Lietkabelis Panevezys took a critical step forward to fight for home-court advantage in the eighthfinals by downing MoraBanc Andorra 88-75 at Cido Arena in Group A on Tuesday. 

Gagic, Orelik lead Lietkabelis over Andorra, 88-75 

Lietkabelis improved to 8-5 in the standings while Andorra dropped to 9-5. Both teams had already qualified for the knock-out rounds. Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Djordje Gagic and Gediminas Orelik led the winners with 19 points apiece and Vytenis Lipkevicius added 11 for Lietkabelis. Codi Miller-McIntyre paced Andorra with 17 points, Drew Crawford added 15 and Oriol Pauli had 10 for the visitors. Orelik scored 13 first-quarter points and got help from Kalaitzakis to give Lietkabelis a double-digit lead, 29-19, after 10 minutes. The margin was 51-38 at halftime and reached 61-40 soon after the break as the hosts cruised the rest of the way.

Post-game quotes: Lietkabelis vs. Andorra

### Lietkabelis Panevezys head coach Nenad Canak:

"Of course, it can always be better, but I am satisfied because we won against a very good team. We won by more points difference than we won there, and of course, it was a very tough game, but tonight we had great support from our fans. I hope that they will continue supporting us in the decisive part of the season. It is always like this: in the first few offenses, you can see how your team is focused, and how it follows the rules, and today, we were good in that segment except the transition defense in the first half. Like I said, \[fan support\] means a lot to us. We feel their support and I hope they will continue and come in an even bigger number.

"We started well defensively - in halfcourt offense, we managed to stop Miller-McIntyre, but we especially had problems with transition defense. They scored a lot of points in transition after our scores, they made a fast transition and scored. That is not acceptable at this level. In the second half, somehow we solved that and beat a tough team by more than 5 points difference. We have a real chance to be in the first four in our group."

### MoraBanc Andorra head coach David Eudal:

"We started bad again with a bad first quarter. We let them do what they are used to doing, score a lot of points. We were not tough enough on defense as they were. They were very tough and played with a lot of contact. We didn't match their energy and toughness until the second quarter, and after that, we tried to compete in the second half. We were recovering, and it was difficult to come back. And they played well and held their advantage. We have to learn from it and try to start better in our next games."

### Lietkabelis Panevezys center Djordje Gagic: 

"We had a tough trip to Badalona and after that, we also had a tough game. But we had time to recover and prepare the game. And on the court, we won. The beginning of the game \[was important\] and also how we started the second half. That was so important - we stayed as a team, fighting as a team and building everything from our defense. That was the key. " 

Nenad Canak - Lietkabelis Panevezys - (photo David Grau - Joventut) EC21-RS15

This is what the protagonists had to say after the Round 16 showdown between Turk Telekom Ankara and Dolomiti Energia Trento.

Post-game quotes: Turk Telekom vs. Trento

### Henrik Rodl, Turk Telekom Ankara head coach: 

“The guys fought. Give credit to them. Congratulate them for this very important win. I know it’s somewhat expected that we beat Trento at home but the way we’ve been playing lately and the tough loss we had on Saturday to come back, down 10 in the third quarter and to win this game is very big for our team, for our confidence, also for knowing how to turn games around and what we need to do going forward.”

### Emanuele Molin, Dolomiti Energia Trento head coach: 

“After we got the lead by 10 points we had too many turnovers. That is the key to the loss. Nothing else.”

### Anthony Clemmons, Turk Telekom Ankara guard: 

“We knew that we had to come out with energy. We just had a tough, devastating loss this past Saturday. We just wanted to redeem ourselves and come out and fight the way we know how to fight. We had a tough stretch after the break but now I think we are back on track. This win was very important for us in the EuroCup. I’m just happy for my team. We all fought. This was a team win. We needed this one.”

Turk Telekom Ankara v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2022-03-22T17:00:00.000Z)

Anthony Clemmons - Turk Telekom Ankara (photo Turk Telekom) - EC21-RS16

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

Pre-game quotes: Gran Canaria vs. Buducnost

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica head coach Aleksandar Dzikic:

"They are first in our group, their results are proof of their quality. Both teams are different than they were in our first match. They are an aggressive open court team, with good shooters and players with iso qualities. Their bigs are a challenge for every opponent, changing the game on both ends."

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica player, Justin Cobbs:

"A difficult game awaits us against the team atop the group standings. There are only three rounds left in the group stage and every game is important because of the position on the table. Gran Canaria has proven how good they are and they’ve been at the top of the group whole season. We both enter the game from defeats and are eager to turn things around. It is important that we come out with our best focus and with great energy, to give everything to win on the road."

Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2022-03-23T20:00:00.000Z)

Dylan Ennis - Gran Canaria (photo Buducnost) - EC21

With the 7DAYS EuroCup signing deadline now having passed, time will tell which mid-season newcomers will have the greatest ultimate impact. But already, Umana Reyer Venice, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Virtus Segafredo Bologna, and Partizan NIS Belgrade area among several teams that have been bolstered with additions who are taking on key roles in the regular season.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1323143/eurocups-key-mid-season-additions/)

Sometimes a key piece to transform itself in the middle of the season and surprise its opponents is all that a team is missing!

Trademarks by Eurohoops: EuroCup’s key mid-season additions

Jordan Theodore - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Bursaspor) - EC21-RS11

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana head coach Jurica Golemac:

“Umana Reyer is coming to Stozice, and this will be the fourth consecutive visit for our rivals. It is an extremely high-quality team that has greatly changed its composition and, among other things, brought in two new players, Jordan Theodore and the Slovenian national team player Jordan Morgan. In Valencia and Bologna, the Venetians were in the lead for most of the match, but did not hold out until the end. Certainly Umana Reyer is a team that is among the best in our group. They play specifically, with a lot of zone defense and takeovers, so we’re going to have to focus on their game in defense. Our game in defense will have to be physical, better than in previous matches, we will also have to be in the jump, as our rivals have very athletic players. This will definitely be one of the ways to succeed. I invite the fans to join us in as big as number as possible, as we will really need their help. I really hope that the match will be the most visited so far this season, because the guys deserve it.” 

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana player Yogi Ferrell:

“We know Umana Reyer is a very good team. Under both rims our competitors like to play physically and they are very good at it. We are facing a difficult test and we will have to do our best if we want to record a new victory. I invite all the fans to join us. With their energy, the Arena comes to life, it is also easier for us to play. We want them to join us in as big as numbers as possible.” 

### Umana Reyer Venice head coach Walter De Raffaele:

"A great, talented team, even stronger with Dragic. We do have big respect for Olimpija Ljuabljana and their organization. They won five games in a row in EuroCup, 14 of last 16 overall, they are rolling great. It’s an outstanding backcourt team as Ferrell and Pullen talent. We will need to limit their ball movement and crash the boards will be one of our main goals."

### Umana Reyer Venice player Michael Bramos:

"It will be a good test for us. Lubiana is coming off five wins in a row in EuroCup and they are playing really well right now. They score a lot, our defense against their shooters will be really important. We will need to find energy after last three games on the road."

Pre-game quotes: Olimpija vs. Venice

Melvin Ejim - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) - EC21

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-03-23T19:00:00.000Z)

Salvo scored a season-high 15 points in Round 7 when Gran Canaria bested Buducnost in Montenegro 76-83. For the season he has averaged 7.8 points on 45.2% three-point shooting and 3.6 rebounds as a part-time starter. He’s been even more effective lately, averaging 9.0 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting (66.7%) over his last four appearances. Another strong game from Salvo could be the difference-maker this week.

Micov, who scored 10 points against Gran Canaria last time, has been worth 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season. His trusted three-point shooting has abandoned him this season; Micov has made just 22.2% of his attempts from deep, but Micov’s track record shows that he can heat up in an instant. If Micov can do that in Gran Canaria, it could have a major impact and help his team snag a valuable road win. 

Two of the top teams in Group B will clash on Wednesday and small forwards Miquel Salvo of Gran Canaria and Vladimir Micov of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica are sure to be at the center of it. 

Major matchup: Salvo, Gran Canaria vs. Micov, Buducnost

Miquel Salvo - Gran Canaria (photo Gran Canaria) - EC21

Play in the paint will be critical when Boulogne Metropolitans 92 and Joventut Badalona meet on Wednesday and All-EuroCup big man Vince Hunter from the home team and his counterpart Vladimir Brodziansky will surely have key roles. 

Major matchup: Hunter, Metropolitans vs. Brodziansky, Joventut

Hunter had a strong showing for Metropolitans with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals when they met Joventut in Round 7, though the team fell behind early and lost 86-63. For the season, Hunter has been worth 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. His PIR of 17.3 is third among big men this season, however, he has hit a rut recently with a total of 8 points and 7 rebounds over his last two games. Hunter will look to bounce back against Joventut. 

Brodziansky has averaged 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 rebounds for a PIR of 14.6 in 20 minutes per game. He ranks fifth in the competition in per-minute scoring with 25.1 prorated over 40 minutes. Brodziansky only missed two shots in posting 13 points and 6 rebounds when his team beat Metropolitans earlier this season. After a quiet spell between Round 11 and 15, Brodziansky got back on track with 11 points in 15 minutes last week against Lietkabelis Panevezys and could be critical to his team’s chances in Paris this time. 

Boulogne Metropolitans 92 v Joventut Badalona (2022-03-23T19:30:00.000Z)

Vince Hunter - Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (photo Wojciech Cebula - Slask) - EC21

Jaka Blazic of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Stefano Tonut of Umana Reyer Venice are certain to have big roles when their teams meet on Wednesday.

Major matchup: Blazic, Cedevita vs. Tonut, Reyer

Blazic has been the top performer on a red-hot Cedevita side which has won five in a row. He is averaging 15.7 points on 41.1% three-point shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals for a team-high performance index rating of 17.9. Blazic only scored 10 points when Cedevita lost to Reyer in Venice, 77-70, in Round 7, though he also grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds. It is safe to assume he will look to get his share of points this time with the game in the Slovenian capital. 

Tonut is a gutsy all-around guard who can compete with Blazic both with his tough defense and offensive savvy. He has helped his team to the tune of 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season and contributed 16 points and 5 assists to his team’s victory over Cedevita. Reyer has lost three in a row and Tonut struggles in particular in the last two games in which he totaled just 10 points, 1 assist, 4 turnovers and a PIR of 4. He will look to bounce back against Blazic and co. 

Jaka Blazic - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) - EC21