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2020–21 ABA League First Division

Basketball league season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2020–21 ABA League First Division was the 20th season of the ABA League with 14 teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia participating in it. The season has started on 2 October 2020.

Season2020–21
DurationOctober 2, 2020 – April 27, 2021
(Regular season)
Games played24 each[a]
Teams14[b]
Quick facts ABA League First Division, Season ...
ABA League First Division
Season2020–21
DurationOctober 2, 2020 – April 27, 2021
(Regular season)
Games played24 each[a]
Teams14[b]
TV partnersArena Sport, B92
Regular season
Top seedSerbia Crvena zvezda mts
Season MVPSerbia Filip Petrušev
PromotedMontenegro Studentski centar
RelegatedSlovenia Koper Primorska (disqualified)
Finals
ChampionsSerbia Crvena zvezda mts (5th title)
Runners-upMontenegro Budućnost VOLI
Semi-finalistsMontenegro Mornar
Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea
Finals MVPCameroon Landry Nnoko
Awards
Top ProspectSerbia Filip Petrušev
Statistical leaders
Points Serbia Filip Petrušev 23.71
Rebounds Montenegro Marko Simonović 8.96
Assists Serbia Filip Čović 6.70
Index Rating Serbia Filip Petrušev 27.95
Records
Biggest home winMornar 109–68 Cibona
(12 October 2020)
Biggest away winKrka 57–98 Crvena zvezda mts
(20 April 2021)
Highest scoringPartizan NIS 99–101 Budućnost VOLI
(10 October 2020)
Winning streak9 games
Crvena zvezda mts
Losing streak26 games[c]
Koper Primorska
All statistics correct as of May 28, 2021.
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The season is the first to be played after the previous season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ABA League Assembly ruled that the 12 teams from the previous season stays in the league and the first two clubs from Second Division were awarded two wild cards.[1]

The Slovenian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition in December 2020 and forfeited 0–20 for all games. Defending champions Crvena zvezda mts won its fifth title following a 3–2 win over Budućnost VOLI in the 2021 Finals.

Teams

Promotion and relegation

A total of 14 teams will contest the league, including all 12 sides from the previous season and two clubs with wild cards from the 2019–20 Second Division season. Two wild cards were awarded to Borac Čačak and Split, two highest-placed teams.[1]

In season disqualification

The Slovenian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition on 17 December 2020.[2][3] Following this disqualification the league remain with 13 clubs for the rest of season.

Disqualified

Venues and locations

Location of teams in the 2020–21 season
Locations of the teams from Belgrade in the 2020–21 season
More information Team, Home city ...
Team Home city Arena Capacity
Serbia Borac Čačak Čačak Borac Hall 4,000
Montenegro Budućnost VOLI Podgorica Morača Sports Center 6,000
Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana Arena Stožice 12,480
Croatia Cibona Zagreb Dražen Petrović Hall 5,400
Serbia Crvena zvezda mts Belgrade Aleksandar Nikolić Hall 8,000
Serbia FMP Belgrade Železnik Hall 3,000
Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea Aleksandrovac Laktaši Sports Hall 3,050
Slovenia Koper Primorska Koper Arena Bonifika 3,000
Slovenia Krka Novo Mesto Leon Štukelj Hall 2,500
Serbia Mega Soccerbet Belgrade Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall 5,000
Montenegro Mornar Bar Topolica Sport Hall 2,625
Serbia Partizan NIS Belgrade Štark Arena 18,386
Croatia Split Split Arena Gripe 3,500
Croatia Zadar Zadar Krešimir Ćosić Hall 7,997
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Personnel and sponsorship

More information Team, Head coach ...
Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Borac Čačak Serbia Marko Marinović Serbia Uroš Čarapić — P.S. Fashion
Budućnost VOLI Serbia Dejan Milojević Montenegro Suad Šehović Spalding VOLI
Cedevita Olimpija Slovenia Jurica Golemac Slovenia Jaka Blažič Adidas Cedevita
Cibona Serbia Vladimir Jovanović Croatia Roko Prkačin GBT Erste Bank
Crvena zvezda mts Montenegro Dejan Radonjić Serbia Branko Lazić Adidas mts
FMP Serbia Vanja Guša Serbia Radoš Šešlija FMP
Igokea Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Bajić Serbia Marko Jošilo GBT m:tel
Koper Primorska Slovenia Andrej Žakelj Slovenia Luka Vončina Erreà Vehicle rent
Krka Slovenia Dalibor Damjanović Slovenia Luka Lapornik — Krka
Mega Soccerbet Serbia Vlada Jovanović Serbia Milenko Tepić Adidas Soccerbet / Tehnomanija
Mornar Montenegro Mihailo Pavićević Montenegro Marko Mijović DaCapo Bar Municipality / Barsko zlato
Partizan NIS Serbia Aleksandar Matović Serbia Novica Veličković Under Armour NIS / mts
Split Croatia Mile Karakaš Croatia Mateo Kedžo Macron Jugoplastika
Zadar Croatia Veljko Mršić Croatia Dominik Mavra OTP Bank
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Coaching changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...
TeamOutgoing managerDate of vacancyPosition in tableReplaced withDate of appointmentRef.
Mega SoccerbetSerbia Dejan Milojević1 June 2020Off-seasonSerbia Vlada Jovanović1 June 2020[4]
Crvena zvezda mtsSerbia Dragan Šakota8 June 2020Serbia Saša Obradović10 June 2020[5]
ZadarCroatia Danijel Jusup24 June 2020Croatia Veljko Mršić25 June 2020[6]
Partizan NISItaly Andrea Trinchieri2 July 2020Montenegro Vlado Šćepanović9 July 2020[7][8]
Montenegro Vlado Šćepanović30 October 20206th (2–2)Serbia Milivoje Lazić (interim)30 October 2020[9]
Serbia Milivoje Lazić (interim)5 November 20207th (2–3)Slovenia Sašo Filipovski5 November 2020[10]
FMPSerbia Vladimir Jovanović14 December 202012th (2–6)Serbia Bojan Đerić (interim)14 December 2020[11]
Crvena zvezda mtsSerbia Saša Obradović24 December 20201st (9–1)Montenegro Dejan Radonjić25 December 2020[12][13]
Budućnost VOLIMontenegro Petar Mijović27 January 20215th (11–3)Serbia Dejan Milojević28 January 2021[14]
CibonaBosnia and Herzegovina Ivan Velić31 January 202111th (5–10)Serbia Vladimir Jovanović2 February 2021[15][16]
FMPSerbia Bojan Đerić (interim)13 February 202111th (5–10)Serbia Vanja Guša13 February 2021[17][18]
SplitCroatia Ivica Skelin17 February 20218th (5–13)Croatia Mile Karakaš21 February 2021[19][20]
Partizan NISSlovenia Sašo Filipovski9 March 20217th (7–12)Serbia Aleksandar Matović9 March 2021[21]
KrkaCroatia Vladimir Anzulović17 March 202111th (6–14)Slovenia Dalibor Damjanović17 March 2021[22]
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Regular season

The regular season began on 2 October 2020.

On 17 December 2020, the Slovenian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition after failing to play two consecutive games due to financial problems.[2] All of the Koper Primorska results were registered with the scores of 20–0 for their opponents and were not awarded a point for the defeat.[3]

League table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Serbia Crvena zvezda mts 26 23 3 2064 1694 +370 49 Advance to the playoffs
2 Montenegro Budućnost VOLI 26 22 4 2056 1811 +245 48
3 Montenegro Mornar 26 19 7 2066 1890 +176 45
4 Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea 26 19 7 1973 1846 +127 45
5 Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija 26 18 8 2116 1947 +169 44
6 Serbia Mega Soccerbet 26 14 12 1996 1955 +41 40
7 Serbia Partizan NIS 26 13 13 2003 1903 +100 39
8 Serbia FMP 26 11 15 2049 2135 −86 37
9 Croatia Cibona 26 10 16 1897 1998 −101 36
10 Croatia Zadar 26 9 17 1804 1923 −119 35
11 Serbia Borac Čačak 26 8 18 1919 1978 −59 34
12 Slovenia Krka 26 8 18 1748 1938 −190 34
13 Croatia Split 26 8 18 1816 1969 −153 34 Qualification to the relegation playoffs
14 Slovenia Koper Primorska 26 0 26 0 520 −520 0 Disqualified[2][3]
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Source: ABA League

Positions by round

The Slovenaian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition on 17 December 2020.[2][3]

First place & advance to the playoffsAdvance to the playoffsQualification to the relegation playoffsDisqualified
More information Team ╲ Round, Crvena zvezda mts ...
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Serbia Crvena zvezda mts11111111111224466655432331
Montenegro Budućnost VOLI24323797567666555566644412
Montenegro Mornar52576333333311111211113243
Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea118652578644443322122221124
Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija7323596510810977744443556655
Serbia Mega Soccerbet35444222222132233334365566
Serbia Partizan NIS911767444455555677777777777
Serbia FMP4699810111212121112101091010111311998888
Croatia Cibona131313129889810910121212121199910101212119
Croatia Zadar1012128111112131313131313131313131211121212910910
Serbia Borac Čačak6910131313131111111211111111111213121313131191011
Slovenia Krka810810121210107767891099101010111113131312
Croatia Split1271111106569988988888888810111213
Slovenia Koper Primorska1414141414141414141414141414141414141414141414141414
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Source: ABA League

Results

The Slovenaian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition on 17 December 2020 and forfeited 0–20 for all matches before and following ejection.[3] The club played nine games before ejection. They have not appeared in rounds 10 and 11. The club was disqualified from the further competition due to unjustified non-appearance in two consecutive games.

More information Home \ Away, BOR ...
Home \ Away BOR BUD COL CIB CZV FMP IGO KRK MEG MOR PAR PRI SPL ZAD
Borac Čačak — 72–76 82–95 77–82 64–95 83–76 78–101 86–90 83–97 76–87 75–71 20–0[d] 90–69 61–65
Budućnost VOLI 86–83 — 89–75 87–68 83–63 77–76 92–64 70–62 92–79 81–74 80–72 20–0[e] 84–59 98–75
Cedevita Olimpija 97–88 95–84 — 100–75 72–89 94–86 103–92 77–69 85–79 88–93 78–65 20–0[e] 94–66 77–56
Cibona 69–64 72–76 93–83 — 66–104 93–80 80–88 78–69 73–77 78–92 75–82 20–0[f] 74–76 77–75
Crvena zvezda mts 83–63 65–67 82–81 85–63 — 101–71 69–66 88–62 92–85 93–62 73–64 20–0[e] 78–76 81–66
FMP 93–87 88–99 91–88 90–86 75–111 — 82–87 91–85 91–92 94–92 90–103 20–0[g] 96–92 89–99
Igokea 73–71 82–87 76–70 88–80 85–65 84–74 — 77–64 62–84 79–88 90–84 20–0[h] 87–68 72–48
Krka 74–94 70–90 88–95 63–80 57–98 76–97 69–70 — 76–71 74–84 69–50 20–0[i] 77–71 63–81
Mega Soccerbet 86–84 78–72 88–93 72–71 73–76 76–84 84–86 71–70 — 90–89 88–98 20–0[e] 91–75 90–87
Mornar 86–72 100–92 71–81 109–68 78–86 84–74 90–76 80–61 80–73 — 77–76 20–0[j] 81–71 77–71
Partizan NIS 78–87 99–101 86–77 87–90 85–86 97–74 75–83 91–67 79–77 83–75 — 20–0[e] 80–58 78–63
Koper Primorska 0–20[e] 0–20[e] 0–20[k] 0–20[e] 0–20[l] 0–20[e] 0–20[e] 0–20[e] 0–20[m] 0–20[e] 0–20[e] — 0–20[d] 0–20[n]
Split 74–86 78–77 81–98 77–74 60–71 86–71 78–79 78–80 74–65 87–95 74–86 20–0[e] — 76–89
Zadar 75–73 62–76 78–80 97–92 70–90 63–76 63–86 70–73 83–90 66–82 96–94 20–0[e] 66–72 —
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Source: ABA League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Results by round

The table lists the results of teams in each round. The Slovenaian club Koper Primorska was disqualified from the competition on 17 December 2020 and forfeited 0–20 for all matches before and following ejection.

WinLossPostponed
More information Team ╲ Round, Crvena zvezda mts ...
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Serbia Crvena zvezda mtsWWWWWWWWLWWLWWWWWWWWWLWWWW
Montenegro Budućnost VOLIWWWWLWWWWWLWWLWWWWWWWWLWWW
Montenegro MornarWWLWWWWWWLWWWWWLWLWWWLWLLW
Bosnia and Herzegovina IgokeaLWWWWLWLWWWWLWWWWWLWWWWWLL
Slovenia Cedevita OlimpijaWWWLWLWWWWLLWWWWWLWWLWLLWW
Serbia Mega SoccerbetWWWLLWWWWLWWLLWWLWWLWLLLLL
Serbia Partizan NISLLWWLWWLLWLWWLLWLLLLLWWWWW
Serbia FMPWLLLWWLLLLLLWWWLLLLLWWLWWW
Croatia CibonaLLLWWLLLWLLLWLLLWWLWLLWLWW
Croatia ZadarLLLWLLLWLLWWLLLWWWWLLLLWLL
Serbia Borac ČačakWLLLLLLLLWLWLWLLLWLLWLWLWL
Slovenia KrkaLLWLLLLWWWWLLLLLLLLWLWWLLL
Croatia SplitLWLWWWLLLLWLLWLLLLWLLWLWLL
Slovenia Koper Primorska[c]LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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Source: ABA League

Playoffs

Main article: 2021 ABA League First Division Playoffs

The semi-finals will be played in a best-of-three format, while the Finals were played in a best-of-five format.[24]

 
SemifinalsFinals
 
      
 
 
 
 
1 Serbia Crvena zvezda mts 2
 
 
 
4 Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea 1
 
1 Serbia Crvena zvezda mts 3
 
 
 
2 Montenegro Budućnost VOLI 2
 
2 Montenegro Budućnost VOLI 2
 
 
3 Montenegro Mornar 0
 
More information ABA League Champions ...
2020–21 ABA League Champions
Serbia
Crvena zvezda mts
5th title
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Semifinals

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Crvena zvezda mts Serbia 2–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina Igokea 76–61 68–81 76–53
Budućnost VOLI Montenegro 2–0 Montenegro Mornar 97–88 92–81 —
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Finals

See also: Budućnost–Crvena Zvezda basketball rivalry
More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3Game 4Game 5
Crvena zvezda mts Serbia 3–2 Montenegro Budućnost VOLI 82–78 85–79 71–7580–8167–60
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Relegation playoffs

The 13th placed team of the First Division season and the runners-up of the Second Division season will play in the Qualifiers for a spot in the next First Division season.[25]

More information Leagues, Clubs ...
Qualified clubs
LeaguesClubs
First DivisionCroatia Split
Second DivisionBosnia and Herzegovina Spars
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Results

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Split Croatia 2–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina Spars 70–76 84–64 90–60
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Statistical leaders

As of 28 May 2021

All players statistics from the nine games with Koper Primorska were annulled following their disqualification from the competition.

More information Pos, Player ...

PIR

Pos Player Club PIR
1 Serbia Filip Petrušev Mega Soccerbet 27.95
2 Montenegro Marko Simonović Mega Soccerbet 19.17
3 Montenegro Justin Cobbs Budućnost VOLI 18.90
4 Serbia Nemanja Nenadić FMP 18.59
5 Slovenia Jaka Blažič Cedevita Olimpija 18.52

Points

Pos Player Club PPG
1 Serbia Filip Petrušev Mega Soccerbet 23.71
2 Slovenia Jaka Blažič Cedevita Olimpija 17.22
3 Serbia Nemanja Nenadić FMP 17.05
4 Georgia (country) Jacob Pullen Mornar Bar 16.63
5 United States Jordan Loyd Crvena zvezda mts 16.00
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More information Pos, Player ...

Rebounds

Pos Player Club RPG
1 Montenegro Marko Simonović Mega Soccerbet 8.96
2 Serbia Filip Petrušev Mega Soccerbet 7.62
3 United States Rashawn Thomas Partizan NIS 7.17
4 Croatia Roko Prkačin Cibona 6.78
5 United States Chinanu Onuaku Zadar 6.52

Assists

Pos Player Club APG
1 Serbia Filip Čović FMP 6.70
2 United States Scoochie Smith Mega Soccerbet 5.71
3 Serbia Jovan Novak Mega Soccerbet 5.50
4 Montenegro Nikola Ivanović Budućnost VOLI 4.94
5 Montenegro Derek Needham Mornar Bar 4.68
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Source: ABA League

Awards

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Team Ref.
MVP
F/CSerbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet[26]
Finals MVP
CCameroon Landry NnokoSerbia Crvena zvezda mts[27]
Top Scorer
F/CSerbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet[28]
Best Defensive Player
G/FSerbia Branko LazićSerbia Crvena zvezda mts[29]
Top Prospect
F/CSerbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet[30]
Coach of the Season
HCBosnia and Herzegovina Dragan BajićBosnia and Herzegovina Igokea[31]
The Ideal Starting Five
PGUnited States Jordan LoydSerbia Crvena zvezda mts[32]
SGMontenegro Nikola IvanovićMontenegro Budućnost VOLI
SFSlovenia Jaka BlažičSlovenia Cedevita Olimpija
PFMontenegro Marko SimonovićSerbia Mega Soccerbet
CSerbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet
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MVP List

MVP of the Round

More information Round, Player ...
Round Player Team PIR
1Montenegro Marko SimonovićSerbia Mega Soccerbet33
2Montenegro Justin CobbsMontenegro Budućnost VOLI30
3Montenegro Nikola IvanovićMontenegro Budućnost VOLI32
4United States Jordan LoydSerbia Crvena zvezda mts22
5Slovenia Jaka BlažičSlovenia Cedevita Olimpija31
6Serbia Marko RadovanovićSerbia FMP39
7Slovenia Jaka Blažič (2)Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija29
8Georgia (country) Jacob PullenMontenegro Mornar38
9Serbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet37
10Serbia Ognjen DobrićSerbia Crvena zvezda mts25
11Serbia Filip Petrušev (2)Serbia Mega Soccerbet36
12Croatia Dominik MavraCroatia Zadar47
13Serbia Ognjen JaramazSerbia Partizan NIS33
14United States Mikael HopkinsSlovenia Cedevita Olimpija39
15Serbia Filip Petrušev (3)Serbia Mega Soccerbet41
16United States Chinanu OnuakuCroatia Zadar33
17Bosnia and Herzegovina Nemanja GordićMontenegro Mornar30
18United States Chinanu Onuaku (2)Croatia Zadar41
19Montenegro Marko Simonović (2)Serbia Mega Soccerbet37
20Croatia Toni NakićCroatia Cibona28
21Serbia Nemanja NenadićSerbia FMP25
22Serbia Nikola JovanovićBosnia and Herzegovina Igokea31
23Georgia (country) Jacob Pullen (2)Montenegro Mornar30
24Serbia Filip ČovićSerbia FMP32
25Montenegro Justin Cobbs (2)Montenegro Budućnost VOLI24
26Slovenia Jaka Blažič (3)Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija38
SF1Montenegro Justin Cobbs (3)Montenegro Budućnost VOLI34
SF2Montenegro Justin Cobbs (4)Montenegro Budućnost VOLI28
SF3Serbia Dejan DavidovacSerbia Crvena zvezda mts33
F1United States Jordan Loyd (2)Serbia Crvena zvezda mts23
F2Serbia Ognjen Dobrić (2)Serbia Crvena zvezda mts27
F3Montenegro Nikola Ivanović (2)Montenegro Budućnost VOLI19
F4Montenegro Justin Cobbs (5)Montenegro Budućnost VOLI29
F5Cameroon Landry NnokoSerbia Crvena zvezda mts28
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Source: ABA League

MVP of the Month

More information Month, Player ...
Month Player Team Ref.
2020
OctoberSerbia Filip PetruševSerbia Mega Soccerbet[33]
NovemberSlovenia Jaka BlažičSlovenia Cedevita Olimpija[34]
DecemberSerbia Filip Petrušev (2)Serbia Mega Soccerbet[35]
2021
JanuarySlovenia Jaka Blažič (2)Slovenia Cedevita Olimpija[36]
FebruaryUnited States Chinanu OnuakuCroatia Zadar[37]
MarchMontenegro Nikola IvanovićMontenegro Budućnost VOLI[38]
AprilUnited States Rashawn ThomasSerbia Partizan NIS[39]
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Clubs in European competitions

More information Competition, Team ...
CompetitionTeamProgressResult
EuroLeagueSerbia Crvena zvezda mtsRegular season17th (10–24)
EuroCupMontenegro Budućnost VOLIQuarterfinalsIncrease (2)1–2 vs France Monaco
Serbia Partizan NISTop 16 Group FIncrease (1)4th (2–4)
Slovenia Cedevita OlimpijaTop 16 Group GIncrease (1)3rd (3–3)
Montenegro MornarTop 16 Group HIncrease (1)4th (1–5)
Champions LeagueBosnia and Herzegovina IgokeaPlayoffs Group JIncrease (1)3rd (3–3)
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See also

2020–21 domestic competitions
Teams

Notes

  1. [a]
    Additionally, each team was awarded with two 20–0 wins over Koper Primorska following their ejection.
  2. [b]
    There is 13 teams in the competition as of December 2020 due to ejection of Koper Primorska.
  3. [c]
    Koper Primorska lost its first nine matches. They have not appeared in rounds 10 and 11. Due to unjustified non-appearance in two consecutive games the club was disqualified from the further competition and forfeited 0–20 for all 26 matches (before and following ejection).
  4. [d]
    Koper Primoprska was forfeited 0–20 due to unjustified non-appearance.
  5. [e]
    As of Round 12, Koper Primorska has been forfeited 0–20 as the disqualified club.
  6. [f]
    Cibona won 91–50. The result was overturned 20–0 for Cibona, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  7. [g]
    FMP won 84–65. The result was overturned 20–0 for FMP, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  8. [h]
    Igokea won 89–71. The result was overturned 20–0 for Igokea, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  9. [i]
    Krka won 74–57. The result was overturned 20–0 for Krka, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  10. [j]
    Mornar won 87–66. The result was overturned 20–0 for Mornar, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  11. [k]
    Cedevita Olimpija won 102–65. The result was overturned 20–0 for Cedevita Olimpija, following Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  12. [l]
    Crvena zvezda won 84–72. The result was overturned 20–0 for Crvena zvezda, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  13. [m]
    Mega Soccerbet won 71–69.[23] The result was overturned 20–0 for Mega Soccerbet, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.
  14. [n]
    Zadar won 77–55. The result was overturned 20–0 for Zadar, following the Koper Primoprska disqualification.

References

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