Partizan Igokea Belgrade, 2008-09 team profile
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 The growing aspirations of Partizan Igokea Belgrade to rejoin Euroleague nobility are as clear as ever heading into the 2008-09 season. Partizan played its strongest role of the decade in last season's Euroleague, reaching the Quarterfinal Playoffs by knocking out the defending champions from Panathinaikos in an effervescent performance that inspired fans well beyond Belgrade. Later, after Partizan won its seventh consecutive domestic crown, the club unveiled "007" t-shirts, a reference to the fictional secret agent James Bond that was quite fitting for a club that has a well-guarded formula to consistently develop young stars. In so doing, Partizan is keeping up a deep tradition of excellence based on homegrown players. Partizan started collecting international fame with Korac Cup trophies in 1978, 1979 and 1989 and a Euroleague semifinals appearance in 1988, the first year of the Final Four era. In 1992, Partizan joined the pantheon of continental champions when another of its youthful teams finished with a miraculous buzzer-beater by Sasha Djordjevic to win the club's first – and to date only – Euroleague title. At home, Partizan remained a steady power amid sharp competition, winning cups and titles at a steady clip, while the club's European standing remained high through another Final Four appearance in 1998.
2007-08 RESULTS | Euroleague | R. Season | 6-8 | Top 16 | 4-2 | Playoffs | 1-2 |
| Adriatic League | R. Season | 24-2 | Playoffs | Champion |
| Serbian League | R. Season | 12-2 | Playoffs | Champion | Cup | Champion |
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In recent years, Partizan has collected its seven domestic titles in a row by depending largely on homegrown talent, making its achievements even more noteworthy. Indeed, while adding trophies to an already crowded trophy case, Partizan continues to develop players like few clubs anywhere. A young nucleus of talented locals inspired Partizan's latest heroics, too. In the 2006-07 season, after years of trying, Partizan muscled its way into the Top 16 by taking a clutch road win against eventual Euroleague champion Panathinaikos. Partizan continued its strong play after that, topping FMP for its first-ever Adriatic League crown before winning the Serbian League again by handling archrival Crvena Zvezda in the playoff finals. Last season, Partizan managed to get even better, riding the spectacular play of Nikola Pekovic and Milt Palacio back into the Top 16, where its decisive win over Panathinaikos sent Partizan to the Quarterfinal Playoffs, its highest finish in Europe in almost a decade. Partizan fell one victory short of a Final Four return when it lost Game 3 of the playoffs to Tau Ceramica. Nonetheless, Partizan finished off a special season by lifting three trophies: the Adriatic League, Serbian Cup and Serbian championship. As every season, the upcoming 2008-09 campaign presents itself as another opportunity for Partizan to inspire young players and fans everywhere with a new quest for glory that accepts no limits.
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Euroleague.net
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