News DeskDubai, UAE – Dubai Basketball made a triumphant entry into the EuroLeague on Tuesday night, celebrating a historic first-ever victory by defeating the formidable Serbian powerhouse Partizan Mozzart Bet in front of their ecstatic home fans at the Coca-Cola Arena. The win marks an incredible beginning not just for the team, but for the city of Dubai’s journey onto Europe’s biggest basketball stage.
Dominating Start and Mid-Game Challenge
Dubai Basketball came out firing, with Davis Bertans spearheading the charge from beyond the arc to establish an early 8-point lead at 18:10. The home side maintained relentless pressure, concluding the first quarter with a decisive 28:18 double-digit advantage.
The rhythm slowed in the second quarter, but Dubai Basketball held its nerve, heading into the halftime break with a comfortable 47:40 lead.
The start of the third quarter, however, saw the toughest moment of the match. Partizan Mozzart Bet mounted a fierce 8:0 run, briefly snatching the lead at 47:48.
Kabengele Rises to the Occasion
In response to the challenge, Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s team rallied, driven by a spectacular performance from Mfiondu Kabengele, whose powerful plays changed the tide. Strong support from Dwayne Bacon and Džanan Musa helped Dubai regain control, ending the third quarter with a commanding 68:56 advantage.
Golemac praised his team’s focus: “We were focused, I would say, most of the game. At one moment, Partizan came back, but with the defense we managed to get back, to take the lead, and to come peacefully to the win in the end. It is a very important win for us.”
Cruising to Victory
The momentum spilled into the final quarter, as Dubai Basketball opened with a 5:0 run, pushing the lead to 73:56. The gap soon swelled to 20 points (78:58) before the team cruised through the closing minutes to secure their historic debut win.
“For the confidence and the knowledge that we can play with everybody if we play together, this win means a lot,” Golemac concluded.
With this triumph, Dubai Basketball not only secured their first EuroLeague victory but emphatically proved they belong on Europe’s biggest basketball stage.
Next Fixtures
The club’s demanding schedule continues as they head to Monaco for their second EuroLeague game of the week. Fans can look forward to catching the team back at the Coca-Cola Arena for their ABA League opener on Monday, 6 October, when they face Split. Tickets are available online.
