TV Broadcast (2)
Mega Vizura versus Partizan Nis in the Adriatic League Finals.
Motivation was at an all-time high for both teams.
For Vizura, winning the Adriatic League was their ticket to the EuroCup, the second tier of European basketball. A EuroCup championship would then qualify them for the elite EuroLeague the following season.
Partizan, on the other hand, was fighting for points security. As holders of a EuroLeague B-license, they risked relegation if their performance slipped. But clinching the Adriatic League title would eliminate that worry. Sure, winning the Serbian SuperLiga starting in April would suffice on its own, but they wanted insurance from this competition if possible.
The arena was packed with nearly 21,000 fans—close to capacity—roaring in a frenzy of support, thanks to that high-stakes backdrop.
"Crush Mega Vizura!"
"You ran away scared before—time to kill those coward bastards!"
"Show 'em how scary Belgrade really is!"
Mega Vizura had shared Belgrade as their home until 2012. To Partizan fans, they were like rats fleeing a sinking ship, now boldly charging back at their local rivals.
The players warming up on the court faced a barrage of jeers.
"…"
Bogdan Bogdanovic frowned, scanning the jeers for Lee Seojun.
It's definitely that guy from before.
The Asian kid who'd thrown a tantrum about wanting to watch tryouts and got chased off by gym security.
Hearing rumors of some insanely skilled Asian suddenly joining Mega Vizura had piqued his curiosity. But verifying it had been tough.
The February game fell through when Seojun left for graduation, and anyway, Vizura was such a non-entity—no TV broadcasts, not even online streams.
It made sense. Europe was soccer's world, after all. KK Partizan might be Serbia's top basketball team, but they were nobodies next to their soccer counterpart, FK Partizan. Same as how Real Madrid's basketball squad—Europe's best ever—was an ant compared to Real Madrid CF.
Even Partizan only got TV for EuroLeague games; no way Vizura did.
He'd glimpsed scout footage, but today confirmed it.
"…Tch."
Bogdanovic scowled with a strange unease. A bad feeling that ignoring the kid back then might boomerang catastrophically on his team.
Just paranoia.
He shook his head and refocused on warm-ups.
As tip-off loomed, the courtside broadcast booth buzzed.
TV coverage spanned Serbia and Eastern Europe—natural for an Adriatic League final.
Caster and commentator kicked off per cue.
Team analysis graphics popped up on screen.
Partizan Key Players
Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG): 15.0 PPG
Geoffrey Robert (C): 10.8 PPG
Mega Vizura Starting Lineup
Lee Seojun (Swingman/SG from South Korea)
The game tipped off.
Partizan fans expected an easy win, fresh off a 14-point blowout in February.
They were stunned. Vizura's level was worlds apart.
"Pass it to me! This guy's my prey!"
Incredibly, Seojun targeted their ace, Bogdanovic, as a mismatch.
Speeds were even, but Seojun's power overwhelmed him.
Post-up from the corner, pressing relentlessly. A tactical choice to burden Partizan's main scorer, tanking his efficiency.
Thud! Thud! Bogdanovic held firm at first but gradually yielded to Seojun's backdown.
"Ngh…!"
Seojun spun with a spin move and gather step, twisting toward the rim before the bigs could help, floating one up softly.
"Whew! Hot start."
Seojun notched the first bucket cleanly.
His impact wasn't just offense. He shadowed Bogdanovic like glue on the perimeter, while also providing help defense.
Thwack! Killer pass to a cutter at 45 degrees.
But Seojun zipped in for help, sticking to Boris Dalibor. Dalibor calmly kicked out right to Bogdanovic at 45—but screech! Micic rotated fast for the mark. Danjubic helped off the open point guard, snuffing Partizan's possession.
Partizan coach Bujosevic clicked his tongue.
Different team from February. Defense level, energy—everything.
Some said Vizura now matched mid-tier EuroLeague squads. Bujosevic figured there was hype, but it wasn't baseless.
They're strong!
The gap opened smoothly.
At 13-9 Vizura midway through the first, Seojun ignited a spurt.
Pat-pat-pat! Burst to 45 degrees for catch-and-shoot three.
He attempted this as his first triple every game. Make it? Go aggressive. Miss? Drive for fouls, warm up via free throws.
"Hup!"
Swish! Off-ball screen three.
Seojun smirked before it dropped.
Splash!
The arena hushed.
"Who's that Asian freak?"
"Block him, damn it!"
"Go home, you chinks!"
Partizan fans bristled with wariness and hostility.
Serbian online communities exploded too—furious Partizan supporters clashing with mocking Zvezda fans.
Fans' curiosity cleared up fast.
Three minutes left in the first. GM Goran Kakic joined the booth as guest.
Questions flew straight to Seojun.
Kakic spilled without shock value pleas.
Partizan's front office froze in horror.
Chairman Predrag Daniloovic scowled, yelling at staff nearby.
"What bullshit is this? That can't be true, right?"
"Uh… No idea, sir."
"Check it. Any tryout emails? Gym visits?"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Seojun's rampage rolled into the second.
Fueled by single-game adrenaline, his shot was on fire, devouring Partizan whole.
Four minutes left in the half: 18 points (three threes), 11-point lead gifted to Vizura.
Daniloovic clenched his fist unconsciously.
Staff reported back.
"Can't confirm gym visit, but yes—tryout request email. Last October."
"You fucking idiots!"
Thwack! Daniloovic swung wildly, cursing. The struck staffer stumbled but recovered.
Raw fury boiled over.
"If you'd done your jobs, our season's different! That Asian in our lineup? Better EuroLeague run—no relegation panic!"
"…"
Worse, Partizan fan forums demanded front-office accountability.
"But you set the policy—no tryouts for big clubs like us. Young talent finds us naturally…"
"Shut it! Now what? How do you fix this?"
Staff swallowed irritation.
"Win today, it'll blow over."
"Already down 11? You blind?"
"They'll close it."
Confident call.
And right on cue—third quarter, Partizan's counterpunch.
Beep! Beep! Fouls piled up, free throws rained.
Jokic, Radovich, Danjubic hit 3- and 4-foul trouble. Vizura blew their 11-point lead to 3 in four minutes.
Zvezda fans screamed home cooking for Partizan's EuroLeague survival; Partizan fans crowed Vizura's soft-call woes, roaring anew.
Daniloovic calmed. Win the Adriatic, secure everything—fans too.
Asian's a loss, but fate, I guess.
Just a blip.
But—
Splash!
Seojun's clutch three amid three starters fouled out.
Gap back to 6.
"It's fine. Foul trouble did it…"
Smack! Another.
Clean catch-and-shoot three.
"Ah…"
"…!"
His fifth triple, 24 points total.
Already past his average, but Seojun ramped up further.