Roll Call

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 8 of the BKT EuroCup, and who might be missing in action.

Round 8: Pre-game quotes and injury reports

## Wednesday, November 13

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (18:00 CET)

**Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach**

"It will be a game just like any other in the EuroCup. I mean, I am sure it will be a very hard game. Even though they do not have the consistency they are looking for, we know how good they can be. We are in the same situation, we do not have the consistency we want. They are a tall team, they play an aggressive type of basketball, with educated players. Against Turk Telekom and Cedevita they played well. Some players will be missing for us, but we will fight for a victory. We want a victory in order to compete for the playoffs."

**Adam Mokoka, U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard**

"Definitely it will be a tough game. We know they can fight, having big size and energy. It will be a special feeling to see Andrija Stipanovic, but we know we cannot give them any chances. We need to win, this is our expectation."

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria (18:00 CET)

\--

### ratiopharm Ulm vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

\--

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (19:00 CET)

**Yonatan Alon, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem head coach** 

"We will face a very, very tough and highly trained opponent. A team that made it to the finals last year, and it will be a good game."

**Jeremy Morgan, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard**

"Anytime you are playing a good team it’s gonna be a fight and it’s a big game so that’s why we just got to come ready to fight. it’s coming down to the little things, It’s gonna come down to offensive rebounds, 50-50 balls and those are the little things that we have to get on our side."

**Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach**

"The Hapoel Jerusalem team is a serious competitor with good defense and team play. It's a new challenge that awaits us, and it's going to be a difficult game again. We will have to put in the intensity for this away game."

**Brandon Paul, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse guard**

"Tomorrow is an important game against a talented team that has a somewhat similar style of play to us, it will be a challenge for us, and we’re looking forward to continuing our sense of urgency on the road!" 

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (20:00 CET)

**Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach**

"Finally, we're back to playing at home after a series of very tough away games. We’re improving day by day as our players recover. Our fans will help us in this game. Turk Telekom is a very strong and well-coached team; they've strengthened with Angola and Smith, two fantastic players. They are capable of playing different styles of basketball, both offensively and defensively. They're truly a solid team."

**Jordan Parks, Umana Reyer Venice forward**

"We want to keep growing and building our identity. We came very close to two important wins on the road in our recent games. Now we have a deeper rotation and we need to be ready. We want to keep fighting and turn our season around. Our fans are very important to us, and we're happy to be back playing at home. In difficult times, with so many injuries and high expectations, our supporters are a resource that gives us courage and energy. So, we thank all the fans who always support us; we play for this jersey and for them. We want to offer fun, entertainment, and a lot of love. I hope there will be many fans at Taliercio; their energy will help us."

**Injury report, Reyer:** Xavier Munford (knee surgery) is out; Tyler Ennis (sprained knee) is a game-time decision.

### Joventut Badalona vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (20:30 CET)

\--

## Tuesday, November 12

### Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (18:00 CET)

**Alessandro Magro, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius head coach**

"They are probably one of the best teams in Europe right now. They won against Hapoel, they won against Joventut, and they are the first with a 7-0 record in the Italian League, so they have great confidence. The Italian team with Italian coach. The coaching and the basketball style are similar to ours, so the game will be pretty interesting to watch."

**Anthony Cowan, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius guard**

"It's definitely going to be an up-and-down game. It's a very important game for both teams. They obviously play really well in their Italian League, so it's important for us to pay attention to details and hopefully get a big home game win in front of our fans."

**Paolo Galbiati, Dolomiti Energia Trento head coach**

“On Tuesday we will face a team in great shape, masterfully coached by a top-level coach that we know very well. They are a tough and very physical team, capable of winning both through great offensive plays and through solid defense. We will have to regenerate, recharge our batteries and take the field with the right energy to play our game."

**Eigirdas Zukauskas, Dolomiti Energia Trento forward**

"The game against Wolves will be very challenging, especially on a difficult court that I know very well. They are going through a great moment of form, with six consecutive wins between league and EuroCup, including prestigious wins against Zalgiris and Gran Canaria. To compete on such a hostile ground and try to win, we will have to express our best version and give our best in every aspect of the game."

### Trefl Sopot vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (19:00 CET)

**Stefanos Dedas, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach**

"One more important game that we obliged to win! Sopot will be extra motivated to beat us. We have to keep our concentration for 40 minutes and play as a team."

**Noam Yaacov, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard**

"Our EuroCup standings are tight, so every detail in the game against Sopot will count. We’re coming in focused, ready to execute our plan and control the pace to secure the win we need."

### Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Aris Midea Thessaloniki (19:30 CET)

**Benka Barloschky, Veolia Towers Hamburg head coach**

"Aris will defend very physically. They have a number of specialists in their squad in defense, who will certainly take on Brae and Jaizec in particular. They have a lot of experience, but at the same time they have also undergone a decisive change recently with the departure of their previous starting guard to Tel Aviv. That does something to a team: roles are redistributed once again. That makes Aris more unpredictable overall. What also makes the game a little more special is that we'll probably experience something of an away atmosphere at home."

### Valencia Basket vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (20:30 CET)

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia Basket head coach**

"\[Cedevita Olimpija\] is one of the teams that is doing well in our group. They have quite experienced players, some of whom I know because I coached them last year, like Geben and Robinson. But they have Blazic, who is a sensational player, who has had a very good career. We think it's going to be a tough game, in the sense that it's going to be a close game. We are not thinking that it will be an easy game. We have to try to play well, to overcome the difficulties that we are sure we are going to find, and above all, to know that they are a direct rival in our group to be in the upper zone. We have a certain advantage over them, but that advantage would be lost if they beat us tomorrow. Therefore, we have to try to consolidate the advantage we have tomorrow, as we are playing at home. I understand the mood, everything is very close. There have been some people very close to the club who have passed away. Obviously, that is not easy to bear and we cannot say that nothing is happening. Obviously, it does happen. And we also know that we have a lot of fans from the affected area who will probably not be able to come. We are going to play for everyone and try to do our job as well as possible. And the only thing I ask of the players, and it is not easy because the other day we saw that it is not easy, is that when the match starts we have to be ready for the game."

**Đorđe Adžić, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana assistant coach**

"Given our recent form and performances, and considering Valencia's quality, we certainly aren’t the favorites for Tuesday's game. Nevertheless, our aim is to give our best and represent ourselves well on the court. Valencia is built to achieve the highest goals in the EuroCup, with some players remaining from previous EuroLeague seasons, so they are well-covered in all positions. Their guards are talented, and their big men are very challenging since they can also score from long range. Their entire team averages over ten three-pointers per game in the EuroCup, and offensive rebounds are critical for them. They play aggressive defense and have players specifically for defensive roles, so we need to adjust to the aggressiveness that awaits us on Tuesday. Given that Valencia has played only one game recently, we might be slightly better in terms of energy. It's up to us to show what we can do and capitalize on their lack of recent games. I hope our team responds well to recent games, and that we look much better in the upcoming period. The situation in Valencia has definitely impacted the club, and as Chechu Mulero, the sports director, has worked here for years, it affected us too, as we saw how deeply this situation touched him. Everyone in the club sympathizes with those affected by the disaster. It's good that sports are returning, the fans will come, and we can’t wait to experience the atmosphere"

**Jaka Blažič, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana guard**

"We are expecting an extremely tough match against an excellent Valencia team. Looking at the current standings in our group, Valencia is definitely the best team, so this task won’t be easy. Our opponents have many strengths. They play excellently, especially in defense with high aggression. Offensively, they score many easy points with quick play, shoot frequently from three-point range, and are strong on offensive rebounds. We’re ready, aware of the biggest threats, and I hope we execute our game plan on Tuesday. Valencia itself is in good condition, with no visible aftermath, but we know what happened in the surrounding area. On behalf of the entire team, I offer support to everyone affected, and we hope for the best."

Joventut Badalona v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2024-11-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-11-13T19:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-11-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-11-13T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2024-11-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2024-11-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-11-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024-11-12T18:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-11-12T18:00:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-11-12T17:00:00.000Z)

Andrew Andrews finished with 23 points, scoring 21 over the final quarter and a half, to guide BC Wolves to their fifth straight win in the EuroCup.

Andrew Andrews caught fire late to keep Wolves' winning streak alive

[Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/wol/) have now won five games in a row after [downing the visiting Dolomiti Energia Trento 88-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-continue-winning-run-edge-trento-88-83/) on Tuesday night. Wolves have now won five games in a row, and after opening the season with three losses, they are now in clear contention for a top-two finish in Group A.

It was not a dominant performance – far from it. Trento was leading for the majority of the first three quarters and was up 53-59 late in the third.

At that point, [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/), who entered the game averaging 14.5 points per night, had just 2 points to his tally. Just as worryingly, he had 3 turnovers, no field goals and has shot 0 for 3 on three-pointers.

Then, Andrews hit a corner triple to cut it to 56-59 before reappearing to hit another one that put Wolves up 65-64 in the final minute of the third quarter.

Andrews opened the fourth with two more three-pointers that lifted the hosts to a 72-64 lead 90 seconds into the final frame.

Andrew Andrews sinks 6 triples to lift Wolves over Trento, 88-83.

Andrew Andrews sinks 6 triples to lift Wolves over Trento

Trento did rally and got within 74-73 midway through the fourth, which is when Andrews hit his fifth three-pointer. He then netted his sixth with 1:11 to go to make it 84-77, a margin big enough for Wolves to keep safe despite some free-throw struggles in the final moments.

Andrew finished with 23 points, scoring 21 over the final quarter and a half.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCSNhtWM6p_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCSNhtWM6p_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCSNhtWM6p_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by BC Wolves (@bcwolves.official)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

He was not the only bright spot for Wolves as [Tre'Shawn Thurman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tre-shawn-thurman/012577/) had 18 points and 8 rebounds, [Marek Blazevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marek-blazevic/008186/) scored 14 points, and [Matas Jogela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matas-jogela/006853/) collected 10 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. However, it was Andrews who delivered all of his 6 triples in key moments of the game, leading the team to its fifth straight win.

Game News

He scored 21 of his 23 points in the final quarter and a half

Valencia set its scoring record in Chris Jones' return

Basketball, and sports in general, have unfortunately not been the talk of the town in the past two weeks in Valencia after the terrible destruction caused by the floods in the city and the region.

But [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25) managed to put some smile on the faces of local people Tuesday night. In its first home game since the tragic events, [Valencia put on a show](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-remains-perfect-with-blowout-of-cedevita-109-80/) against visiting [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25).

Valencia put on a display a historic offensive performance. In its 233rd game in the competition, Valencia set a club record with 109 points scored.

The team was particularly lethal in the middle two quarters when it combined to score 65 points, including outscoring the visitors 31-10 in the third quarter. And if it was not for the team slowing down in the final 10 minutes, who knows what would have the finally tally been.

Game Videos

A little under the radar due to all the events was the return of [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/) to the lineup, after recovering from a finger surgery he underwent in August.

Jones was not much of a factor, with 5 points in 12 minutes on the floor, but the fact that team's biggest star can slowly get into groove and the team is still winning games by 30 points says a lot of what this Valencia team is capable of doing this season.

Against Cedevita, Valencia had 29 assists, made 16 triples - albeit on 42 attempts, and shot 67.7% on two-pointers. Valencia also had 18 offensive rebounds, compared to 12 by Cedevita, while also forcing 17 turnovers.

It had seven players score in double figures and nine different players make at least one three-pointer.

Total dominance of a team that now has seven wins in as many games and looks like a squad it will be nearly impossible to stop.

It was another game in which the Spanish side broke the 100-point barrier

Valencia set scoring record in Chris Jones's return

Veolia Hamburg Towers took care of the business on home floor, beating Aris Midea Thessaloniki 93-69 on Tuesday. Before this victory, Hamburg had never beaten anyone on home floor by more than 21 points.

'Ready to play' Hamburg had a record home win

[Veolia Hamburg Towers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/veolia-hamburg-towers/roster/ham/?season=2024-25) took care of business at home, beating [Aris Midea Thessaloniki ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/roster/ari/)[93-69 on Tuesday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hamburg-runs-past-aris-93-69/). The visitors, playing without [Eleftherios Bochoridis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/eleftherios-bochoridis/003240/) and [Trey Woodbury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/trey-woodbury/013251/) for various reasons, were hardly a match for Hamburg, which registered its biggest home win since joining the competition in the 2021-22 season.

Hamburg had never beaten anyone on home floor by more than 21 points, which was the margin of victory, 90-69, against Dolomiti Energia Trento in March 2022. This win ranks behind only Hamburg's 64-100 triumph at Slask Wroclaw in January 2023.

In this one, Hamburg established dominance on the glass, outrebounding Aris 45-29, including grabbing twice as many offensive boards (18) as the visitors (9).

Hamburg also had six players score 9 or more points, and four players dish 3 or more assists.

The main force behind it all was big man [Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/), who scored only 6 points, but had a team season-high 12 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards, dishing 5 assists and blocking a club record 5 shots.

"We came out with energy and followed the game plan we had", Kuath said, adding that the team finally being healthy and available was one of the keys for this game, for the games to come. "Having all the guys back gives us more energy and more confidence. Knowing we can go all out for the minutes we do play. Every guy came in ready to play."

After the upcoming November break, Hamburg goes on the road to face Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. If they keep up with this level of performances, Kuath and co. will be a tough out for any team on any floor.

Kur Kuath shined bright for the German side on the night

Valencia remains perfect, blows out Cedevita 109-80

Valencia Basket used a strong second half to run past Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 109-80 on Tuesday night in the team's first home game since the horrific floods that hit the area two weeks ago. Valencia improved to 7-0 record atop Group B, while Cedevita lost its third straight, dropping to 4-4 on the season.

The key in the victory was the third quarter in which Valencia outscored Cedevita 31-10. Valencia had seven scorers in double figures, with Josep Puerto leading the way with 15. Xabi Lopez-Arostegui scored 14 points, Mathew Costello collected 13 points and 7 rebounds, Semi Ojeleye had 13 points plus 6 rebounds, and Nate Reuvers 12 points and 7 rebounds. Brancou Baio and Jean Montero each scored 11 in the victory. Devin Robinson netted 16 points for the visitors, Devante Jones 14, Aleksej Nikolic had 13 and Rok Radovic 11 points in defeat.

Reuvers had a pair of baskets early, but a three-pointer from Jaka Blazic and a three-point play from Nikolic put the visitors in front 9-10. More baskets from Nikolic and Blazic opened an 11-16 lead, but Chis Jones had 5 points in his first action this season and a triple from Jaime Pradilla made it 21-18 after 10 minutes.

Cedevita scored the first 7 points on the second quarter with a three-point play from Robinson making it 21-25. But Montero and Ojeleye each nailed a triple and Ojeleye went coast-to-coast to restore a Valencia lead, 29-27. Robinson had another three-point play for the visitors, but Costello and Sergio De Larrea each made a triple before downtown shots from Puerto and Montero gave the hosts their first double-digit lead, 51-41. Robinson threw down a highlight-reel dunk and Nikolic another triple, helping Cedevita cut into the deficit and make it 57-50 at halftime.

Valencia stormed out of the gate in the second half with a 7-0 run in just 63 seconds, with Badio hitting a jumper and a triple and Costello adding a fastbreak dunk. Nikolic completed a three-pointer for the visitors, but it was all Valencia after that with Costello sinking another three before another 7-0 run sparked by Reuvers and capped by Puerto's three-pointer made it 74-55. After a timeout, Reuvers had another basket and a blocked shot, while back-to-back triples from Puerto and Lopez-Arostegui fueled an 8-0 run and helped extend it to 88-60 after 30 minutes.

Things slowed down in the fourth for Valencia, but the margin remained. Davante Jones had a three-pointer that cut it to 92-68, but the hosts replied with a 10-0 run, which featured three-pointers from Costello and Montero. The margin was as big as 107-72 in the final minutes as Valencia celebrated a big win.

The hosts set a club record for scoring in the win

Valencia remains perfect with blowout of Cedevita, 109-80

Hamburg runs past Aris, 93-69

Veolia Hamburg Towers led from start to finish en route to registering their second win of the season, downing the depleted Aris Midea Thessaloniki 93-69 on Tuesday night. Both teams now hold 2-6 records in Group B. Hamburg had a 10-point lead already in the first quarter and extended it to 47-26 in the second. Aris never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way. 

Brae Ivey paced Hamburg with 15 points, Keondre Kennedy netted 14, while Zsombor Maronka and Kenneth Ogbe scored 12 apiece. Kur Kuath had 6 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in the winning effort. Vassilis Toliopoulos netted 31 points on 6-for-18 three-point shooting and D'Moi Hodge bagged 15 in a losing effort.

Hamburg got it going right out of the gates with big dunks from Kuath and Jordan Barnett, the latter also adding a three-point play to make it 9-2. Ivey followed with 5 points, including a triple that opened a 14-4 lead. Joshua Roberts scored in traffic for the visitors and Toliopoulos scored 6 points before the end of the quarter, but not before baskets from Maronka and Osaro Rich secured Hamburg's 24-14 lead after 10 minutes.

Hodge had a fastbreak layup and the visitors' first three-pointer to keep the margin at 31-21, but Patrick Heckmann's steal and layup sparked a 7-0 run, capped by Jaizec Lottie, making it 38-21. Vasillis Kazamias and Kennedy traded triples, and Maronka's basket broke the 20-point margin, 47-26. Toliopoulos had a triple and a three-point play to cut to 51-33, and after Kennedy nailed another three for the hosts, a thee from Hodge made it 54-38 at halftime.

Baskets were few and far between to start the second half, with a triple from Ivey and a tip-in from Aris's James Banks the only field goals in the first 3 minutes. Hodge and Maronka traded three-pointers and Aris was not going away as Emmanouil Chatzidakis had a three-point play and Toliopoulos a triple that cut it to 64-49, but Maronka and Kennedy nailed back-to-back triples to open a 70-49 margin. Hodge had another three-pointer, his fourth, and Toliopoulos knocked down his third and fourth, cutting it to 72-59 after 30 minutes.

Hamburg had a strong start to the fourth quarter. A runner from Osaro Rich, a triple from Ivey, and Kuath's fifth blocked shot all fueled a 7-0 run, capped by a driving layup from Ogbe, for a 79-59 margin. But Toliopoulos scored the next 8 points - a pair of triples with a floater in between - that got Aris within 81-69. However, Aris did not score the rest of the way, the final 5:57 of the contest, as Hamburg finished the game on an 11-0 run.

The German side thoroughly impressed on its home floor

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv showed its strength by registering a 29-point road victory over Trefl Sopot thanks to a fantastic showing by Marcus Foster. 

Marcus Foster's second quarter laid foundation for Hapoel win

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) showed its strength by registering a [29-point road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-cruises-past-trefl-to-keep-pace-with-group-a-leaders/) over [Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/trefl-sopot/roster/tso/?season=2024-25) thanks to a fantastic showing by [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/). Hapoel was never really challenged in a 64-93 win in Poland that allowed the Israeli club to stay close to the leaders in Group A. 

“We have confidence in what we are doing. The guys showed character today. They proved a lot. To win a game like this by 30 points on the road, it is not easy,” said Hapoel head coach [Stefanos Dedas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/dedas-stefanos/?season=U2024). 

Hapoel took control for the first time in the second quarter in building a 15-point advantage. Foster was a major part of that. 

The 29-year-old had nailed a triple in the first quarter and then hit 2 three-pointers early in the second quarter. Foster, who is making his EuroCup debut this season, added a putback after an offensive rebound, another triple and a running layup as Hapoel went from up 4 points to up 15.

Marcus Foster's big second quarter in Poland

“For me, it was just about staying ready. Credit to my teammates for just finding me in positions I know how to score in,” said Foster, who poured in 23 points against [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25) in [Round 6](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-shows-no-mercy-to-beat-buducnost-92-72/). “Defensively I got it done and helped push us to this win.”

Foster was scoreless in the third quarter and then came out with 4 quick points in the opening moments of the final frame in pushing the lead to 21 points and end any doubts.

Foster has really stepped up after a slow start to the season. He averaged 8.8 points in the first four games and now has tallied 19.3 points in the last four games as Hapoel knows it can rely on the American guard to get points quickly.

The guard scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the second stanza

Wolves continue winning run, edge Trento 88-83

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius registered their fifth consecutive victory, beating visiting Dolomiti Energia Trento 88-83 on Tuesday night. The win improved Wolves' record to 5-3 in Group A, while Trento dropped to 3-5, remaining winless in our road games.

Andrew Andrews scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half, including making 6 three-point shots. Four of his triples came in a 19-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, which turned a 53-59 deficit into a 72-64 lead, and the hosts never trailed again. 

Tra'Shawn Thurman scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and he pulled down 8 rebounds. Marek Blazevic had 14 points and Matas Jogela collected 10 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. Eigirdas Zukauskas scored 21 for Trento, Jordan Ford had 17 points, Quinn Ellis scored 14 and Myles Cale 12 in defeat.

The wolves grabbed an early lead behind 6 points from Blazevic to open a 10-3 edge, but the visitors replied. Trento's first three baskets were all three-pointers, a pair from Cale and one from Zukauskas and the latter also made a turnaround jumper to tie things up at 13-13. Wolves restored a slim lead thanks to Blazevic scoring another one inside and Thurman hitting a three-pointer. Toto Forray and Ford took it to the rim for Trento, but Thurman's half-court buzzer-beater made it 25-21 after 10 minutes.

Forray's floater helped Trento to another tie, 25-25, but Thurman scored 6 points, including a big two-handed dunk, to make it 31-27. However, Ellis drove for a dunk and then nailed a triple before a second-chance three from Zukauskas gave Trento its first lead 36-37. A transition triple from Cale, his third, extended the margin to 38-42 midway through the second quarter. Zukauskas made back-to-back triples and then added a pair of foul shots in his personal 0-8 run to make it 40-51 before Jogela finished the quarter with a pair of short-range baskets to get within 44-51 at halftime.

A triple from Jeffrey Taylor opened the second half and a 7-0 run that evened things at 51-51. But Ellis and Ford scored all the visitors' points in a 2-8 run to get Trento back in front, 53-59. But Andrews hit his first triple, followed by a pair of baskets from Thurman. A dunk by Jogela and another three-pointer from Andrews got Wolves back in front, making it 66-64 after three-quarters.

Andrews opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-point shots to lead 72-64 after 90 seconds. Lamb and Ford scored for Trento and a three-point play from Zukauskas cut it to 74-73. But a three-pointer from Andrews and a basket high off the glass from Jogela made it 79-73. Anthony Lamb took it to the rim with exactly 2:00 left, but Anthony Cowan answered with a jumper and a corner triple from Andrews with 1:11 left made it 84-77. Cale's second-chance three 30 seconds later gave the visitors hope, but Andrews nailed a jumper with 17 seconds to go and the hosts prevailed.

Andrew Andrews came to the fore late in the game to give the Lithuanian side the victory

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv avoided a slip-up in its fight to keep pace with the top teams of Group A with a comfortable 64-93 victory at winless Trefl Sopot. 

Hapoel cruises past Trefl to keep pace with Group A leaders

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv avoided a slip-up in its fight to keep pace with the top teams of Group A with a comfortable 64-93 victory at winless Trefl Sopot. The visitors pulled away for the first time in earnest in the second quarter and never let Trefl challenge. That moved Hapoel to 5-3 after having lost two of its last three games.

Marcus Foster led the way with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Tomer Ginat scored 14 points, Antonio Blakeney had 12, Patrick Beverley 11 and Bruno Caboclo chipped in 10 points. Trefl continues to wait for its first victory at 0-8 despite Jakub Schenk scoring 17 points. 

The first part of the opening quarter was back-and-forth with five lead changes as Tarik Phillip scored 6 points for Trefl and Ginat had 4 points as Hapoel led 8-11. The visitors scored 6 straight points to extend the advantage to 12-19 and led 16-22 after 10 minutes.

Two Foster triples and a putback pushed the Hapoel cushion to 22-34. Foster added another triple and driving layup to move to 13 points in the quarter and a 29-44 lead. Trefl was down 32-45 at the break. 

After Hapoel scored the first points of the second half to re-establish a 15-point lead, Trefl buried 2 three-pointers to make it 38-47. Five points from Blakeney helped Hapoel increase the margin to 44-60. It was 46-63 after a Beverley three-pointer and 50-67 after 30 minutes.

Hapoel did not let up early on in the fourth quarter with Foster getting back on the scorer’s sheet after 0 points in the third period to make it 52-73. Trefl did manage 5 straight points, but Joe Ragland drilled a triple to quickly stop the momentum and the home side did not get closer than 16 points the rest of the way. 

Joventut Badalona has completed the signing of Sam Dekker on a deal until December 18.

Joventut signs Sam Dekker on short-term deal

[Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/jov/) has announced the signing of [Sam Dekker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) on a short-term deal that runs until December 18, 2024. 

Dekker (2.06 meters, 30 years old) spent the last two seasons playing in the BKT EuroCup for the London Lions, guiding the team to the playoffs in their first-ever campaign in the competition before helping them reach the EuroCup Semifinals last year.

With Kaiser Gates, Michael Ruzic and Miguel Allen all injured, Dekker's arrival is a welcome boost for Joventut.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">💥 Sam Dekker reforça el joc interior de la Penya<br><br>📝 El Joventut i l’aler pivot nord-americà han arribat a un acord per un mes<br><br>🔗 La notícia: <a href="https://t.co/NbRdskrvW2">https://t.co/NbRdskrvW2</a><br><br>😀 Benvingut a Badalona, <a href="https://twitter.com/dekker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dekker</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badalona%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BadalonaÉsFutur</a> <a href="https://t.co/9EKyfZ9ZJP">pic.twitter.com/9EKyfZ9ZJP</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1856384095334367588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The American forward impressed so much in his first year with London that he earned a spot in the 2022-23 All-EuroCup Second Team. Last season he averaged 11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 11 EuroCup games in what was an injury-hit campaign for him personally, while his first year with the Lions saw him post 18.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 16 EuroCup appearances.

In the English capital, Dekker was also named the 2022-23 British Basketball League MVP and helped the team win back-to-back league championships, as well as the 2022-23 BBL Cup.

Dekker started his professional career with the Houston Rockets, which drafted him with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He remained with Houston for two years, then played for the Los Angeles Clippers (2017-18), Cleveland Cavaliers (2018-19) and Washington Wizards (2018-19) before heading to Europe. He briefly returned to the NBA with the Toronto Raptors (2021-22).

On the old continent, he has suited up for Lokomotiv Kuban (2019-20), Turk Telekom Ankara (2020-21), Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2021-22) and London (2022-24). He will now play in Spain for the first time in his career with Joventut.

More Joventut News

His arrival will help cover the Spanish side's injury problems

Ante Tomic remains one of the smartest big men in European basketball, and the Joventut Badalona is putting up MVP-like numbers so far in this year's EuroCup.

MVP favorite at 38? Ante Tomic is showing no signs of slowing down

If [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) and fine wine have one thing in common, it's that they get better with age.

Tomic has already well established his status as one of the best big men in Europe this century, both from his time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and also the BKT EuroCup. And now, just a few months before turning 38 years old, the [Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/jov/) center is playing some of the best basketball in his career.

After seven regular-season games, Tomic is without a doubt one of the best players in the EuroCup, registering MVP numbers like few others and making an early case to be one of the favorites to win the award.

A starter in every game he's played so far, Tomic averages 14.9 points, a league-high tying 9.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and a PIR of 24.1 over just 25:29 minutes. The numbers are impressive enough and become even more spectacular when compared to the other players in the EuroCup and to himself, since we’re talking about career highs in both points and rebounds.

As Tomic himself admits, the most notable improvement comes in rebounding, where he is posting almost double the 5.6 boards he averaged last season. "I feel good, healthy and eager to play," Tomic tells Eurohoops. "There is a lot of talk about it being my best version, but what I see is that the biggest difference is in rebounding. The points don't matter so much, a game with a few more or less points... it doesn't matter so much. In the EuroCup above all, I have seen a big difference in rebounding. I am playing well, I am happy, but I don't see it as something so special that it is talked about so much."

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1741268/mvp-favorite-at-38-ante-tomic-is-showing-no-signs-of-slowing-down/).

Despite Joventut's struggles, the Croatian big man is showing that he still has plenty left in the tank

The final set of games before a mid-season break will provide plenty of motivation for teams across the continent to triumph in Round 8 of the BKT EuroCup.

Game Center: Round 8 has arrived!

## Tuesday, November 12

### [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 88-83 Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/74/)

Wolves registered their fifth consecutive victory by beating visiting Trento on Tuesday night. The win improved Wolves' record to 5-3 in Group A, while Trento dropped to 3-5, remaining winless in our road games. Andrew Andrews scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half, including making 6 three-point shots. Four of his triples came in a 19-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, which turned a 53-59 deficit into a 72-64 lead, and the hosts never trailed again. Eigirdas Zukauskas scored 21 for Trento.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Five in a row in the <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> ✊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreWolves?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreWolves</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z9NTzExtj1">pic.twitter.com/Z9NTzExtj1</a></p>&mdash; BC WOLVES (@wolves_bc) <a href="https://twitter.com/wolves_bc/status/1856415242479382898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Trefl Sopot 64-93 Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/trefl-sopot-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/71/)

Hapoel avoided a slip-up in its fight to keep pace with the top teams of Group A with a comfortable victory at winless Trefl Sopot. The visitors pulled away for the first time in earnest in the second quarter and never let Trefl challenge. That moved Hapoel to 5-3 after having lost two of its last three games. Marcus Foster led the way with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Tomer Ginat scored 14 points. Trefl continues to wait for its first victory at 0-8 despite Jakub Schenk scoring 17 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הפועל מנצחת את סופוט ועולה למאזן 3:5 ביורוקאפ.<br><br>הקבוצה תמריא מחר לישראל לקראת המשחק מול חולון בשבת, פרטים על מכירת הכרטיסים יפורסמו מחר. <a href="https://t.co/MT5iQKUUXY">pic.twitter.com/MT5iQKUUXY</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1856426978909594064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Veolia Towers Hamburg 93-69 Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/78/)

Hamburg led from start to finish en route to registering its second win of the season, downing Aris. Both teams now hold 2-6 records in Group B. Hamburg had a 10-point lead already in the first quarter and extended it to 47-26 in the second. Aris never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way. Brae Ivey paced Hamburg with 15 points and Keondre Kennedy netted 14 and Kur Kuath had 6 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in the winning effort. Vassilis Toliopoulos netted 31 points on 6-for-18 three-point shooting in the loss. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A second win of the season for <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hamburgtowers</a> tonight ✔️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/lxb74oJaZK">pic.twitter.com/lxb74oJaZK</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1856438864375586817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Valencia Basket 109-80 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/valencia-basket-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2024/77/)

Valencia used a strong second half to run past Cedevita in the team's first home game since the horrific floods that hit the area two weeks ago. Valencia improved to 7-0 record atop Group B, while Cedevita lost its third straight, dropping to 4-4 on the season. The key in the victory was the third quarter in which Valencia outscored Cedevita 31-10. Valencia had seven scorers in double figures, with Josep Puerto leading the way with 15 and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui adding 14. Devin Robinson netted 16 points for the visitors.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sv" dir="ltr">💙💛❤️<br>Final en la Fonteta<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EstemAmbVosaltres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EstemAmbVosaltres</a><br><br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 109<br>🟢 <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KKCedOL</a> 80<br><br>🏆 J8 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 Vitaldin Sport <a href="https://t.co/8alzkvA88r">pic.twitter.com/8alzkvA88r</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1856447617162432885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Wednesday, November 13

### U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (18:00 CET)

Cluj (3-4) will attempt to get back in the winning groove as it hosts a Lietkabelis team (2-4) which has the motivation of attempting to climb into the all-important top six as it seeks a first road win. The Lithuanian team leaned on a personal-best 22 points from young guard [Mantas Rubstavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mantas-rubstavicius/009299/) to easily beat Hamburg last week, but must improve its three-point shooting accuracy after only making 26.1% so far – worst in the competition. Cluj, conversely, is the second-most effective two-point shooting team (60.6%), so will keep on feeding big man [Zach Hankins](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zach-hankins/013304/) (11.1 points per game on 66.7% two-pointers) inside.

### Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria (18:00 CET)

A big battle in Group A will see Besiktas (4-3) attempt to wrestle second place away from Gran Canaria (5-2). The Spanish team will look to recover its offensive fluency after being held to just 66 points in last week’s home loss to Wolves, and needs offensive leader [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) (10.3 points per game) to rediscover his range after making just 1-of-7 field-goal attempts in that game. Besiktas, which has won three of the last four, had no such problems as it piled on 100 points against Trefl last week, and shooting star [Yigit Arslan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yigit-arslan/007914/) will look to stay hot after averaging 3.5 three-pointers over the last four games.

Round 8 Head-to-Head: Sleva vs. Shurma

### ratiopharm Ulm vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

Group A leader Bahcesehir (6-1) will look to keep on rolling as it travels to a dangerous but inconsistent Ulm (4-3). The Turkish team’s latest triumph, against Hapoel last week, saw 15 assists from offensive leader [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) as he orchestrated an all-round team effort that included a personal-best 23 points from [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/), whose dynamic play epitomizes Bahcesehir’s success so far. Ulm’s recent defensive problems continued in on overtime loss at Buducnost, when 25 points from [Justinian Jessup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/justinian-jessup/013290/) weren’t enough to prevent defeat as the German team allowed its opponent to convert 66.6% of two-point attempts – a clear point of emphasis this week against Bahcesehir’s fast-paced offense.

Round 8 Head-to-Head: Weidemann vs. Hazer

### Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (19:00 CET)

The tie for second place in Group B will be broken as Jerusalem (5-2) meets Bourg (5-2) for a game which could go a long way towards deciding seeded status in the playoffs. Jerusalem will be feeling confident after sinking 94 points to easily overcome Reyer last week, partly thanks to a huge 45 rebounds led by 7 from [Jeremy Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremy-morgan/010431/) – who will be playing against his former club after helping take Bourg to last season’s title game. And this could be a high-scoring shootout because Bourg is also firing on all cylinders offensively, netting 90 points to overcome Cedevita last week led by 16 from all-round threat [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/).

Round 8 Head-to-Head: Wiley vs. Kokila

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (20:00 CET)

Turk Telekom (4-3) will look to consolidate its position in the top six with a trip to a Reyer team in search of consistency (2-5). The visitors could give a debut to [new backcourt signing Speedy Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-adds-speedy-smith/), who averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 assists during his six games with previous team Hapoel Jerusalem. He should form a dangerous combination with Round 7 MVP [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/), whose confidence could not be higher after he drained a career-high 39 points – the most of any player this season – to down Cluj last week. Reyer needs to boost its own morale after being thrashed by 28 points against Jerusalem in Round 7, and hopes to follow the hustling example set by [Carl Wheatle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/carl-wheatle/013305/), with multiple steals in four straight games.

### Joventut Badalona vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (20:30 CET)

Struggling Joventut (2-5) will aim to emerge from its four-game losing slump with a visit from direct rival Buducnost (3-4) in a key matchup on the fringes of the playoffs places. The Spanish side, which has lost [Kaiser Gates](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kaiser-evan-bray-gates/013287/) to injury, needs to take better case of the basketball after committing 16 turnovers in last week’s morale-damaging late collapse at Trento. Conversely, Buducnost’s game-winner from Round 7, [Yogi Ferrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yogi-ferrell/011281/), who had 17 points in that game, is just one of the offensive weapons available for the Montenegrin team, and Joventut will try to slow down the rhythm of offensive leader [McKinley Wright IV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mckinley-wright-iv/012606/), who averages 10.1 points per night.

This is the final round before the mid-season break

News

Game Center: Valencia, Wolves, Hapoel, Hamburg open Round 8 with wins

Άρθρο