Stories about Partizan - POP 35

POP 35 - "The black and white machine and the first triumph in the Cup"

KK Partizan won its first trophy in the domestic Cup competition in the 1978/79 season. The stamp on, until then, the most brilliant season in the history of the Club was put on April 8, 1979 in Niš. After securing the title of national champion and triumph in the European Korać Cup, the Black and Whites also won the third trophy of that season - the Cup of Yugoslavia.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the opponent in the final was Zadar, who made a surprise in the semi-final match in Sarajevo by eliminating the favored Bosnia. Partizan did not allow another surprise: in a packed hall at Trsat in Rijeka, in front of 4,500 people, Kvarner was convincingly defeated with 123:104.

The host of the final, Niš, welcomed the champions in a magnificent way. Everything in the "Chair" hall (6,000 spectators) that April evening was marked by black and white colors, and Partizan's boys knew how to repay the loyal audience. Although Zadar, led by Skroče, Perinčić and Petranović, put up strong resistance (they led 40:38 after 20 minutes), Partizan materialized their quality in the second half and won - 93:86. With as many as 36 points, grandmaster Dragan Kićanović put an end to his brilliant season, and in addition to Kić, the following players brought victory to Partizan that evening: Boban Petrović (14 points), Miško Marić (13), Dragan Todorić (6), Arsenije Pešić (10), Jadran Vujačić (12), Dušan Kerkez (2), Boris Beravs, Milan Medić, Milenko Babić, Milenko Savović and Predrag Bojić. Coach Dušan Ivković found himself on the hands of his players and the celebration could begin.

Balance of Partizan in the 1978/79 season. he was fascinating. Out of 35 games, 30 victories were achieved, with only five defeats. The competitions in the Cup of Yugoslavia and the Cup of Radivoje Korac ended without losing a match! Partizan became the first Yugoslav team to win all three trophies in one season.