Final Tournament of IPKO Cup of Kosovo is different from the other basketball events in Kosovo because in two or three days Kosovo Basketball gives all that it has to offer and like in any other Cup the winner gets all the glory and there only can be one winner.
Peja won IPKO Cup of Kosovo for the first time since 2011 and now is ready for the dream season.
In paper, this is Peja’s best season so far. Peja has been qualified directly for the semifinals of the Balkan League, has defeated Sigal Prishtina at the finals of IPKO Cup of Kosovo and now awaits Kosovo Play-offs. Looking closely, this year Peja changed its roster more than in the last five seasons, had more losses in the Balkan League than any other team in history of this competition, has been qualified for the semifinals and wasn’t considered to be the favorite team in Suhareka.
Nic Wise, who was let go from the ITU Second League in Turkey, had the chance to save the season and Peja needed a Point Guard more than anything else.
The game with Golden Eagle Ylli, in the semifinals only confirmed half of the skills of this player; Wise played only 30 minutes and was expelled because of five personal fouls. For Peja, those were the best 30 minutes of the season. The first quarter of the game (23:10) was as shocking for the players as it was for the spectators. They kept the lead even after the third quarter (58:50) and had control over the game.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, Wise was expelled and it was the teams turn to prove itself. This time the team did not fail.
Final result was 70:66, a real reflection of a drama.
Peja’s opponent, Sigal Prishtina was the reigning champion of IPKO Cup and was considered to be in a better shape than Peja, but with Dardan Berisha not injured. This meant that the defense had to be played differently and it also meant that different does not mean easier or better. Trepca was an easy game in the semifinals (92:65), whereas in the finals, they put Edin Bavcic instead of Bojan Trajkovski in the roster. That was a clever more. Bavcic made a great performance.
However, defense potential was not the same without Dardan Berisha and that was proven in Suhareka. In the first quarter, Prishtina had no easy way to cut the deficit of 13 points. All the players brought the game to a dramatic finish but without Dardan Berisha, Sigal Prishtina had no decisive moment.
A lost final and a warning of difficult weeks ahead with very hard games for the reigning Champion of Kosovo, which has proved many times that can recover and overcome troubles. This season once again has to prove that.
Prishtina returns the reputation of University
The least spoken part of the Final Tournament of IPKO Cup of Kosovo is usually the Women’s Finals. Prishtina has the most Champion Titles but under this name has ever won IPKO Cup. The last time that Prishtina won was in 2006. With Elvira Dushku and Teuta Abdullahun in the bench and other part of the players in the public, this team played against Golden Eagle Ylli, in Suhareka.
The home team proved that in mentality they are not different than the Men’s team. They started the game with the result 13:2; afterwards they were blocked in defense and found themselves with a two point disadvantage.
The recovery in the second half was impossible. Players’ quality in both teams was never questioned but the mistakes made in the first half cost Golden Eagle Ylli the game.
This was a big disappointment for the spectators of Suhareka, which this year with no doubt was the best and was expecting a trophy, but even so their behavior did not disappoint.
DSK and KOK honor the basketball players
At the final games, high officials of the Sports Department and Kosovo Olympic Committee were also present, who honored the basketball players of the final games.
In the ceremony, Aferdita Fazliu handed the Cup to Prishtina, winning team in Women’s Competition, whereas the medals were handed by Kimete Haliti and Arben Fondaj, Members of KBF.
On the other hand, Besim Hasani handed the golden medals to Peja’s basketball players. Silver medals were given by Arben Fondaj, member of KBF, to the players of Sigal Prishtina and the Cup was handed to Peja by the President of KBF, Erolld Belegu.