Dubai, 7 April 2025: Dubai Basketball extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games in the ABA League with a dominating 92:68 victory over Croatian side Zadar in Round 26 at Coca-Cola Arena.
The game tipped off with Zadar finding their rhythm early, securing a narrow lead against ABA League’s newest addition. Despite Zadar’s opening burst, the first quarter saw an intense end-to-end game, with Dubai Basketball responding quickly to every point. A few early defensive lapses offered Zadar opportunities to edge forward, but the UAE-based teams’ unshakeable defence halted any plans for a comeback, finishing the quarter nine points ahead.
Momentum swung decisively in Dubai’s favour at the start of the second quarter. Radošević opened the scoring with a layup, followed by a steal and conversion from Dangubić that ignited the home crowd. Closing the second half on a high, Dubai Basketball took off with a relentless 9-point run. A three-pointer from the teams’ sharpshooter extended the lead to 20 points, with another half yet to play.
Play of the game was sealed just two minutes into the second quarter when fan favourite shooting guard, Danilo Andušić laid the perfect assist to fellow Serbian forward, Nemanja Dangubić for a perfectly executed dunk.
Dubai Basketball coach Jurica Golemac commented on the win, “I would say [the team] understood what we were telling them in the preparation - that Zadar is a very serious team. And we really, really had to fight. We were physical, and this is the only way you can respond to a team like Zadar. In the end, the win looked easy, but the game was a battle.”
“This is another game won, and now we move on, setting our eyes on the next one in Montenegro. This was a tough game, and I would like to congratulate the players for being able to respond in the way that they did. Their performance is what we expect in every one of our games.”
With the roar of the Croatian fans engulfing the travelling team, Zadar’s guard, Mihailovic, impressed both the home and away crowds, leading his team with 21 points in a strong individual showing of over 35 minutes of play.
In a fitting finale, Thirdy Ravena entered with three minutes remaining and capped off the night with the game’s final points, sending the crowd into a frenzy of celebration as they celebrated the teams’ ninth straight win. With only four rounds left before the ABA League playoffs, Dubai Basketball sit in a strong position and continue to prove their place on an international stage.
Dubai Basketball heads to Europe for their next fixture against Montenegro’s Mornar on 12th April for their fourth-to-last game in the ABA League regular season.
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