The opening game of the best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals left CB Gran Canaria and Bahcesehir College Istanbul with reasons for optimism as they travel to the Canary Islands for Game 2 on Friday night.

Granca, Bahcesehir both have reasons for optimism ahead of Game 2

The opening game of the best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals left both teams with reasons for optimism as they travel to the Canary Islands for Game 2 on Friday night.

For [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/), which held on for [a 74-66 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-overpowers-gran-canaria-74-66-in-game-1-of-semifinals/), the reasons are obvious, starting with the fact that it defended its home court and now is just one win away from a historic appearance in the finals. Coach Dejan Radonjic's team got the job done chiefly through teamwork – plus a brilliant showing from center [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🌅 Günaydın büyük Bahçeşehir Ailesi! 🙋<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HayalDe%C4%9FilHedef?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HayalDeğilHedef</a> <a href="https://t.co/stKLuT98Ep">pic.twitter.com/stKLuT98Ep</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1904771094826881106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bahcesehir used its depth and an overpowering rebounding effort to notch the victory. While the performances off the bench of Simonovic, [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) and [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/) made a massive impact, they overshadowed the fact that two key players – [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) and [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) – were somewhat underwhelming. And that means that Coach Radonjic can look forward to having those players, who combined to play less than 20 minutes on Tuesday, well-rested and hungry for Game 2.

What's more, aside from its fantastic rebounding, Bahcesehir did very little that it cannot repeat or improve on in Game 2. It shot below its season-long numbers, making only 48.7% of its two-pointers and 30.4% of its threes. The 12 turnovers committed were 1 more than normal and the lone blocked shot was fewer than normal.

All told, aside from its team-record 20 offensive rebounds and Simonovic's career game, Bahcesehir can be confident for Friday's contest.

### Gran Canaria looks to even things at home

And why would Gran Canaria be confident? Start with the fact that after stumbling to an 18-point third-quarter deficit, it outscored Bahcesehir 8-21 to get within 5 points in the fourth quarter. That run should boost the team's spirits, as coach Jaka Lakovic alluded to.

"The game was a physical game. I think we started the game well and after that Bahcesehir made a 10-0 run to take control of the game with their switching defense, which we didn’t resolve well," Lakovic said in the post-game press conference. "In the second half we started to play more physical with more effort. We stopped Bahcesehir on 25 points in the second half. But at the moments where we needed the stops, where we came close to 5 points, we gave up too many rebounds."

In short, Gran Canaria bounced back from a slow start, played strong second-half defense and needs a better plan against Bahcesehir's switching defense and rebounding. It sounds like much of Coach Lakovic's Game 2 plan should be easy to prepare!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🤝 𝗡𝗢𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗦, 𝗡𝗢𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗦 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗦<br><br>💛 Esto no acaba aquí. <a href="https://t.co/y0J1s6OSHG">pic.twitter.com/y0J1s6OSHG</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1904617126775681403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So far, in the three meetings this season between these teams, the home team has won each time. Only twice has a team scored more than 70 points in those matchups. And Gran Canaria has scored at least 70 points in seven of its 10 home games and averaged 82.2 points at home this season.

One of the best free-throw shooting teams in the EuroCup, Gran Canaria was just 11 of 16 from the line (68.9%) in Istanbul, including a few costly misses. Coach Jaka Lakovic will also have his team primed for a better rebounding effort in Game 2 after Bahcesehir controlled the glass to the tune of 42-27 – and scored 16 second-chance points – in the opener.

Perhaps the biggest advantage for Gran Canaria is the psychological one. Playing with its back to the wall, the team will give everything to stay alive, while in the back of their minds, Bahcesehir's players will know that there is always Game 3 to fall back on.

For club legends and team leaders [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/) and [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), going down without maximum effort is out of the question. And in them, like teammates [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/), [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/) and [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/), beats the heart of a champion. A 2023 EuroCup champion. And that should be more than enough to win this game and push the series to Game 3 next week.

Game News

Bahcesehir shined in the opener, but Gran Canaria will host Friday's showdown

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-03-28T20:00:00.000Z)

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Semifinals winner, Game 1

Congratulations to Arale Weisberg, our 21st winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Arale's team, 'Aralos 10', posted a score of 178.25

Arale had the following starting lineup: Jean Montero of Valencia Basket as team captain, then his teammate Matthew Costello, Yam Madar of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and Bahcesehir College Istanbul duo of Marko Simonovic and Axel Bouteille. Valencia guard Chris Jones was the sixth man.

The head coach of Arale's team was Pedro Martinez of Valencia Basket, and the four bench players were Tyler Cavanaugh of Bahcesehir, Ish Wainright of Hapoel as well as Dreamland Gran Canaria duo of Nico Brussino and Caleb Homesley.

The prize for finishing first in the 21st round of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Arale!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 3,523.15 points after the first 21 rounds. Trades are now open for the 22nd round, which is Game 2 of the EuroCup semifinals, and the number of trades is unlimited.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

Jean Montero is nicknamed "El Problema". If anyone had doubts on why he is called like that, Montero made sure everyone knew. 


Jean Montero solved Valencia's scoring problems against Hapoel

In an intense and extremely tactical showdown, Valencia Basket grabbed a 91-82 victory over Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv at La Fonteta, taking a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three semifinal playoff series and getting within one victory of returning to the EuroCup Finals for the eighth time.

It was not easy for Valencia, as Hapoel started the game with the right rhythm, not allowing the hosts to share the ball and forcing their best scorers into one-on-one situations. Hapoel quickly identified [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) as its go-to guy, and soon got plenty of help from [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/) to get a double-digit margin, 36-46, near halftime.

Valencia needed answers on offense and 21-year-old guard [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) provided them from that moment until the end of the game.

Jean Montero finished the game with 24 points, scoring 20 of those in the final 22 minutes of the game. He led Valencia to a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three semifinal series against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.

Montero leads Valencia past Hapoel

Montero went to the line twice and made all 4 free throw attempts to help Valencia get within 42-48 at halftime. After the break, Montero scored around the basket off a great pass by [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/chris-jones/010568/), added a floater and sent the crowd to their feet with a wild four-point play. He then found [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-costello/010444/) for a jump hook that capped a 12-0 run. When Hapoel got within 62-59 late in the third quarter, Montero stepped up once again with an off-balance three-point play.

He was far from done: Montero buried a jumper and soon added a three-pointer to put Valencia on track to win the game, 74-63, with 8 minutes remaining. Montero finished the game with 24 points, scoring 20 of those in the final 22 minutes of the game.

"I don't really focus on points. I am just trying to do my thing the best I can do, to help the team to get the dub. I know I am really good at getting points but I am just trying to do my thing," Montero said. "They are a great team and we can never give up. We know it is not going to be an easy series. They have great players and we have to fight through it, just keep in the momentum."

Game Videos

Valencia had 4 assists before the break but once Montero found his rhythm, everybody followed. Valencia had 14 assists in the second half and committed just 9 turnovers. It also outrebounded Hapoel by 42-31, including 16 offensive rebounds. 

After the game, Valencia head coach [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro?season=U2024) praised Hapoel's defense and said that he expects another top-class basketball battle in Game 2 on Friday.

"We beat a great team that plays very tough, very smart, an incredibly well-coached team. We had a lot of problems and were out of rhythm for a lot of minutes," Coach Martinez said after the game. "It was a tough game, maybe the toughest game of the season for us. We have to prepare, because the next game is going to be very similar to this."

If anyone questioned why Montero is nicknamed 'El Problema', he supplied answers on Tuesday night

Valencia Basket v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-03-25T19:30:00.000Z)

Jean Montero scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half 


Valencia outlasts Hapoel at home, 91-82! 

Valencia Basket got closer to its eighth EuroCup Finals by downing Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 91-82 at La Fonteta in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal playoff series on Tuesday.

Valencia took a 1-0 lead in the series and earned a chance to punch its finals ticket if it beats Hapoel again in Game 2 in Samokov, Bulgaria. Jean Montero led the winners with 24 points. Chris Jones and Matt Costello each added 13 while Nate Reuvers had 12 for Valencia. Yam Madar and Marcus Foster were Hapoel's top scorers with 20 points apiece. Johnathan Motley had 12 while Antonio Blakeney added 10 for the visitors.

Blakeney got Hapoel going with a five-meter jumper and Motley added a layup. Tomer Ginat capped a 0-6 opening run with a backdoor layup. Jones halved the Valencia deficit, Yam Madar followed Motley's layup with a three-pointer. Reuvers dunked and Jones added a jumper, but Madar singlehandedly kept the visitors in charge, 8-15. Montero sank a six-meter shot before Jaime Pradilla ignited the crowd with a coast-to-coast dunk. After Ish Wainright and Stefan Jovic traded layups, Ginat struck from beyond the arc to boost Hapoel's lead to 14-20. Brancou Badio found his first points for Valencia. Ginat matched Jovic's layup with a floater and Foster's power basket established a 20-24 Hapoel lead after 10 minutes.

Reuvers took over with an alley-oop dunk early in the second quarter and then Jones followed a layup with a triple to give Valencia its first lead, 27-24. Montero capped a 9-0 run with a layup, prompting Hapoel to call timeout at 29-24. Madar struck from downtown and matched Jones's backdoor basket with a layup. He then scored in penetration to tie it at 31-31. Pradilla scored in the low post and Blakeney struck twice from beyond the arc before Jovic drew Valencia within 34-37. Motley stepped up with a three-point play and got help from Blakeney and Marcus Bingham to make it a double-digit game, 36-46. Montero and Costello brought Valencia closer, 42-48, at halftime.  

 

Montero followed a layup with a floater after the break and soon added a wild four-point play to put Valencia back ahead, 50-48. Costello capped a 12-0 Valencia run with a jump hook. Madar and Timor stepped up to bring Hapoel within 52-51. Reuvers made free throws before Costello followed a jump hook and a three-pointer that prompted Hapoel to call timeout at 59-51. Foster tried to change things with a bomb from downtown and matched Pradilla's fastbreak layup with a driving basket that brought Hapoel within 62-57. Bingham made foul shots before Montero's off-balance three-point play gave Valencia plenty of fresh air, 65-59, at the end of the third quarter.

 

Madar buried a jumper off the dribble, which Costello immediately erased with a fastbreak layup. Montero sank a jumper and followed Costello's layup with a bomb from beyond the arc that boosted Valencia's lead to 74-63. Foster followed a driving layup with a three-pointer to give Hapoel hope, 74-68, with 6 minutes left. Reuvers dunked and Jovic erased Foster's floater with a driving layup. Foster buried a corner triple after a timeout. Reuvers took over with an alley-oop slam and Badio's layup-plus-foul kept Valencia in control, 83-74, with over 3 minutes remaining. After Timor struck from downtown, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui scored around the basket and Pradilla's layup sealed the outcome, 87-77. Hapoel kept fighting but the Valencia fans were already celebrating an important home win.

Valencia outlasts Hapoel at home, 91-82

Bahcesehir College Istanbul dominated on the glass and got a huge lift from its second unit en route to a 74-66 victory over Dreamland Gran Canaria in the opening game of their best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals series

Bahcesehir's second unit lifted it in Game 1

It may not have been the way coach Dejan Radonjic drew it up, but it worked perfectly. Bahcesehir College Istanbul dominated on the glass and got a huge lift from its second unit en route to a 74-66 victory over Dreamland Gran Canaria in the opening game of their best-of-three BKT EuroCup Semifinals series.

The home team scored its first basket of the game, a CJ Massinburg three-pointer, after a Kenan Sipahi offensive rebound and continued to control the boards the rest of the night. By the end, Bahcesehir outrebounded Gran Canaria 42-27, including a whopping 20 offensive boards. The home team turned those into 16 second-chance points.

The man who led the way was Marko Simonovic, who tallied 8 rebounds. Those were part of a spectacular line that also included 20 points, 3 assists and 3 steals for a personal-best PIR of 29.

Bahcesehir's reserves made the difference in Game 1

What made his line stand out even more was the fact that Simonovic did not start the game. He was joined by Sehmus Hazer, Furkan Korkmaz and Jalen Smith among Bahcesehir who left their mark on the game despite coming off the bench.

That quartet combined for 42 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals. The Bahcesehir starters had 32 points, 24 rebounds, 11 assists and 3 steals in 27 more combined minutes.

Hazer made his mark early, subbing in with the game tied 15-15 and promptly nailing a three-point shot from the corner. He would add a monster slam in the second quarter and finished the game with 9 points, 3 assists and 1 steal in 19 minutes.  

Korkmaz did his damage in the second quarter when he scored all 8 points of his points. Smith clocked in with just 5 points, but dished 6 assists.

Their impact can be seen in the +/- stats with Simonovic at +19, Smith +9 and Hazer +7, showing how Bahcesehir simply played its best basketball with them on the floor.

The series now moves to Spain for Game 2 on Friday and Gran Canaria will need to pay extra attention to Bahcesehir's second unit if it hopes to tie the series and force a deciding game next week back in Istanbul.

The Turkish side has the advantage in its series with Gran Canaria

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-03-25T17:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul is one win away from the BKT EuroCup Finals after defeating former champion Dreamland Gran Canaria 74-66 in the opening game of their best-of-three semifinals series at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall

Bahcesehir overpowers Gran Canaria 74-66 in Game 1 of semifinals

Bahcesehir College Istanbul is one win away from the BKT EuroCup Finals after defeating former champion Dreamland Gran Canaria 74-66 in the opening game of their best-of-three semifinals series at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. After trailing by 5 in the opening quarter, Axel Bouteille fueled a 13-0 run for the hosts who held on the rest of the way.

The lead would reach 18 at one point, before Gran Canaria was able to rally within 5 in the fourth quarter. However Marko Simonovic made sure Bahcesehir held on for the victory by scoring 10 of his game-high 20 points in the last period. Simonovic also posted 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a brilliant performance, while Bouteille finished with 15 points for the winners. Mike Tobey posted 14 points for Gran Canaria in defeat.

Bahcesehir opened the scoring with a second-chance three-pointer from CJ Massinburg before Gran Canaria got going with a pair of jumpers. Bouteille and John Shurna traded threes to make it 8-8. Tobey stepped up with a slam and a three to put the visitors ahead and Joe Thomasson broke down his defender for a layup and a 10-15 lead. Bouteille scored 5 straight points to tie things and then he fed Sehmus Hazer for a go-ahead triple. Simonovic added a slam before Bouteille scored again to complete a 13-0 run. A long jumper by Caleb Homesley drew Gran Canaria within 27-21 after 10 minutes.

After a layup by Hazer, Furkan Korkmaz's free throws gave the hosts a double-digit lead. Korkmaz added a three-pointer for a 34-21 lead. Homesley free throws ended a 3+ minute scoring drought, but Bahcesehir continued to roll as Jaleen Smith connected from deep and Korkmaz got to the line, prompting a Gran Canaria timeout. Shurna stepped up with 3 free throws and a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 40-29. Bahcesehir used its rebounding prowess to overpower the visitors and Tyler Cavanaugh's three-pointer made it 47-33. The half ended with the home team ahead 49-37.

Cavanaugh knocked down a three and Simonovic added a jumper as Bahcesehir extended its lead to 17, which prompted a Gran Canaria timeout. The stoppage changed little as the hosts continued to score almost at will. The visitors showed signs of life with a Nicolas Brussino three and a Homesley jumper to get within 59-46. George Conditt helped Gran Canaria continue to chip away at the deficit and Mehdy Ngouma's three-pointer ended the low-scoring third quarter with the score 62-52.

Ngouma scored twice to get Gran Canaria within 7 early in the fourth quarter as the Bahcesehir attack stalled. Thomasson picked off a pass and cashed it in for a layup that made it 64-59. That was as close as Gran Canaria would get as Simonovic scored on the next two possessions. The visitors continued to fight, but the clock became an opponent, too, and Bahcesehir was able to hold on in the final minutes.

Marko Simonovic was the star performer for the winners with 20 points and 8 rebounds

Igor Petrinovic explains why he can see Bahcesehir College Istanbul lifting the EuroCup trophy this season.

Why Bahcesehir can win the EuroCup

Defense wins championships, right? And the secret of [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/)’s success is the team’s defense.

Coach [Dejan Radonjic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/radonjic-dejan/) has put together a roster to his liking, one that will have enough on offense to cause opposition play-callers a headache (Bahcesehir is averaging a respectable 82.2 points), but also one that will shine on defense. And his squad has played some stellar defense this season.

This Bahcesehir side allows the fewest points (75.1 ppg.) in the EuroCup this season. It also holds opponents to a league-low in rebounds (32.6 rpg.), allows the third-fewest assists (16.3) and holds opponents to 51.3% two-point shooting, the third-lowest mark this season.

Bahcesehir has held opponent to 70 points or fewer in eight games this season, and in four more it allowed 76 or fewer.

Jaleen Smith Top Plays of the 2024 Regular Season

Jaleen Smith is the leader for Bahcesehir

Bahcesehir also understands how important it is to take care of the ball as it commits a EuroCup-low 11.2 turnovers. That part of the game is a product of the team’s experience.

The likes of [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/), [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) and [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) have played a lot of EuroCup and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball, so they certainly understand the importance how every possession matters.

Also, those four might be the team leaders, but Bahcesehir has a deep roster and its frontcourt is among the most dangerous in the competition, with the inside force of [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/), the long range-shooting of [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/), and a bit of both from [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/).

Add the X-factor called [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/) into the equation and the importance of getting [CJ Massinburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/cj-massinburg/011821/) and Pontika back after long absences, as well as mid-season playmaking addition of [Kenan Sipahi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenan-sipahi/005275/) fitting in like a glove, and Bahcesehir seems ready to make a push for the throne.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">👉 BKT EuroCup Yarı Final ilk maçında, evimizde 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚’yı konuk ediyoruz!<br><br>🗓️ 25 Mart Salı<br>⏰ 20.00<br>📍 Sinan Erdem Spor Salonu<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HayalDe%C4%9FilHedef?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HayalDeğilHedef</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/unR3iWWYNs">pic.twitter.com/unR3iWWYNs</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1903701306180550863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This group of guys are certainly hungry for success because, among all the names listed above, there are no EuroCup titles next to their name. There are many EuroCup finals, and semifinals and quarterfinals appearances, but no championships.

This team, these players and their head coach have not been flashy, but steady. And showcased they know how to win games. They certainly can win four more and go all the way.

Igor Petrinovic explains why he can see the club from Istanbul is going all this way

Geoff Gillingham explains why he can envisage Jaka Lakovic’s CB Gran Canaria going all this way in the EuroCup this season.

Why Gran Canaria can win the EuroCup

Been there, done that, got the postcard. That’s certainly the message [Jaka Lakovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/lakovic-jaka/) will be stressing to his [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/) players ahead of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Just two years ago (yes, time does fly when you’re having fun), Gran Canaria lifted its first major trophy by winning the EuroCup. That team, led by Coach Lakovic, really was the crème de la crème of the EuroCup in 2022-23, and five players on the current roster were part of that triumph: [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/), [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/), [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/) and [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/).

Remembering the 2023 EuroCup Final!

Immediately, that is something that should play in Gran Canaria’s favor at this stage of the campaign. Experience and know-how are what teams lean on during the playoffs and, in that sense, the Canary Island side have it in abundance. [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/), one of the new recruits last summer, is another who knows what it takes after winning the 2019 EuroCup title with Valencia Basket, a team Gran Canaria may meet in the finals.

But first, Bahcesehir College Istanbul. The Turkish club has lofty ambitions, yet this is its first year back in the EuroCup. To date, Bahcesehir has played 29 games in the competition. Gran Canaria? 267, the most all-time. The 2023 champion knows the EuroCup inside out, and that’ll become clear during its series with Bahcesehir.

These two teams did already meet in the regular season, splitting the series, but the playoffs are a different beast altogether. This is when the real Gran Canaria comes to play.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PermitidoSo%C3%B1ar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PermitidoSoñar</a>. Conocemos el camino. Esfuerzo, sacrificio y trabajo en equipo. El martes arranca una batalla que llegará el viernes a nuestra casa ⚔️🔥 <a href="https://t.co/6BccL4cEYn">pic.twitter.com/6BccL4cEYn</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1903794192179945799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On top of the experience that Gran Canaria can offer, it has such a deep roster that any player could step up on any given night. So far in this postseason, we’ve already seen big games by [Mehdy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/), a EuroCup champion with Paris Basketball last season, Tobey, Brussino and [Joe Thomasson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-thomasson/012095/) in the last 16, then [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) and the trio of Tobey, Thomasson and Brussino once again in the quarterfinals.

The impressive thing about Gran Canaria is that, in any of the semifinal games, it wouldn’t come as a shock if Salvo, Shurna, Albicy, [Pierre Pelos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/pierre-pelos/010452/) or [George Conditt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/george-conditt-iv/012016/) had a telling impact on the contest. That variety makes Coach Lakovic’s group a scary proposition for any team.

For now, Gran Canaria will be wanting to take it one game at a time. That said, if we end up getting an all-Spanish finals against Valencia Basket, the Canary Island outfit is 1-0 against Pedro Martinez’s men in the Spanish League this season. As they say in Spain, *ojo*.

Ever since winning the EuroCup title in 2023, Gran Canaria has been sponsored by Dreamland, which feels fitting given that’s exactly where their fans will be if – as I suspect – they witness another championship run.

Geoff Gillingham explains why he can envisage Jaka Lakovic’s side going all this way this season

Javier Gancedo goes into what makes Valencia Basket the favorite, not just in its series against Hapoel Tel Aviv but also overall.

Why Valencia Basket can win the EuroCup

Sometimes, things are meant to be and the best team takes home the trophy. It's as simple as that.

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) has consistently proved to be the best team in the BKT EuroCup this year. It comes into the semifinals with just two losses to its name, which came when the team was already on the right track to be first in its regular-season group. It has dominated the competition in style, playing great basketball. It has scored 100 points or more in 11 of its 19 games this season and even reached 127 points in the Spanish League this past weekend, a new club record. Good momentum is everything in a playoff series, and Valencia heads into the most decisive games of the season at full speed.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🔥🇪 🇸🔥<br>🔥🇱 🇦🔥<br>🔥🇭 🇴 🇷 🇦🔥<br><br>Fonteta... ¿Estamos preparados para lo que viene? <br><br>🏆 P1 1/2 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🏡🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HapoelTLVBC</a><br>⌚ Martes-20:30h<br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/MovistarPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MovistarPlus</a><br>🤝🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/pamesaceramica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pamesaceramica</a> <a href="https://t.co/QulWaHCXQM">pic.twitter.com/QulWaHCXQM</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1904226637962527006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sure, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv has the star power and a two-time EuroLeague-winning coach like Dimitris Itoudis. It managed to bounce back from [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/)'s departure by bringing back homegrown hero [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/), a former EuroLeague Rising Star award winner. Valencia has everything else in its favor: know-how, depth and home-court advantage.

This is Valencia's 10th EuroCup semifinal appearance and it is aiming to lift its fifth title. No other team has won the EuroCup more than twice. Every time Valencia played a semifinal under the current format, it went through: against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in 2017 and UNICS Kazan in 2019. Valencia means serious business when is this close to the goal.

Valencia has a really deep roster and the fact that I didn't mention any of its players until now is not a coincidence. Anyone can step up and contribute. As many as nine players average over 7.0 points per game, led by small forward [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) (12.8 ppg.). [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-costello/010444/) and [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/) have stepped up in recent games, but it could be just anyone. Hapoel has very well-defined scoring options and in that sense, coach Pedro Martinez's team is way more unpredictable... in a good way.

Semi Ojeleye of Valencia Basket averages 12.8 points so far in this 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Semi Ojeleye: Valencia's top scorer

Home-court advantage means a lot to Valencia as it has won 86.6% of all EuroCup games played at La Fonteta. Only four teams have ever beaten Valencia in postseason action: Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in the 2013 semifinals, Khimki Moscow Region in the 2015 quarterfinals, Unicaja Malaga in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals and Virtus Bologna in the 2022 semifinals. Valencia rarely loses at home, and it has an extra motivation. 

At the end of this season, the club will move to the bigger, brand-new Roig Arena. There is no better way to say goodbye to La Fonteta than winning the EuroCup and opening Roig Arena in the EuroLeague, the best stage possible.

Coach Martinez is looking to reach his third EuroCup Finals. In 2008, his Akasvayu Girona side lost against Joventut Badalona in Turin, Italy. In 2017, his Valencia squad had everything in their favor, leading by 13 points with 9 minutes left but ended up losing a do-or-die Game 3 against Unicaja Malaga. This is the kind of painful memory that never goes away, and I think Valencia can use it as an extra motivation, like it did in the 2019 Finals against ALBA Berlin. Given Valencia's strength at home, it is unlikely that it loses twice against any opponent this season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🗣️ Habla Pedro<br>&quot;𝘚𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘫𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘺 𝘭𝘢 𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪ó𝘯 𝘦𝘴 𝘮á𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘢. 𝘝𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘫𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘴&quot;<br><br>🏆 P1 1/2 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🏡🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HapoelTLVBC</a> <br>⌚ Martes-20:30h<br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/MovistarPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MovistarPlus</a> <br>🤝🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/pamesaceramica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pamesaceramica</a> <a href="https://t.co/sKKNYNNTSv">pic.twitter.com/sKKNYNNTSv</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1904134348607041814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If you want numbers, Valencia has them all. It leads the competition in scoring (96.5 ppg.), defensive rebounds (27.7 drpg.), assists (23.6 apg.), three-point shots attempted (34.6) and accuracy (39.1% 3FG). The faster Valencia plays the better chance it has to win, and with such depth and physicality, it will make sure to speed up the game tempo as often as possible.

Four excellent teams made it to the EuroCup Semifinals and any of them could lift the trophy at the end of the season. But, personally, I would be surprised if that team is not Valencia.

Javier Gancedo goes into what makes Valencia the favorite, not just in its series against Hapoel Tel Aviv but also overall