The final game of 2024 will take place tomorrow (12) as the Mornara basketball team competes in the 15th round of the AdmiralBet ABA League against Igokei on the road. After 14 rounds, the Barani find themselves in the same predicament as last season, with just one win, holding the last position in the standings, making every game crucial in their battle for survival.

Following a loss to Split (87:73) on Friday, the Barane face another challenging away match, with tougher games to follow. Their first match of 2025 will be against Budućnost Voli in Podgorica (January 12), followed by a home game against Crvena Zvezda, and then away matches with Cedevita-Olimpija and Mega.

“We reached an agreement with Igoke to play this match earlier, connecting it to our away game with Split. It’s always a pleasure to visit our friends, a friendship that dates back to our days in the ABA league. While off the court we share friendship, on the court, there is no such thing—only the team that wins. Igoke is well-staffed with proven players who have blended in well. They are guided effectively, thus a tough challenge awaits,” commented Mornar’s coach, Mihailo Pavićević, in the match announcement.

Mornar currently sits at the bottom of the ABA league, facing a frantic struggle for survival.

“I can’t predict the outcome. I’ve consistently asked my players to give their best and focus on implementing our training into the game. So far, we haven’t achieved that, but we’re continuously working towards it. Igokea is the favorite, and if we manage to surprise them, it would be a monumental achievement for us, though it won’t come easily,” Pavićević remarked.

Baran player Srđa Bulatović acknowledges the challenging match ahead of his team.

“Igokea is an exceptional team. We are in a tough spot. We’ll do our best to muster energy, play well, and aim for victory,” said Bulatović.

In their last game, Igokea was defeated by Dubai (92:81), and they currently hold seventh place in the standings with an 8-6 record.

“Thus far, it’s been clear that there are no easy games in the AdmiralBet ABA League, with every team striving for their position based on performance. Each match is critical for the sailor, and we need to recognize that. This game is equally important for us to conclude the first segment of the season positively. We have three home games lined up until January, and we aim to start a positive streak of victories at home with this final game, so I expect a strong response from the boys in tomorrow’s match,” stated Igokea coach Nenad Stefanović.

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