### Partizan NIS Belgrade head coach Zeljko Obradovic:

"We need to continue playing seriously. We already played against Trento and we know everything about our opponent, so it is crucial to play the best we can from the very first until the very last minute. The time ahead us we have to use for preparation as the playoffs start right after a few games. It means elimination games. We have to think about that and to train that way and prepare ourselves that way." 

### Partizan NIS Belgrade player Uros Trifunovic:

"We know Trento very well. We know their gym. Despite the fact that we will surely finish second and they will be last in our group, this game is very important for us to prepare for the challenges ahead of us. Next three games will be a very good opportunity for us to see what we can improve and to get ready for the most important part of the season." 

Pre-game quotes: Trento vs. Partizan

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Partizan NIS Belgrade (2022-04-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Zeljko Obradovic - Partizan NIS Belgrade (photo Dragana Stjepanovic - Partizan) - EC21

### Promitheas Patras head coach Ilias Zouros:

"The game against Cedevita is the last one for us in the 7DAYS EuroCup competition. We want to be competitive, finish strong and focus on the Greek league for the remaining of the season. Most important for us, is to remain healthy."

### Promitheas Patras player Georgios Tanoulis:

"We play against a very good team like Cedevita but it’s the last EuroCup game for us and we want to finish the season strong. The goal in every game for us is winning and that’s what we want to do in this game also."

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana head coach Jurica Golemac:

"Certainly the match is extremely important to us. We need to play focused and do our best. Promitheas has certain injury problems, but we shouldn’t think about it as it is an experienced team led from the bench by an experienced coach. If we don't do our best and be maximally focused, we will have problems, so we are preparing for this match as we have for every other match so far." 

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana player Zoran Dragic:

"We want to record another victory. There are no secrets. We want to finish the regular part of the season in the 7DAYS EuroCup in third place in our group. The match will be very interesting. We know that we should not relax too much, just like at Sunday's match in Podgorica, because then we can have problems. We will enter the match with all our might and do our best to confirm the advantage of the home field at the beginning of the playoffs."

Pre-game quotes: Patras vs. Cedevita

Promitheas Patras v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2022-04-06T16:30:00.000Z)

Ilias Zouros - Promitheas Patras (photo Luka Novakovic - Buducnost) - EC21-RS15

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica head coach Aleksandar Dzikic:

"They are in a good rhythm after the last national teams window. Their "new" player Holland is a good fit for them, they still use a shorter rotation, and it is giving them results. We expect them to be very aggressive in defense, strenching it full court, trying to cut off our guards, so we will prepare for it, plus they have good periods with "small ball unit" on the floor, and thats another challenge for us. Our goal is to come out and play with energy, ready to help each other, on both ends of the floor."

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica head coach player Vladimir Micov:

"The last round of the EuroCup and we are not in the best situation and mood due to the defeats we experienced in the previous period. We lost the desired position before the playoffs so we depend on other teams' results and on Wednesday we will know for sure where we will end up. We have to try to get together and play the best we can, they are a team that has been rising with very good games lately. Bursa plays with a short rotation where two Americans are leaders. If we manage to control them, we can hope for victory."

Here are some insightful comments about the game from the protagonists themselves.

Pre-game quotes: Bursaspor vs. Buducnost

Frutti Extra Bursaspor v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2022-04-05T17:45:00.000Z)

Aleksandar Dzikic - Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (photo Luka Novakovic - Buducnost) - EC21-RS15

Swingmen Kodi Justice of Slask Wroclaw and Oriol Pauli of MoraBanc Andorra will lock horns in their team’s Round 18 contest on Wednesday.

Major Matchup: Slask’s Justice vs. Andorra’s Pauli

Justice has enjoyed a strong first season in the EuroCup with 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. With Slask’s top scorer, Travis Trice, not expected to play, Justice will be asked to carry more weight in the team’s final game at home this season. He buried 3 three-pointers and totaled 13 points, 4 assists and 2 steals when these teams met in Round 9 in Andorra, though the hosts cruised 99-65. Justice will have to be at his best to lead Slask this time.

Pauli contributed 10 points with just 1 missed shot, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in that game and has been worth 8.1 points, 4.5 boards and 2.5 assists for the season. His activity on both ends of the floor has been important for Andorra and he will look to lead the team on Wednesday both by stifling Justice and co. on one and making an impact on offense in transition and cuts to the basket.  

Slask Wroclaw v MoraBanc Andorra (2022-04-06T16:45:00.000Z)

Oriol Pauli - MoraBanc Andorra (photo Martin Imatge - Andorra) - EC21

Play in the paint could have a big role in this with Promitheas Patras relying on Jerai Grant and Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Zach Auguste.

Major Matchup: Promitheas’s Grant vs. Cedevita’s Auguste

Grant has been in fine form recently with averages of 19.0 points on 67.6% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block over his last three games. He posted 18 points and 8 rebounds when Promitheas visited Ljubljana earlier this season. That combination of form, favorable matchup and the desire to shine in his last EuroCup game this season should spell an excellent performance for Grant.

Auguste has the mixture of speed and athleticism to stick with Grant and he too has been in good form, averaging 12.3 points on 15-of-19 two-point shooting (78.9%) and 5.0 rebounds over his last three games, despite playing more than 17 minutes only once. Auguste missed just 1 shot in scoring 19 the last time he faced Promitheas. His impact on the game in short bursts off the bench has been a major weapon for Cedevita and if he can do so again, it only makes his team tougher to stop. 

Zach Auguste - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (photo Ales Ferves - Cedevita) - EC21

Here are five players we recommend that you consider for your EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams this week. 

Fantasy tips: Some big suggestions

This is it, EuroCup Fantasy Challenge managers. The regular season is about to finish and our main contest comes to an end, too. Remember our regular season winner gets an official EuroCup Spalding basketball, a voucher for 1,000 EUR to spend on Turkish Airlines airfare, three EuroCup jerseys of his choice and a EuroLeague TV subscription for the 2022-23 Season. If we take a look at the standings, Daniel Gomes of Portugal is ahead of everyone else with 3,062.73 points, followed by three Italian managers: Raffaele Zocchi (3,051.99), Riccardo Bernardini (3,049.73) and Stefano Manzoni (3,039.53). It is not realistic to think anyone else can win, so good luck to the four contenders for the Grand Prize! 

Even after the Round 18 games, the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge will continue. There is more content for the playoffs and the finals. All teams will be reset and start from scratch. So even if you didn't have a great season, you can start over and have a chance to win! The playoffs and finals winner gets two EuroCup jerseys of his choice, an official EuroCup Spalding basketball and a EuroLeague TV Subscription for next season. Not bad at all! 

First thing's first - we have one round left and it is our duty to recommend some players that can help challenge for your private league title or just to climb a few spots in the overall standings before it is all over. This week on our list we have four very different yet very efficient big men as well as a well-rounded veteran.

Kevarrius Hayes, Nicolas Bretzel, Mitchell Watt, Zoran Dragic, Jasiel Rivero Top Plays of the 2021-22 Round 17 and of the 2021-22 Round 16

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge tips Regular Season Round 18

Without further ado, here are our EuroCup Fantasy Challenge recommendations for Round 18: 

Kevarrius Hayes, Frutti Extra Bursapor (11.5 credits) - He earned MVP of the Round honors for the first time in his career last week after posting 25 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocked shots in a victory over ratiopharm Ulm. Such a huge performance should give Hayes plenty of confidence in his team's game against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, which will probably be without Willie Reed. The man of the moment in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge right now! 

Nicolas Bretzel, ratiopharm Ulm (4.0 credits) - Ulm has been without Cristiano Felicio and Philipp Herkenhoff recently and has only Bretzel available at center. He is making the most of his extended playing time. In Round 17, Bretzel had 10 points and he was even better in the German League this weekend (18 points, 19 PIR). All for just 4.0 credits. The main setback is going against Mike Tobey, Bojan Dubljevic and Jasiel Rivero. 

Mitchell Watt, Umana Reyer Venice (12.6 credits) - Watt has been one of Reyer's pillars since he joined the team in 2017. He knows it is do-or-die time and has been very consistent lately. In the last three games, Watt has averaged 11.0 points on 14-of-21 two-point shooting, 5.3 rebounds and a PIR of 15.3 in less than 21 minutes per night. Reyer wants to rank as high as possible and should go all-in against Gran Canaria. 

Jasiel Rivero, Valencia Basket (11.2 credits) - Rivero has been in good form lately and Valencia goes against Ulm, which has been struggling with frontcourt injuries. Valencia needs to win to finish second in Group B, but Rivero needs no extra motivation. He has averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and a PIR of 16.0 in the last three games. Expect 'El Papi' to keep dominating in the paint. 

Zoran Dragic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (10.0 credits) - Dragic needed no adjustment period when he joined Cedevita. Born in Ljubljana, he has played with most of his former teammates in the past. He is delivering, too, averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 16.0 in his team's last three games. Dragic comes off his first-ever double-double in the EuroCup with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Round 17 against Valencia.

Kevarrius Hayes - Frutti Extra Bursaspor (photo Larry Langer - Ulm) - EC21-RS17

When Lietkabelis Panevezys defeated Hamburg Towers on the road 72-87 on Monday, it was more than just about moving into the top four of the Group B standings and, possibly, remaining there to host a home game in the upcoming 7DAYS EuroCup Eighthfinals.

Lietkabelis came a long way between meetings with Hamburg

Lietkabelis had only been involved in one 100-point game this season, but that three-digit magic number belonged to Hamburg during its Round 4 visit to Panevezys. Lietkablis set a club record that night with a performance index rating of 114 and tied another with 25 assists. Gediminas Orelik tied yet another club record by scoring 31 points. 

But all that good offensive play was for naught because Lietkabelis's defense let Hamburg score 33 points in each of the first and fourth quarters and take the victory with a matching PIR of 114.

On Monday, in making up their Round 13 game, Lietkablis made sure no such mistake would happen again by limiting Hamburg to a single free throw in the first 5 minutes and 6 total points in the first 9. This time, Lietkabelis amassed another soaring PIR of 107, but in contrast to the first game between them, Hamburg was left with a PIR of 58. 

Watch the Game Highlights from Hamburg Towers vs. Lietkabelis Panevezys, 04/04/2022

Hamburg Towers vs Lietkabelis Panevezys | Highlights | Round 13

That was proof, if anyone needed it, of improvement since that earlier meeting in Hamburg on November 10, which was part of Lietkabelis's 3-5 start to the season. Since the turn of the calendar to 2022, Lietkabelis is 6-3.

Now, the team can host an eighthfinals game with a win at Boulogne Metropolitans 92 on Wednesday, which would give it third place, a remarkable leap. Or Lietkabelis can hold onto fourth place if MoraBanc Andorra loses at Slask Wroclaw earlier the same evening. 

Those home fans were bitterly disappointed back on November 10 but will be delighted if Lietkabelis finishes the week by bringing home an extra EuroCup home game of the do-or-die variety, just what every basketball fan loves this time of year.

Lietkabelis Panevezys celebrates (Photo Marvin Contessi) - EC21-RS13

Hamburg Towers v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-04-04T17:30:00.000Z)

### Trento needs to shoot better 

Trento has improved its scoring average throughout the season but still ranks 19th with 72.3 points per night. It has paid a high price for its low shooting percentages, especially inside the arc. Trento is last with a 44.7% two-point shooting percentage - the second-lowest in the last five EuroCup seasons. Trento is also at the bottom in three-point shooting percentage (30.1%). Without the pressure of having to qualify, Trento must share the ball better, which should lead to better shots and higher percentages. 

### Partizan must keep hustling 

Partizan NIS Belgrade, like all teams coached by Zeljko Obradovic, is excelling in all hustle stats. Partizan ranks third in offensive rebounds at 12.3 per night, only allowing opponents to get 10.4 boards under its own rim. Partizan is also fourth in steals at 7.9 per night and ranks first in blocked shots (3.4 bpg.). All that hustle leads to easy points - Partizan leads the competition in two-point shooting percentages at 57.7%. It is easier said than done, but if Partizan stays focused on defense and plays with its usual aggressiveness, offense should come easier with many transition baskets. 

Dolomiti Energia Trento plays its last 7DAYS EuroCup game this season. It hosts Partizan NIS Belgrade, the second-ranked team in Group A. 

Keys to victory: Trento vs. Partizan

Rodions Kurucs - Partizan NIS Belgrade (photo Dragana Stjepanovic - Partizan) - EC21

### Promitheas: Agravanis should lead 

Promitheas Patras has several injured players. but one of its most experienced ones has stood out lately. Dimitris Agravanis had 22 points and a PIR of 26 against Umana Reyer Venice in Round 17 and followed up with a huge performance (33 points, 14-of-14 two-point shooting, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 50 PIR) in Greek League action. Dario Hunt is sidelined, so Jerai Grant should see most of the playing time in the paint. Promitheas gave plenty of playing time to its youngest players in Round 17, so Georgios Tanoulis and Athanasios Basinas may have extra opportunities in this game. 

### Cedevita has to keep rolling 

Cedevita is on a seven-game winning streak in which everything seems to be going right. Coach Jurica Golemac has his team playing up-tempo and is playing off. In the last seven games, Cedevita has averaged 95.1 points and broke the 100-point mark three times. That's way above its season average of 86.9 points per night. Adding center Alen Omic, swingman Zoran Dragic and combi guard Yogi Ferrell has taken Cedevita to the next level. Despite allowing 84.8 points per night, its huge offensive productivity allows Cedevita to outscore any opponent if it finds the right rhythm. 

In its final EuroCup game this season, Promitheas Patras hosts Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Round 18. Cedevita is fighting for second place in Group B. 

Keys to victory: Promitheas vs. Cedevita

Kendrick Ray - Promitheas Patras (photo Ales Ferves - Cedevita) - EC21