Article by David Istrate – Published on Saturday, 01 November 2025 22:39 / Updated on Saturday, 01 November 2025 22:42
Historic evening for Cluj basketball, after U-Banca Transilvania won the first ever game at home in the Adriatic League, score 106-84, against Igokea. It was a game that I especially experienced, following this team for almost 15 years, so I will write some observations.
1. Although he made some questionable decisions during the match, referee Ilija Belosevic, who participated in 3 editions of the Olympic Games, 3 World Championships, 7 European Championships and 11 Final Fours of the Euroleague, “washed away” all his mistakes in advance for not letting the game go until the Cluj fans finished the famous anthem “Glory to you, students”. If, after refereeing all over the world, in the most important arenas, the hottest players, you are waiting to hear the anthem of a newcomer to the ABA league, that says something about you, but also about the atmosphere in the BTarena.
2. Rarely have we seen quarterbacks like Daron Russell and Iverson Molinar. Speed, calmness, good decisions, quality, diversity in procedures. Flawless.
3. Jeffery Taylor. A player with 7 seasons at Real Madrid chasing balls, defending excellently against any opponent and doing whatever it takes to win. Including two unsportsmanlike fouls. And the moment when he was eliminated and left the hall to the applause of the fans was more like a scene from the Roman arenas, when the gladiators emerged victorious after cruel fights, being cheered by the people eager for the show.
4. 3/3 from 3 for Patrick Richard. Even if he is no longer the “first violin”, U-BT's captain remains extremely important to the team. And nothing, absolutely nothing causes a stronger sound in BTarena than a “triple” of “Petrića”.
5. Although I often look at the supporters with cynicism, being tempted to look at the minority and generalize, the Cluj public showed today not only that they know basketball, but that they feel the game and that, at the same time, they can sometimes detach themselves from the tension of the match and enjoy moments that “color” the entire event.
6. Alone at the press conference. Yes, I know, it's a football match, “U” plays FCSB, but the first home game for U-BT in the Adriatic League ended with a press conference attended by only one journalist. Nenad Stefanovic, the coach of the Bosnians, said a big “bravo” to the Cluj fans for the atmosphere created, and Mihai Silvășan, U-BT's technician, explained what a “nice to coach” match means to him.
All in all, it promises to be a spectacular season for U-BT, who have built a solid squad, preparing to fight on two fronts: the EuroCup and the ABA League. A season that will be more of a marathon than a sprint.
