Cedevita Olimpija suffered a 95–86 defeat against Crvena zvezda Meridianbet in the decisive third game of the AdmiralBet ABA League quarterfinals on Friday at the legendary Aleksandar Nikolić Hall. The Dragons’ regional season has now come to an end, and they will focus all their efforts on finishing the domestic championship.
Friday evening in Belgrade marked the final chapter of the AdmiralBet ABA League quarterfinal series for Cedevita Olimpija. The Ljubljana side was seeking a place in the regional competition semifinals in the decisive third game against Crvena zvezda Meridianbet in the Serbian capital, but after a demanding and intense matchup, they fell short of the desired result. Zvezda ultimately won 95–86. Despite the loss, the Dragons once again showed great character, team spirit, and determination to fight until the final minutes of the game.
Despite the disappointment after the final buzzer, Cedevita Olimpija can look back on a season in which the team repeatedly proved it could compete with the strongest teams in the region. The quarterfinal series against Crvena zvezda Meridianbet demonstrated that the Dragons possess the quality, character, and potential to compete on equal footing with the best teams in the AdmiralBet ABA League.
The defeat in Belgrade marks the end of the team’s regional journey this season, but it does not erase all the positive progress the squad built throughout the competitive year. Over the course of the season, the Ljubljana team repeatedly showed improvement, strong team chemistry, and the ability to respond in difficult moments — qualities that provide an important foundation for future challenges.
The Dragons will now turn all their attention to the conclusion of the domestic season. Already on Sunday at 7:30 PM, they will host the second quarterfinal game of the national championship against Laško at Arena Stožice. With a win, Cedevita Olimpija can secure a place in the semifinals, where GGD Šenčur is already waiting.
GAME REPORT:
ADMIRALBET ABA LEAGUE, QUARTERFINALS
GAME 3
Dvorana Aleksandar Nikolić (Belgrade, Serbia), Friday, May 15:
CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDANBET – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 95:86 (27:15, 22:31, 17:24, 29:16)[2:1]*
Cedevita Olimpija: Stewart 5, Gibson 9 (5 assists), Radović 3, Nikolić 17, Houindo, Blažič, Ustun 7, Cerkvenik 4, Hurt 16, Škara 12 (6 rebounds), Jaramaz 11, Kennedy 2.
STATISTICS
PHOTO GALLERY
ALREADY PLAYED:
GAME 1
Dvorana Aleksandar Nikolić (Belgrade, Serbia), Thursday, May 7:
CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 101:92 (25:24, 25:23, 31:27, 20:18)
Cedevita Olimpija: Stewart 18 (5 rebounds), Gibson 19 (9 assists), Radović 2, Nikolić 11, Houindo 8, Blažič, Ustun, Cerkvenik, Hurt 9, Škara 16, Jaramaz 5, Kennedy 4.
STATISTICS
PHOTO GALLERY
GAME 2
Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Tuesday, May 12, at 19.00:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET 92:86 (18:29, 22:22, 21:16, 31:19)
Cedevita Olimpija: Stewart 20, Gibson 26 (8 skokov in 5 podaj), Radović, Nikolić 13, Houindo, Blažič 5, Ustun, Cerkvenik, Hurt 5 (7 skokov), Škara 6, Jaramaz 7, Kennedy 10.
STATISTICS
PHOTO GALLERY
*First team to two wins advances to semifinals.
