The drama-filled run of Allianz Swans Gmunden in EuroCup qualifying came to an end in Belgrade on Tuesday when the Austrians lost 96-81 to Red Star.

After a hardfought Qualifying Round 1 tie triumph over Tartu Rock, Swans drew 82-82 in the first leg with Red Star in Gmunden.

They went in front by as many as four points in the first quarter before Svetislav Pesic's team levelled the score at 24-24 by the end of the frame.

Pesic's team then took a 51-42 lead to half-time and extended the advantage to 74-57 by the end of the third quarter.

Never-say-die Swans poured in the first nine points of the fourth quarter, capped by Matthias Mayer's three-point play to trim the deficit to 74-66.

They would get no closer.

Andre Owens answered with a lay-up and a dunk for Red Star to take the lead back to 12 and Red Star held on for a comfortable win.

Tadija Dragicevic finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds for Red Star.

He scored 10 of those points in the second quarter when the Serbian giants got their noses in front for good.

Marko Keselj, who played for Pesic on the Akasvayu Girona side that won the 2006 EuroCup, had a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter and finished with eight points.

Owens scored 14 overall.

Elijah Palmer poured in 25 points and corralled 12 rebounds for Swans.

Allianz Coach Robert Gonnen:

"The better team won. We played good but Red Star had great shooting and played very good defense so we did not have a chance in second period of the game. I wish all the luck to mr Pesic and his team."

Enis Murati, Allianz Player:

"In the first half of the match we showed good resistance but we could not play on the same level in the second period of the game. We lost against a better team."

Svetislav Pesic, Red Star Coach:

"Another game we scored almost 100 points, but also we reserved many. We played against a very experienced team, with good players. We have a young team and we have to train more and more every day, so we can achive good form."

Tadija Dragicevic, Red Star Player:

"Good game, I want to thank our fans, they were excellent this evening and helped us to win this important game. "