Joventut Badalona edged Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv 82-74 to reach the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals as the Spanish side excelled in several departments, most of all in free throws as the hosts set the competition record with 26 shots made without a miss.

Ball-sharing Joventut was faultless from the foul line

Joventut Badalona edged Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv 82-74 to reach the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals as the Spanish side excelled in several departments, most of all in free throws as the hosts set the competition record with 26 shots made without a miss.

Hapoel was also decent from the foul line as the visitors sank 18 of 21 free throws, but they were undone by a more resourceful Joventut team which dished out 21 assists and racked up 40 rebounds. Hapoel only managed 13 assists and had 35 boards, with the Israeli side’s slow start costing the visitors dearly as they fell behind 31-10 midway through the second quarter.

Game News

Hapoel head coach Danny Franco acknowledged after a gut-wrenching defeat it was scant consolation that his team actually won three of the four quarters. "We are of course very disappointed. We made a poor start and it cost us. We won three of the four quarters but the first one was a bad one for us and it came back to haunt us," Franco said afterward.

Franco’s counterpart Carles Duran was elated after seeing his team reach the last four. "We made a great start to the game and had a great last 2 minutes, but Hapoel pushed us all the way," he said. "We played with a lot of heart and character, so now we can dream of reaching the final. Five years ago Joventut was in a bad position for several reasons and now we’re in the EuroCup Semifinals."

Game Videos

Joventut Badalona v Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv (2023-04-19T18:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona reached the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals after a strong finish saw the Spanish club grind out a hard-fought 82-74 home win over Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv in a rip-roaring contest played in an electrifying atmosphere on Wednesday. 

Joventut holds on to beat Hapoel, 82-74, and reach semis

Joventut Badalona reached the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals after a strong finish saw the Spanish club grind out a hard-fought 82-74 home win over Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv in a rip-roaring contest played in an electrifying atmosphere on Wednesday.

Centers Ante Tomic and forward Vladimir Brodziansky paced Joventut with 16 points each and Joel Parra added 13 for the home team, which set a new EuroCup record of 26 free throws made without missing any, breaking the previous mark of 22-for-22 shared by Buducnost Podgorica, FMP Zeleznik, UNICS Kazan and Alba Fehervar. At the other end, J’Covan Brown sank a game-high 21 points, Jordan McRae posted 17 while Xavier Munford and Tomer Ginat netted 12 apiece for Hapoel.

Roared on by the fervent home fans, Joventut made a blistering start and won the first quarter 22-7 on the back of ironclad defense garnished with some incisive offense, as Hapoel looked toothless at both ends of the court. Whereas Joventut dished out 7 assists in the opening 10 minutes, Hapoel managed none as the visitors were forced into isolation on offense, resulting in a barrage of tough long-range shots.

The trend continued in the opening 5 minutes of the second quarter, with Joventut carving out a 31-10 lead on the back of a 20-3 streak which had Hapoel reeling and seemingly out for the count. However, the visiting team then bounced back off the ropes and a 7-0 run saw Hapoel slash the deficit to 40-29 at halftime, which was a sign of things to come after the break.

Hapoel scored 8 unanswered points at the start of the third quarter, cutting the gap to 40-37 before the home team finally got out of their slump, with Brodziansky being instrumental in keeping Joventut in the driving seat. The Slovakian scored 11 points in the third period, including a hook shot and a three-pointer, as Joventut headed into the final 10 minutes with a 60-51 advantage.

The stubborn visitors refused to roll over and, led by Brown, who netted 13 points in the fourth quarter, Hapoel turned the game on its head after Brown nailed a pair of three-pointers in quick succession to give the Israeli side its first lead of the night, 69-70. With the game hanging in the balance and a sizeable contingent of away fans in raptures, Joventut forced the final twist when Andres Feliz ripped through Hapoel’s defense with a lovely lay-up to give the hosts a 75-72 lead. Hapoel could not recover as its offense was ground to a halt in the last 2 minutes as Joventut sealed its win thanks to ice-cool free throw shooting from Parra, who also put the icing on the cake with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the corner.

Ante Tomic, Joventut: 'We deserved this one'

### Joventut Badalon head coach Carles Duran:

"Hapoel is a great team and they’ve had an incredible EuroCup. We made a great start to the game and had a great last 2 minutes, but Hapoel pushed us all the way. We played with a lot of heart and character, so now we can dream of reaching the final. Five years ago Joventut was in a bad position for several reasons and now we’re in the EuroCup Semifinals."

 

### Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv head coach Danny Franco:

"We are of course very disappointed. We made a poor start and it cost us. We won three of the four quarters but the first one was a bad one for us and it came back to haunt us. We showed a lot of character to come back. This is not an easy venue to play in against an excellent team, it’s not comforting to us but it is what it is."

 

### Joventut Badalona center Ante Tomic:

"We managed to control the game more or less, although we struggled late in the third quarter and much of the fourth. Luckily, we made some important shots and all the free throws, so we deserved this one. It was a good atmosphere and the Hapoel fans were also amazing."

Jerian Grant drew 13 fouls, which was one off the competition record and the most ever this late in the season. 

Grant’s effort worthy of the history books 

[Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jerian-grant/011204/) controlled the pace and kept the opposition on its heels for long stretches of Turk Telekom Ankara's come-from-behind 86-76 victory over ratiopharm Ulm on Wednesday night. The weapon he used most was his ability to draw fouls.

Grant drew 13 fouls, which was one off the competition record and the most ever this late in the season. Four players in competition history have drawn 14 fouls in a game, most recently Matt Walsh for Spirou Charleroi in December 2012. Grant became the ninth player to draw 13, which had been last accomplished by Erick McCollum in January of last season for Lokomotiv Kuban. But no player had ever done so in an elimination round game.

He turned those fouls drawn into 14 free throw attempts, of which he made 12. The 14 attempts are tied with Marco Belinelli (Virtus Segafredo Bologna, March 2021) for the fifth most in a quarterfinals game. Reggie Freeman set the record with 17 for (FMP Belgrade in March 2003.

The 12 made foul shots are tied with Freeman from the aforementioned game and Dmitry Kulagin (Lokomotiv, March 2018) for the third most ever in the quarters. McCollum holds that record with 15 for Lokomotiv in March 2019.

Grant finished the game with 20 points and 7 assists for a performance index rating, which was also a career high. He is now ranked second in the EuroCup this season with 5.6 fouls drawn per game.

Grant's effort worthy of the history books 

Turk Telekom Ankara v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-04-19T15:30:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske had less trouble than expected in downing Promitheas Patras 80-57 in the 7DAYS EuroCup Quarterfinals. Its high intensity and outstanding energy played a major role in this 23-point victory.

Prometey outhustled Promitheas

Prometey Slobozhanske had less trouble than expected in downing Promitheas Patras 80-57 in the 7DAYS EuroCup Quarterfinals. Its high intensity and outstanding energy played a major role in this 23-point victory.

Prometey outrebounded Promitheas 42-26. It finished the game with 28 defensive rebounds and allowed Promitheas just 5 offensive boards. To put that in perspective, Prometey grabbed 84.8% of all rebounds under its own basket. Nine players helped on the defensive boards, led by Ondrej Balvin, who pulled down 8 rebounds, all under his basket. Promitheas only grabbed 21 of a total 35 rebounds under its rim (60%).

The hosts finished the game with 6 blocks and 9 steals, better than Promitheas, which had 4 blocks and 7 steals. Those allowed Prometey to get a lot of easy baskets in transition. The hosts made 22 of 34 two-point shots (64.7% 2FG) and Promitheas only sank 16 of 31 attempts inside the arc (51.6% 2FG). 

"In order for you to win championships, you have to play defense, you have to get stops and that has been one of our main calling card this season," D.J. Stephens said after the game. "Playing good defense and then getting out in transition and getting the easy ones.

Prometey Slobozhanske v Promitheas Patras (2023-04-19T16:00:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske qualified for the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals by thrashing Promitheas Patras 80-57 at home in the quarterfinals. There was more good news for Prometey as Caleb Agada returned to action.

Agada returned and made the difference

Prometey Slobozhanske qualified for the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals by thrashing Promitheas Patras 80-57 at home in the quarterfinals. There was more good news for Prometey as Caleb Agada returned to action.

Agada started the game, but featured for less than 15 minutes. In that time, he produced an all-around performance, leading the game in assists (7) and steals (3) while getting 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 fouls drawn for a game-high PIR of 16. It was his first game since the end of the regular season: Agada missed his team's eighthfinals showdown against Veolia Towers Hamburg through injury. Prometey is also without D.J. Kennedy and team captain Denys Lukashov.

"I feel really good. I’m just glad I could recover well. Big shout out to Montez and Doc and everyone really helped me get back. I’m super happy and grateful for them. And it felt good to be back on the court," Agada said after the game. 

Caleb Agada of Prometey Slobozhanske had 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls drawn and a game-highs of 7 assists, 3 steals and a PIR of 16 against Promitheas Patras.

Agada has all-around game against Promitheas

"We lost players, we lost Kennedy and Stephens, before, our captain \[Lukashov\], Agada but our team spirit was alive all the time, and this is important in basketball," Prometey head coach Ronen Ginzburg. \[Agada\] played today at 50-60%. I took him out all the time during the game. Now he feels bad a little bit, I hope it is not serious, and that he continues with us," he added. 

Agada hopes to be available for his team's semifinal showdown against Turk Telekom Ankara.

D.J. Stephens, Prometey: 'We are not done yet

### Prometey Slobozhanske head coach Ronen Ginzburg:

"For me, it was an amazing game from the point of view of the coach, because we played really great defense today. I told the players, and the players know, offense brings wins but defense brings titles, and we played great defense today. I am happy: amazing, Slava Ukraine, amazing! \[Team spirit\] is our weapon. We lost players, we lost Kennedy and Stephens, before, our captain \[Lukashov\], Agada but our team spirit was alive all the time, and this is important in basketball. \[Agada\] played today at 50-60%. I took him out all the time during the game. Now he feels bad a little bit, I hope it is not serious and that he continues with us."

### Promitheas Patras head coach Ioannis Christopoulos:

"We knew it was going to be tough. It is a team that knows how to win games. Of course, we could have played way better, we demonstrated that we can. Our guys deserve a lot of credit, for reaching this point. Everything can happen in one game. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it. Congratulations to Prometey and good luck in the future. I think we did a great job \[this season\], beyond many people's expectations. We had tough wins on the road and showed a lot of character. I am very pleased with the guys.

"First of all, congratulations to Prometey and good luck for the future. I am proud of our guys bringing the team here. We showed a lot of character during all this trip. We have been through some ups and downs but showed good character, which to me, it matters a lot. I think there has been some progress in the team qualifying to this round. Good luck to Prometey and all the best. When you see things like this, it is lack of focus and concentration. I think that mentally, we didn't show the right attitude, and this is a good team that can punish every mistake."

### Prometey Slobozhanske forward D.J. Stephens:

"We are happy with the way we came out and played today. We came out and played aggressive. We worked the game plan to a 'T', we were really aggressive on defense and got what we wanted to on offense. We were able to just impose our will in the game. It is a good thing we got this win, we get to advance to the final four \[semifinals\] but we are not done yet, so we have to focus in and get ready for the next one. Every game we come in, we know that we have to play hard, we have to play aggressive.

"In order for you to win championships, you have to play defense, you have to get stops and that has been one of our main calling cards this season, playing good defense and then getting out in transition and getting the easy ones. For me, I like playing defense so every night I try to come out and not allow my man to score any points, do anything that I can and impose my will on the game, offense and defense. And I was able to have a good one tonight."

### Prometey Slobozhanske forward Caleb Agada:

"I feel really good. I’m just glad I could recover well. Big shout out to Montez and Doc and everyone really helped me get back. I’m super happy and grateful for them. And it felt good to be back on the court… I’m happy, but still focused. This is where we’re at now. This is where we wanted to be. Now we know what we want to do, so have to keep working to get there.

"Good defensive effort. We’re locked in. Everybody knows what’s at stake right now, everyone knows what we want to do, what we want to achieve, so everybody came out and did that today. \[The fans\] were amazing. We appreciate it. It gives us more life, more energy. And hopefully they keep coming for the next one."

Jerian Grant, Turk Telekom: 'A total team effort'

### Turk Telekom Ankara head coach Erdem Can:

"We fought and we came back to our absolutes, and we didn’t give up. This is our ID. And during the game, we tried to get better. And they are such a great team, to be honest. I mean, it was not easy. But at the end of the day, I really feel proud of my players, my organization. But, we just won one game. There is the next game next week and Saturday another league game."

 

### ratiopharm Ulm head coach Anton Gavel:

"Congratulations to Coach Can and his team and second of all, congratulations to our players for a great season. They achieved a lot, they fought through all the adversity. So all the credit goes to them and our coaching staff and everybody who’s around the team. We fought, it was not enough, but I can be only proud of our players."

 

### Turk Telekom Ankara guard Jerian Grant:

"This team trusted me in those moments and this team all year, it’s just been a total team effort. Everybody puts in the work and we get it done."

Prometey Slobozhanske advanced to the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals! Prometey became the second Ukrainian team to get this far in the competition by downing Promitheas Patras 80-57 at Arena Riga in the Latvian capital on Wednesday. Prometey is now on a 13-game winning streak and will have the home-court advantage in the semifinal against Turk Telekom Ankara, which beat ratiopharm Ulm 86-76 earlier in the day.

D.J. Stephens led the winners with 17 points. Gian Clavell added 14 while Oleksandr Lypovyy had 10 for Prometey, which heads to the semifinals 10 years after Budivelnik Kiev reached this stage in 2013 as the first Ukrainian team to do so. Joe Thomasson led Promitheas with 15 points.

Ondrej Balvin and Stephens each dunked in a 7-2 Prometey run that Clavell capped with a jumper. Trevis Simpson hit and Thomasson struck from downtown to bring Promitheas within 12-7. Balvin and Stephens each scored around the basket and then Sydorov's back-to-back floaters established a 20-11 Prometey lead. Lypovyy and Clavell kept Prometey fully in charge, 25-16, after 10 minutes. 

Issuf Sanon, Lypovyy and Clavell each hit a triple early in the second quarter, boosting the hosts' lead to 34-20. Arnoldas Kulboka and George Conditt stepped up for Promitheas, bringing their team within 38-29. Lypovyy struck from beyond the arc and Ivan Tkachenko's jumper fixed the score at 43-29 at halftime.

Caleb Agada took over after the break and Clavell's triple brought Prometey further ahead, 49-33. Prometey took the guests into the foul penalty early, allowing Stephens and Sydorov to keep their team in total control, 54-36. Clavell insisted from downtown and Balvin's dunk broke the game open, 59-38. Tkachenko and Sanon gave Prometey a 62-40 advantage after 30 minutes. 

Stephens buried a catch-and-shoot three-pointer and soon added a wild alley-oop slam that sealed the outcome, 67-42. Promitheas kept trying in the final 8 minutes but Prometey kept a safe margin and had plenty of time to celebrate a truly historic victory!