Despite of delivering a solid outing in the first game back in SEHA – Gazprom League, Partizan did not manage to stun favored Eurofarm Pelister in Belgrade. In the end 23:25 for the guests who were once again offensively led by national team players of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia - Josip Peric and Mateo Maras.

The result was levelled until the middle of the first when Eurofarm, led by Croatian national team right back Mateo Maras, stormed off to a five-goal lead (6:11). Marton Szekely was really good in those moments and Partizan was heavily struggling to find a way through to Macedonian goal. By the half-time buzzer hosts managed to narrow the gap a bit to 10:13 however the fact that they managed to score only 10 goals in the first half says quite enough about how solid Eurofarm’s defense was in the first.

Macedonian vice-champions were able to hold on to the lead until the final quarter of the game when Partizan went 4:0 in only five minutes to level the game once again at 19:19. Unfortunately for home-team fans, Eurofarm responded with 5:1 scoring series which decided the winner in this one.
In the end 23:25 – first win of this SEHA – Gazprom League season for Eurofarm but also great marks for Partizan in their first game back after a long absence in which they clearly showcased that they have a roster full of potential which will surely be a tough nut to crack for everyone until the end of the season.

Goalkeepers Andrej Trnavac and Andrej Colovic were great for hosts combining for 13 saves. Young left back Nikola Zecevic delivered an amazing performance going 5/5. Aleksa Maksic added five as well while Djordje Pisaric finished the match with one less. Most valuable player of this one was without doubt Eurofarm’s playmaker Josip Peric who scored three and assisted for eight more goals. Young Mateo Maras was spectacular with seven goals from eight attempts while Elmir Gradjan finished the match with five.

In the next round Partizan will welcome PPD Zagreb and Eurofarm Pelister will host Tatran Presov.

Nenad Maksic, Partizan coach:
Incredible atmosphere, I am sad we did not manage to win this game here today for our fans. I have to congratulate Eurofarm on their solid defense here today. It was really hard to get past them. We’ll surely analyze the game and use it to prepare in the best possible way for all the challenges that are waiting for us in the rest of the season. I wish Eurofarm all the best of course and see you guys in Bitola later this season!

Zeljko Babic, Eurofarm Pelister coach:
I have to say it was really great to play here today. Hard but a great feeling overall. Both our and Partizan’s fans were really incredible in this one. I feel like in those key moments of the match we’ve managed to deliver a good defensive performance. We were mentally strong in those most important minutes and that is, in my opinion, the reason for this win.

Uros Kojadinovic, Partizan player:
It was really great to play in this match here today, in front of our incredible supporters. We were really motivated, eager to deliver the best possible performance and I feel like we were doing really well until final ten minutes of the game when they managed to open the gap and sail towards the win. Nevertheless, this is only our first SEHA match of the season and I believe we’ll grow as a team as season progresses.

Josip Peric, Eurofarm Pelister player:
I feel like we can really be happy with this win in the end. Great resistance from Partizan here today, incredible atmosphere. It was a pleasure to play here this evening. We’re obviously really satisfied with this win in Belgrade.