Outdoors and in front of almost 8,000 people, an unusual atmosphere in basketball. Flares and fireworks illuminated the pavilion in Belgrade where Partizan and Fuenlabrada played a friendly match that celebrated a historic brotherhood. Behind that story lies a mythical Partizan that 31 years ago surprised all of Europe.
In 1991, the Balkan War prevented Partizan from continuing to compete in the European Cup at home in Belgrade. And in the search for a temporary home, Fuenlabrada's offer appeared for them to use the Fernando Marín pavilion. Far from home and on Spanish soil, the Serbs wove their greatest story to date: they won their first (and only so far) European Cup in 1992.
That is why Fuenlabrada is fondly remembered from Belgrade, and the reason why both teams have already celebrated the anniversary of that tremendous feat on two occasions. In 2012 the 20 years arrived and in 2022 the celebration of three decades of the legend. Given this, Partizan visited Fuenlabrada, but now wanted their Spanish brothers to return the visit. And what a visit.
The Stadion Tasmajdan was the chosen site. An unusual open-air pavilion that was the scene of one of the best atmospheres seen in sport. There was little need for artificial lighting as the light was provided from the stands with dozens of flares that left spectacular images in Belgrade.
The result didn't matter much either. 93-63 marked the score at the end of the friendly, with victory for the locals. But the news was in the stands, where the fans made clear their love for the Spanish city. "Deeply grateful to Fuenlabrada" could be read among the crowd, and tattooed on the track stood out a phrase that will remain for eternity: "Partizan de Fuenlabrada."
A meeting that goes beyond sport. A courtesy marked the history of two clubs that could share few things in common. More than two thousand kilometers separate Fuenlabrada from Belgrade, but the closeness between the two cities goes beyond distances. Now we will have to wait and see what new madness they have prepared to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the eternal Partizan de Fuenlabrada.
