Zvezda hunts 3rd, MZT 5th place

In the last game of 22nd round, Crvena zvezda Telekom will host MZT Skopje Aerodrom in Pionir Hall, Belgrade. Both teams have strong competitive goals in front of them.

ABA League 22nd round, Monday, 1.2.2016:

CRVENA ZVEZDA TELEKOM - MZT SKOPJE AERODROM

Where? Pionir Hall, Belgrade

When? 18:00

Story of the game: For the second time this season Crvena zvezda Telekom and MZT Skopje Aerodrom will meet and their clash will close the 22nd round of the ABA League. While Crvena zvezda Telekom, which is still looking for a way to grab the 3rd place in the standings and secure themselves home court in the playoffs, want to return back to the winning track after last round"s defeat against Partizan NIS in the eternal derby, MZT Skopje Aerodrom have different plans.

They have ended their crisis last round at home against Krka in Jane Sandanski and in order to stay serious candidates for the fifth place in the standings, they need another pair of points, which would confirm their excellent shape at the moment. It would not be easy - Zvezda pointed to that fact during the week, as they outplayed Lokomotiv Kuban in the Euroleague - but it is not impossible. This is what Partizan NIS demonstrated last round, but also the side of Aleksandar Jončevski, which weren"t that far from the success against the red and white the first time when they met this season.

In Skopje, Zvezda won 71:66 over MZT after an exciting game"s finish.

Match-up in focus: Maik Zirbes is for sure one of the most serious candidates for the title of the best center of the league this season and this time he will be challenged properly. Since Uroš Luković reinforced MZT Skopje Aerodrom, the Skopje side have raised in the standings significantly and it for sure isn"t coincidence. The big man is usually dominant in the paint, both when it comes to scoring and rebounding and Zirbes will have to prove if he can stop him this time and give the red and white an advantage under the rim.