UAE lost 82-61 to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse Partizan Mozzart

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball’s dominant four-game winning streak has ended in Serbia with an 82-61 defeat to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse, Partizan Mozzart.

Jurica Golemac’s side went into Sunday night’s heavyweight clash looking to give Partizan their first loss of the season.

However, the home side, spurred on by their passionate fans, rose to the occasion to extend their perfect record to 8-0.

The charge was led by former Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks star, Carlik Jones, with 17 points on the night.

Dubai started the contest in a positive manner, with a three-point lead through the first quarter of play.

But it was not enough, as the home team rallied with a staggering defensive second quarter that saw Dubai score just eight points.

Despite being underdogs, Dubai fought hard, clawing their way to within six points with just four minutes left on the clock.

The final score left Dubai with their second loss of the season, a 6-2 record, and just two points behind Partizan with the highly anticipated rematch already marked on the calendar.

Speaking of his team’s performance, coach Golemac said: “The organization of the game suffered a lot, we did not manage to place the ball where we wanted to.

“Defensively, it wasn’t that bad with the defensive changes in the first half. The plan was to stay close especially as there were four minutes left, but we didn’t last.”

After three away games across Europe, Dubai Basketball will return home to the Coca-Cola Arena to take on Slovenia’s Krka on Nov. 17.

Fan favorite Isaiah Taylor had nothing but praise for the Dubai Basketball supporters. “Our fans are incredible, they get into it every game and really motivate us.

“We say it all the time, when our fans get loud, the arena comes alive — they’re what it’s all about.”


Nigeria’s Chukwueze calls for AFCON to get same respect as World Cup

Updated 25 December 2025
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Nigeria’s Chukwueze calls for AFCON to get same respect as World Cup

  • “Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV

Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze believes the Africa Cup of Nations should be given the same level of ​respect as the World Cup and the European Championship following controversy over the timing of the tournament in Morocco.
Initially scheduled to take place in the summer, this year’s AFCON was scheduled for December 21-January 18, depriving ‌leading European clubs ‌of key players ‌participating ⁠in ​it ‌at a crucial stage of the domestic season. “Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV. “You have to respect the AFCON ⁠the same way you respect the European Championship ‌or World Cup.”
The Fulham winger ‍will miss six ‍games for his club if Nigeria ‍reach the round of 16.
“We understand they scheduled it at the wrong time of the year, but when it’s important, ​if you get recalled you have to go,” he said. “You don’t have ⁠any choice, your club can’t stop you and no one should say anything bad about the AFCON. Yes, they put it at the wrong time, but saying it’s not a good competition or a great competition is unacceptable.”
Chukwueze helped Nigeria secure an opening 2-1 win over Tanzania in Group C ‌ahead of their second game against Tunisia on Saturday.