POSTED BY: Igor Obradovic
Giannis Sfairopoulos
Last season, Crvena zvezda finished 16th in the EuroLeague, ending the campaign with a humiliating 45-point loss to Anadolu Efes in Istanbul. However, this season tells a different story. The team is making impressive strides toward securing a playoff spot, with a realistic chance of finishing in the top six and avoiding the play-in tournament altogether.
At the domestic level, Crvena zvezda has been dominant over the past ten years, winning every major title—from the Radivoj Korac Cup and the national league to cementing its status as the top team in the Adriatic region. The driving force behind this success? Identity.
The Strength of Identity
Crvena zvezda has built a reputation as a team defined by resilience, a roster that consistently brings in the best domestic players available, and a team that combines experience with a high basketball IQ. The current roster has an average age slightly above 30, with the exception of 18-year-old Andrej Kostic, who was part of the team that recently triumphed in Niš, securing the club’s fifth consecutive Radivoj Korac Cup title and 11th overall.
This is a team composed of experience players with championship instinct. The roster was constructed with a clear philosophy—the backbone of the team consists of Serbian players who understand what it means to play for the red-and-white jersey. This identity is arguably Crvena zvezda’s greatest strength.
(Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/Starsport.rs ©)
Take, for example, Ognjen Dobric, who grew up watching Crvena zvezda from the steep stands of the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, witnessing previous generations battle for the club’s crest. Naturally, his passion and commitment to the team run much deeper than that of a foreign player who sees a EuroLeague stint as a stepping stone to a better contract elsewhere.
Key Players Driving the Success
Nikola Kalinic may not have always post eye-catching stats, but his true impact on the court goes beyond the numbers. Alongside Milos Teodosic, he is the driving force of this team, often making decisive plays through his leadership and game management.
Filip Petrusev has once again proven that his partnership with Crvena zvezda is far more fruitful than his brief stint in Greece. In his second spell with the club, he is again playing the best basketball of his career. Retaining him should be a top priority for the management and coaching staff, as both the player and the team stand to benefit from his continued presence in upcoming years.
Isaiah Canaan arrived as one of the biggest signings of the season, coming directly from Olympiacos at the strong insistence of head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos. He has justified that faith on multiple occasions, delivering clutch performances against Virtus Bologna, Monaco, and Panathinaikos and also was big part of clutching title in Radivoj Korac’s Cup few days ago.
Beyond these key figures, Crvena zvezda boasts a deep and talented roster. Players like Codi Miller-McIntyre, Nemanja Nedovic, and Luka Mitrovic—who possesses an exceptional basketball IQ—bring stability and experience. Meanwhile, Yago Dos Santos has matured into a reliable EuroLeague player, and Rokas Giedraitis has transformed into a defensive specialist despite originally arriving as a sharp-shooter.
One of the club’s best moves came in January 2024 when Joel Bolomboy extended his contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. His performances, both before and after injury, have showcased world-class basketball ability. Much like Petrušev, Bolomboy has found his best form in Belgrade.
The Architect of Success: Giannis Sfairopoulos
Perhaps the most crucial figure behind this well-structured team is Head Coach Giannis Sfairopoulos.
(Photo: KK Crvena zvezda)
Under Sfairopoulos, every player has a clearly defined role, and there are no egos or hierarchy disputes. He has found a way to connect with each individual, giving them a sense of purpose and molding 16 talented individuals into a cohesive unit. The result? A disciplined, battle-hardened team that fights until the final second.
A Season to Remember?
Identity is something that takes years to build and cultivate. Crvena zvezda has done exactly that, and perhaps this is the season when those efforts finally bear fruit—ending the EuroLeague drought and making a deep postseason run.
With the first trophy of the season already secured, the team now faces a grueling schedule in both the EuroLeague and Adriatic League.
The next major challenge comes on February 27, when Crvena zvezda hosts Zalgiris—a team looking to settle the score from their previous encounter.
Igor Obradovic
