Crvena Zvezda–Partizan basketball rivalry

Eternal derby

Native name	Вечити дерби
Sport	Basketball
Location	Belgrade
Teams	Crvena zvezda Partizan
First meeting	6 September 1946 Crvena zvezda 21, Partizan 24
Latest meeting	21 November 2024 Crvena zvezda 77, Partizan 89
Stadiums	Aleksandar Nikolić Hall (8,000) Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall (5,000) Štark Arena (20,000)
Trophy	Partizan 49 titles Crvena zvezda 47 titles
Statistics
Meetings total	306 meetings
Most wins	Partizan 157 (.522)
All-time record	Partizan, 157–5–144
Largest victory	+41 Partizan 118, Crvena zvezda 77 5 April 2011
Largest goal scoring	221 Partizan 111, Crvena zvezda 110 1984–85
Finals history
1987 Yugoslav Finals: Partizan won, 2–0 1992 Yugoslav Finals: Partizan won, 3–0 1993 Yugoslav Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 3–2 1994 Yugoslav Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 4–1 2006 Serb.-Monte. Finals: Partizan won, 3–0 2007 Serbian Finals: Partizan won, 3–1 2009 Serbian Finals: Partizan won, 3–2 2012 Serbian Finals: Partizan won, 3–1 2013 Serbian Finals: Partizan won, 3–1 2014 Serbian Finals: Partizan won, 3–1 2015 Serbian Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 3–0 2016 Serbian Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 3–1 2019 Serbian Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 3–1 2024 Serbian Finals: Crvena zvezda won, 2-0 2013 Adriatic Final: Partizan won 2022 Adriatic Finals: Crvena zvezda won 3–2 2023 Adriatic Finals: Partizan won 3–2 2024 Adriatic Finals: Crvena zvezda won 3–0 1973 Yugoslav Cup Final: Crvena zvezda won 1994 Yugoslav Cup Final: Partizan won 2009 Serbian Cup Final: Partizan won 2012 Serbian Cup Final: Partizan won 2013 Serbian Cup Final: Crvena zvezda won 2017 Serbian Cup Final: Crvena zvezda won 2018 Serbian Cup Final: Partizan won 2019 Serbian Cup Final: Partizan won 2020 Serbian Cup Final: Partizan won 2022 Serbian Cup Final: Crvena zvezda won 2024 Serbian Cup Final: Crvena zvezda won
Crvena zvezda Partizan Locations of the headquarters of the two clubs

Crvena zvezda

Partizan

The Crvena Zvezda–Partizan basketball rivalry, commonly referred as the Eternal derby (Serbian Cyrillic: Вечити дерби), is an Adriatic League, Serbian League, and Belgrade-based rivalry between Crvena zvezda and Partizan. These two men's basketball clubs are the biggest and most popular clubs in Serbia. The two clubs both play their home games at Aleksandar Nikolić Hall or Štark Arena in Belgrade. The rivalry started immediately after the creation of the two clubs in 1945 and the two clubs have been dominant in domestic basketball since then. It is present in a number of different sports but the most intense matches are in football sections of both clubs.

The two clubs have won the two highest numbers of national titles in Serbia: Crvena zvezda won 23, two more than Partizan. Together, they account for 17 of the 48 national titles in Yugoslavia (1945–1992), 11 of 14 national titles in Serbia and Montenegro (1992–2006), and all national titles in Serbia (2006 onwards). Also, the two clubs have won the two highest numbers of championships in the Adriatic League, Partizan 7, Crvena zvezda 6. Together, they account for 13 of 20 championships. Partizan is defending ABA champion in the upcoming season.^[1][2]

In European competitions, Crvena zvezda won a FIBA Saporta Cup (then known as European Cup Winner's Cup) in 1974, while Partizan was the European champion in 1992 and won 3 FIBA Korać Cups.^[1][2]

Aleksandar Nikolić and Zoran Slavnić are the only individuals who have played and coached both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers.

The first official game between Crvena zvezda and Partizan was held on 6 September 1946 in Belgrade. Partizan won with a 24–21 score.^[3][4]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2022)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2022)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2022)

Two clubs, Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, won all national titles in the Serbian league since its inaugural season in 2006. Partizan won the first eight titles, until the 2013–14 season, while Crvena Zvezda won the next seven seasons, concluding with the 2021–22 season.

The two clubs both play their home games in Belgrade, at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall or the Belgrade Arena, while Partizan also play their home games at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Aleksandar Nikolić Hall

The Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, formerly known as Pionir Hall, is an indoor arena located in the Belgrade's municipality Palilula. The arena was built in 1973 in eleven months, by Energoprojekt. It has a seating capacity of 8,000, following an expansion and renovation in 2019.^[5][6][7] It was renamed in 2016 in honour of Basketball Hall of Famer Aleksandar Nikolić who played for and coached both clubs. Crvena zvezda play their home games in Serbian, Adriatic, and European competitions. On the other hand, Partizan occasionally play their home games only in domestic competitions.

Štark Arena

The Štark Arena, also known as Belgrade Arena, is an indoor arena located in the Belgrade's municipality New Belgrade. The arena was finished and opened in 2004. It has a seating capacity of 18,386, but the current record stands at 24,232, which was set in 2014,^[8] Partizan occasionally play their home games in EuroLeague, while Partizan play there in Adriatic and European competitions.

Ranko Žeravica Hall

The Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall is an indoor arena located in the Belgrade's municipality New Belgrade, as well. The arena was finished and opened in 1968. It has a seating capacity of 5,000. Partizan only uses the arena for their home games in domestic competitions. Formerly known as New Belgrade Hall, it was renamed in 2016 in honour of basketball coach Ranko Žeravica.

The following are the matches between Crvena zvezda and Partizan in the current season:

The following are the matches between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the Adriatic competitions:

The following are the matches between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the Serbian top-tier competitions:

The following are the matches between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the European competitions:

The following were the matches between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the Yugoslav competitions:^[d][10]

The following were the matches between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan in the Yugoslav/Serb–Montenegrin^[f] competitions:^[10]

Note: Last updated on 21 November 2024

The following players have played for both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers:^[11]

The following players have played for one club in youth system career and for rival club in senior (professional) career:

The following players have played for both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their youth system careers:

• Nemanja Kapetanović – Partizan than Crvena zvezda
• Stevan Karapandžić – Partizan than Crvena zvezda

The following head coaches have coached both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers:

• Borislav Džaković – Partizan (1982–1984, 1994–1995); Crvena zvezda (1995–1996, 1998)
• Milivoje Lazić – Crvena zvezda (2012); Partizan (2020)
• Vladislav Lučić – Partizan (1985–1986, 1998–1999); Crvena zvezda (1992–1994, 1997–1998, 1999–2000)
• Aleksandar Nikolić – Partizan (1959–1960); Crvena zvezda (1971–1974)
• Miroslav Nikolić – Partizan (1996–1998; 2017); Crvena zvezda (2001, 2002)
• Zoran Slavnić – Partizan (1984–1985); Crvena zvezda (1988–1991, 1994–1995)
• Duško Vujošević – Partizan (1986–1989, 1990–1991, 2001–2010, 2012–2015); Crvena zvezda (1991–1992)
• Ranko Žeravica – Partizan (1971–1974, 1976–1978, 1995–1996); Crvena zvezda (1980–1986, 1996–1997)

The following assistant coaches have coached both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers:

• Predrag Jaćimović – Partizan (1999–2000); Crvena zvezda (2003)
• Bogdan Karaičić – Crvena zvezda (2020); Partizan (2021–present)
• Milivoje Karalejić – Partizan (1992–1994, 1998–1999); Crvena zvezda (2008–2009)^[12]
• Milivoje Lazić – Partizan (2010–2011); Crvena zvezda (2011–2012)
• Veselin Matić – Crvena zvezda (1993–1994); Partizan (1994–1996)
• Saša Nikitović – Partizan (2004–2005); Crvena zvezda (2005–2008)
• Vladan Radonjić – Partizan (2008–2010, 2011–2012, 2020–2021); Crvena zvezda (2022–present)
• Marin Sedlaček – Crvena zvezda (1988–1991, 1992–1993); Partizan (1999)
• Dejan Srzić – Partizan (1989–1990); Crvena zvezda (1990–1992)
• Petronije Zimonjić – Crvena zvezda (1992–1994, 2010–2011); Partizan (2000–2006)
• Predrag Zimonjić – Crvena zvezda (2002–2003); Partizan (2021–present)

The following youth coaches have coached both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers:

• Vladimir Bošnjak – Partizan (1987–1990); Crvena zvezda (1997–1998)^[13]
• Saša Jakovljević – Crvena zvezda (N/A); Partizan (N/A)^[14]
• Aleksandar Lukman – Partizan (1995–1996); Crvena zvezda (N/A)

The following individuals have also played and/or coached both Crvena zvezda and Partizan in their careers:

• Strahinja Alagić – Partizan (1946 player), Crvena zvezda (1947–1951 player; 1976 coach)
• Jovica Antonić – Partizan (1982–1983 player), Crvena zvezda (1998–1999 coach)
• Borislav Ćurčić – Crvena zvezda (1950–1955 player), Partizan (1958–1965 player; 1965–1967 coach)
• Zoran Krečković – Partizan (1977–1978 player), Crvena zvezda (2001–2002 coach)
• Svetislav Pešić – Partizan (1967–1971 player), Crvena zvezda (2008–2009, 2011–2012 coach)
• Borislav Stanković – Crvena zvezda (1946–1948 player), Partizan (1950–1953 player–coach)
• Miodrag Stefanović – Crvena zvezda (1946 player), Partizan (1953 coach)

The following players recorded more than or equal to 40 points in a game between Crvena zvezda and Partizan.^[15]

Points	Player	Team	Result	Date	Ref.
59	Ljubodrag Simonović	Crvena zvezda	Partizan won, 93–88	21. March 1976	[16]
45	Borislav Ćurčić	Crvena zvezda	Partizan won, 82–75	10. July 1955
	Dražen Dalipagić	Partizan	Partizan won, 92–89	22. January 1977	[15]
44	Miloš Bojović	Partizan	Partizan won, 109–91	14. July 1963
	Dražen Dalipagić	Partizan	Partizan won, 102–86	13. February 1982
43	Fred House	Partizan	Crvena zvezda won, 105–99	26. December 2003
42	Nebojša Ilić	Crvena zvezda	Crvena zvezda won, 97–94	2. February 1993
41	Dražen Dalipagić	Partizan	Partizan won, 113–90	9. November 1977
	Saša Obradović	Crvena zvezda	Partizan won, 104–102	6. March 1994
40	Dragan Kićanović	Partizan	Crvena zvezda won, 102–100	24. September 1974
	Milan Gurović	Crvena zvezda	Partizan won, 91–89	17. June 2007

The rivalry reflected in Eternal derby matches comes about as Crvena zvezda and Partizan are the most successful basketball clubs in Serbia.

• Budućnost–Crvena Zvezda basketball rivalry
• Eternal derby (Serbia) - Crvena zvezda–Partizan football rivalry
• List of sports rivalries

• Crvena Zvezda Website
• Partizan Website