Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
Basketball in the region got a milestone chapter kicked off in style on Sunday, and it could not get any better when the Dubai Basketball club announced their birth and arrival, both, on the big stage in style.
A packed Coca-Cola Arena saw the debutants in the elite Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) league shock the defending champions Red Star Belgrade 86-84 on the opening night of the season.
Fans from all over the world – expats and locals, young and old – got every reason to cheer their new home team, as Dubai Basketball made history by becoming the first UAE team to play on the European circuit.
Their passion and support erupted in a vibrant, action-filled atmosphere in the thrilling season opener. With a team-first mentality that was palpable from tip-off to the final buzzer, the hosts strut out off the court in a shock, but welcome result.
This is how we do 🏀
— Dubai Basketball Club (@dubaibasket) September 22, 2024
History made ✔️#DubaiBasketball #YallaDB #1City1Team #ABALeague pic.twitter.com/gFm22j78Sq
An elated Dubai Basketball coach Jurica Golemac described the result as a “dream come true” and had nothing but praise for his players. “All the credit goes to the organisation and all the players who gave everything in this game. They really battled hard on the court, and we showed our character, and we won the game.
“I really want to congratulate the fans as they came in large numbers and gave us a lot of energy and I hope more fans will continue to come to Coca-Cola Arena during the season as it’s going to be very hard to beat us here if they are here in large numbers. I am sure this is the start of something beautiful.”
Red Star Belgrade scored the first points of the game, but it would mark the only time the visitors held a lead, as Dubai dominated the pace, closing out the first quarter with a commanding 25-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, marked by a half-court buzzer-beater that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The competition heated up in the second half, as the champions of the past season made a furious comeback push that brought the game within two points, with only a few ticks of the game clock remaining.
But stellar defence in critical moments, along with game-changing buckets in the clutch by Nate Mason (18pts), Awudu Abass (17) and team captain, Klemen Prepelic (16), sealed off the opening-night win for Dubai Basketball.
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Prior to the historic buzzer announcing the match start, Faiz the Falcon was unveiled as Dubai Basketball’s mascot for the first time, as he took pictures and interacted with the home fans.
At half time, Norwegian hip-hop and urban dance sensation, and winners of “Norway’s Got Talent”, Quick Style, took to the court and delivered an incredible dance performance, wowing fans and culminating in a standing ovation.
With a full ABA Season of excitement still to come, Dubai Basketball will play their next league game away against Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia next weekend, before hosting Serbia’s KK Mega on October 5. The team has been in setup mode since last year after being founded by UAE entrepreneur Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah.
The franchise has assembled a strong roster of players with the team represented by eight countries including the Philippines, Serbia, Türkiye, United States, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Turkey, Latvia and Italy.
