Zvezda Aim to Turn EuroLeague Momentum Into ABA Success Against Ilirija

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Group B Round 3, Monday, 20 October 2025:

CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET - ILIRIJA

Where? Aleksandar Nikolić Sports Hall, Belgrade

When? 18:00

Story of the Game: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet are back in Belgrade riding a wave of fantastic form after three consecutive EuroLeague victories. The red-and-whites have found their rhythm under new leadership following a turbulent start to the 2025/26 campaign. After opening the EuroLeague season with two defeats and suffering a shocking home loss to Zadar in the AdmiralBet ABA League opener, the club made a bold move - parting ways with coach Giannis Sfairopoulos and bringing in club legend Saša Obradović.

With a short, inspiring interim spell from assistant Tomislav Tomović in Istanbul and the team now united under Obradović, Zvezda look re-energized and determined to finally claim their first ABA League win of the season.

On the other side, Ilirija arrive in Belgrade with confidence at an all-time high. The league newcomers made history last week, securing their first-ever AdmiralBet ABA League victory, and doing so in dramatic fashion - beating Zadar at home in the final seconds thanks to a clutch shot from Edo Murić. They now aim to keep that momentum and test themselves against one of the league’s true giants.

Match-up in Focus: Nikola Kalinić vs Edo Murić.

Two experienced forwards will headline this matchup.

Nikola Kalinić has been rediscovering his top form in recent games, bringing leadership and composure to Zvezda’s front line. Edo Murić, the hero of Ilirija’s historic win, is once again expected to lead by example with his toughness, experience, and ability to deliver under pressure.

Head-to-head score in ABA: 0:0