When a team records 22 losses in 24 rounds of the AdmiralBet ABA League and suffers a streak of 16 consecutive defeats, primarily by double-digit margins, it’s evident what their prospects are against a Euroleague team on the road.

This Sunday at 17 p.m., the Mornar basketball team faces Partizan in the Belgrade Arena, and few would dispute that the Barans appear to have little hope in this matchup, despite the unpredictability often seen in sports and basketball where even major underdogs can surprise.

However, Mornar seems to have already conceded defeat, making it increasingly likely that they will compete in the ABA2 league next season.

“We are up against one of the top teams in the league. Given our current situation, there’s not much to elaborate on. The quality of Partizan is evident, and regrettably, so is our team’s level. We can only aim for a fair and correct game and strive to perform to the best of our abilities,” remarked Mornar head coach Mihailo Pavicevic.

This season, Mornar has achieved just one victory, which occurred in the seventh round when they defeated Cibona at home—more than four and a half months ago.

“We’re pitted against a significantly superior team, and our performance hinges on how much Partizan allows us to compete. This presents a valuable opportunity for our young players to gain experience against a top-tier team,” Pavićević emphasized.

Partizan enters this match following a disappointing performance in the Euroleague, where they lost 97:65 to Anadolu Efes, and they will soon face Alba in the same venue on Tuesday.

In this context, Mornar might find an opportunity to be at least competitive. However, the chance for a surprise remains further away than ever…

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