Antonio Blakeney had a career-night performance to lift Hapoel at la Fonteta


Hapoel upsets Valencia to reach the Finals, 92-94! 

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv advanced to the BKT EuroCup Finals for the first time in club history by edging Valencia Basket 92-94 in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals. 

Antonio Blakeney paced the winners with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Marcus Foster added 22 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 2.7 seconds left, while Tomer Ginat netted 11 for Hapoel, which will have the home-court advantage in the final series against Dreamland Gran Canaria. Brancou Badio led Valencia with 20 points. Jean Montero added 14 while Nate Reuvers had 10 for the hosts.

Game Videos

Jaime Pradilla got Valencia going with a dunk and Matt Costello added a three-pointer for a 5-0 lead. Badio stepped up with consecutive driving layups to boost the hosts' margin to 9-2. Johnathan Motley followed a power layup with a jumper before Ish Wainright's basket made it a one-point game. Blakeney made a corner triple and a stop-and-pop jumper that gave Hapoel a 9-13 lead, after a 0-11 run. Josep Puerto stepped up with a layup-plus-foul, which Stefan Jovic followed with a driving basket. Costello struck from beyond the arc, prompting a Hapoel timeout at 17-13. Foster matched Pradilla's jump hook with a fallaway jumper before Sergio De Larrea's three-pointer boosted his team's lead to 22-15 after 10 minutes.

De Larrea kept pushing Valencia early in the second quarter. Foster swished a mid-range jumper, which Semi Ojeleye bettered with a triple that made it a double-digit game, 27-17.  After Montero scored in penetration, Foster buried a turnaround jumper. Pradilla's layup established a 31-20 Valencia lead. Blakeney improved on Puerto's layup with a three-point play before he added a driving basket to make it 33-25. Badio and Nate Sestina each struck from beyond the arc to give Valencia fresh air at 39-29. Foster and Ginat rescued Hapoel before Motley's layup got the visitors within 40-35. Ojeleye took over with a corner triple, Noam Yaacov answered with a driving layup before Blakeney's basket made it a 5-point game. Wainright stepped up with a put-back layup and a backdoor basket to bring Hapoel within 45-44 at halftime.

Game News

Pradilla scored down low immediately after the break. Yaacov split free throws and Ginat's jump hook tied it at 47-47. Montero struck from downtown before Ginat and Badio traded jumpers. Yam Madar drew Hapoel within 53-52. Reuvers banked in a close shot and Ginat and Jovic each hit foul shots. Badio's driving basket gave Valencia a 59-54 lead. Madar bettered Costello's layup with a shot from beyond the arc. Badio buried a jumper but Foster's layup gave Hapoel hope at 63-59. After another Badio jumper, Motley matched him with a put-back layup before Jovic put his team up 6. Blakeney stepped up with an acrobatic basket that fixed the score at 67-63 after three quarters.

Madar buried a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Foster soon added a tip-in and a three-pointer to put Hapoel ahead by 3. Blakeney struck twice more from beyond the arc to force Valencia to call timeout at 68-77. Montero tried to change things with a quick triple and a pair of free throws in a 7-0 run that Reuvers capped with an alley-oop slam that made it 75-77. Caboclo and Blakeney each struck from downtown but Xabi Lopez-Arostegui and Reuvers got the hosts within 79-83 with more than 3 minutes remaining. Badio buried a jumper that Foster bettered with a triple. After Reuvers dunked again, Blakeney downed his fifth three-pointer. Montero gave Valencia hope, 85-89, with 1:53 left. Badio and an unstoppable Blakeney traded three-pointers. Montero dunked and once Valencia got the ball back, he made free throws to tie the game, 92-92. Foster buried a huge jumper for a 92-94 Hapoel lead with 2.7 seconds left. Sestina missed from beyond the arc at the buzzer.

Hapoel upsets Valencia, 92-94, to reach the EuroCup Finals

Valencia Basket v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-04-02T18:30:00.000Z)

The identity of the BKT EuroCup finalists will be confirmed as two closely fought but very different semifinals series are concluded on Wednesday. This what we can expect from Game 3.

At a glance: It's do or die time in both semifinal series

## Wednesday, April 2

### [Bahcesehir College Istanbul 72-76 Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/bahcesehir-college-istanbul-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2024/193/#boxscore)

Gran Canaria romped into the finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1. It will be the third time Granca has reached the EuroCup finals, having won the competition in 2023 and finished as the runner-up in 2015. Caleb Homesley paced Gran Canaria on 19 points and the versatile guard hit a clutch three late in the game that gave the visiting team the lead for good. At the other end, Jaleen Smith led Bahcesehir with a game-high 22 points but missed some shots when the chips were down, including a tough floater on his team’s final possession.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">🏀 Final:<br><br>🔵 Bahcesehir College Istanbul 72<br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 76<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/JISviGuIwF">pic.twitter.com/JISviGuIwF</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1907510472787501326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Valencia Basket 92-94 Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/valencia-basket-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/194/#boxscore)

Hapoel advanced to the EuroCup Finals for the first time in club history by edging Valencia in Game 3. Valencia led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, Hapoel rallied to get within 1 at halftime. The visitors rode the hot hand of Antonio Blakeney to a 9-point advantage in the fourth quarter only to see Valencia come back to tie things. Marcus Foster had the last word with the game-winning jumper with 3.1 seconds remaining. Blakeney finished with 32 points and 9 rebounds and Marcus Foster added 22 points. Brancou Badio led Valencia with 20 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">עוד 2 הפועלללל ♥️ <a href="https://t.co/JRfz5RJatq">pic.twitter.com/JRfz5RJatq</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1907541861318750220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hapoel will host Game 1 of the 2025 BKT EuroCup Finals on Tuesday, April 8

Game Center: Hapoel, Gran Canaria win to reach finals!

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-04-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria romped into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir College Istanbul in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1.

Gran Canaria beats Bahcesehir 72-76 to reach the finals 

Dreamland Gran Canaria romped into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir College Istanbul in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1. 

It will be the third time Granca has reached the EuroCup finals, having won the competition in 2023 and finished as the runner-up in 2015. Caleb Homesley paced Gran Canaria on 19 points and the versatile guard hit a clutch three late in the game that gave the visiting team the lead for good.

Mike Tobey chipped in with 11 points and Nicolas Brussino added 10 for the Spanish team, which sank 12 three-pointers from 29 attempts in a rugged contest with physical defense dominating proceedings. At the other end, Jaleen Smith led Bahcesehir with a game-high 22 points but missed some shots when the chips were down, including a tough floater on his team’s final possession.

Sehmus Hazer scored 13 points and Tai Odiase netted 11 for Bahcesehir, which suffered its first home defeat of the season after 11 successive wins as the Turkish team went 7 of 20 from downtown and committed 10 turnovers in the second half.

The first half produced an evenly balanced clash with Granca having slightly the upper hand as Bahcesehir missed its first 8 shots from deep. The visitors took advantage to open up a 23-30 lead in the second quarter, having nosed ahead 18-19 at the end of the first.

Bahcesehir was clinical from close to the basket tough, hitting 13 of 20 from inside and 10 of 12 from the foul line in the first half to lead 42-41 at the interval as the home team also took good care of the ball, having dished out 13 assists against only 2 turnovers.

The hosts were also helped by 5 offensive boards while Gran Canaria stayed in touch on the back of 5 three-pointers from 14 attempts. The Spanish side’s long-range artillery continued to do the damage early in the third quarter as Andrew Albicy knocked down a couple of shots.

Homesley followed in the Frenchman’s footsteps to give the visitors a 45-50 lead and it was a tit-for-tat battle for the remainder of the third period, as Gran Canaria carried a 57-60 advantage into the final 10 minutes of a captivating contest.

Gran Canaria kept chipping away and held a 65-70 lead on the back of a pair of threes from Pierre Pelos, but Bahcesehir looked the more likely winner after Smith hit a spot-up triple to give the hosts a 71-70 lead in the home straight.

However, Homesley emerged as Gran Canaria’s hero as he sank a tough triple on the Spanish team’s next possession to force the final twist, as the visitors held their nerves from the foul line down the stretch and danced in delight at the end of a strength-sapping encounter.

The Spanish side staged an upset to clinch the semifinal series with a gritty road win 

It's Valencia Basket. It's the BKT EuroCup. It's a decisive game at La Fonteta. Valencia clicks all the boxes to reach its eighth EuroCup Finals.

Why Valencia can win Game 3

It's Valencia Basket. It's the BKT EuroCup. It's a decisive game at La Fonteta. Valencia clicks all the boxes to reach its eighth EuroCup Finals.

There is some good news for Valencia, as [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) has bounced back from illness- He scored 18 points over 25 minutes in a Spanish League game over the weekend. [Sergio De Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) is also back in action, giving Valencia an even deeper backcourt rotation. So Valencia now has a deeper team and one of its top scorers is back in full force.

Until now, Ojeleye has played less than 10 minutes in the series. He has not scored and has a PIR of -2. By comparison, Ojeleye averaged 12.8 points on 42.9% three-point shooting for a PIR of 10.6 in regular season action. Valencia missed his physicality, versatility and leadership and now that he is fully recovered, Coach [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro?season=U2024) has new ways to look for mismatches, as well as counting on a player who is always ready to take (and make) big shots down the stretch.

Semi Ojeleye averaged 12.8 points on 42.9% three-pointers and a PIR of 10.6 in regular season action.

2024-25 EuroCup Regular Season highlights: Semi Ojeleye, Valencia

It won't be easy, of course. Hapoel evened the series with a 96-91 victory in Game 2 behind an outstanding [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/), who managed to stay out of foul trouble and play almost 35 minutes. He had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists for a PIR of 32. Valencia succeeded in getting Motley into foul trouble in Game 1, limiting him to just 12 points and 2 rebounds in less than 27 minutes. In that sense, [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-costello/010444/), [Nate Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) and [Amida Brimah](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/amida-brimah/012075/) should be ready to be physical against him.

It only looks like a matter of time before Valencia is more consistent from beyond the arc. Valencia led the EuroCup by shooting 39.0% on three-pointers in the regular season and downed 40.5% from beyond the arc in the quarterfinals against U-BT Cluj-Napoca. It is struggling from beyond the arc against Hapoel at just 26.4% while Coach [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris?season=U2024)'s team is soaring (40.4% 3FG in the series, 34.6% in regular season action). This weekend, Valencia downed 15 of 34 three-pointers (44.1% 3FG) in a Spanish League win. Playing at home, Valencia should feel more comfortable from downtown.

That leads us to Valencia's biggest advantage in this game: playing at La Fonteta. If Valencia loses, it will be the last EuroCup game ever played in one of the competition's most iconic arenas. La Fonteta and the Spiroudome in Charleroi, Belgium have been home to four EuroCup Finals apiece. With a win, la Fonteta would host its fifth and last EuroCup Finals after previously doing so in 2003, 2014, 2017 and 2019.

In short, Valencia has the home-court advantage, Ojeleye is back at his usual level and there are clear guidelines on how to win the game: secure the defensive boards to run the floor as much as possible, limit Motley and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/), putting them in foul trouble if possible and above all, feeling confident because a sea of people wearing orange will be there to support them and help them reach the Finals. It should be a great game to close one of the best series in competition history. Don't miss it!

Javier Gancedo analyzes Game 3 of the semifinals and why he believes Valencia should reach the EuroCup Finals

With all due respect to the two semifinalists on the other side of the bracket, there is a feeling among many that the favorite to win the BKT EuroCup this season will be the team that wins on Wednesday night at La Fonteta. And more than anything else, what Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv needs to knock out Valencia Basket is a full, healthy roster.

Why Hapoel can win Game 3

With all due respect to the two semifinalists on the other side of the bracket, there is a feeling among many that the favorite to win the BKT EuroCup this season will be the team that wins on Wednesday night at La Fonteta. And more than anything else, what [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/?season=2024-25) needs to knock out Valencia Basket is a full, healthy roster.

Thus far, Hapoel has managed to match up with Valencia nicely despite being depleted. Hapoel led at halftime in Game 1 before faltering in the third quarter and never trailed in Game 2. In the eight quarters played thus far, Hapoel has won four, Valencia two and two finished in ties.

Coach [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris?season=U2024)'s side has done all of that despite being without the injured [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) and with [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) missing Game 1 and playing less than 5 minutes in Game 2. And now there are questions surrounding several other players for Game 3, including star guard [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/).

According to reports from Israel, Madar aggravated a knee injury in Game 2 and – instead of remaining with his teammates in Bulgaria over the weekend – flew home for treatment. It may not be clear if he can play in the series decider until shortly before the game. Meanwhile, key reserves [Bar Timor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) and [Marcus Bingham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-bingham/013506/) have missed practices due to illness.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re ready 👹 <a href="https://t.co/EoQ6MKeJt2">pic.twitter.com/EoQ6MKeJt2</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1907154040141787210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

None of these absences are a small matter. And combined they can be crippling. Madar has been the standout of the series thus far, averaging 20.5 points on outstanding shooting plus 6.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

To hope to survive with a chance to win if Madar is limited or cannot play, Hapoel will need Ragland and Timor. Ragland ranks third in the EuroCup this season in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.6) and Timor is one of the most experienced players on the roster. Without them, the only natural playmaker on the Hapoel roster is 20-year-old Noam Yaacov.

[Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) was a big reason Hapoel won Game 2 with 26 points and 8 rebounds and perhaps even more will be needed if he does not have Caboclo and Bingham behind him. It's important to remember that Caboclo was a EuroLeague starter just last season and an All-EuroCup selection two seasons ago.

The fact that injuries have hit Hapoel at specifically two of the spots where Valencia is deepest and strongest is even more of a concern.

On the court, Hapoel has done much of what it needed to win the series. It has slowed the pace and held Valencia to subpar three-point shooting (26.4%). But if it is without the key players mentioned above, Hapoel would need Herculean efforts from the likes of Motley, [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/), [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/), [Ish Wainright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) and [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) to prevail in Game 3.

Could the absences of key players derail Hapoel’s season?

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Semifinals, Game 3: Pregame quotes

## Wednesday, April 2: Game 3

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria (18:00 CET)

**John Shurna, Dreamland Gran Canaria forward**

"It's a final, right? So it's an exciting game. We're gonna try our best to get some rest, but we're expecting the best version of their team and we have to bring our best too. We've had two physical battles, so now each team has defended home court and now it all comes down to Game 3. I think rebounding, matching their physicality, they're a very physical team. Trying to limit their second opportunities and making sure we limit our turnovers as well and try to run in transition a bit too. It's a lot of games in a few days. We have to leave it all on the line and I'm sure it'll be great game with both teams bringing their best. When we're focused, we've shown that we can compete with anyone. It's a great opportunity for us and hopefully we can bring our best energy."

John Shurna: "When we're focused, we've shown that we can compete with anyone"

### Valencia Basket vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia Basket head coach**

"We are not nervous as we approach the game. We know we earned the right to be here. It has been a long season, we went through all sorts of moments and earned the right to play Game 3 at home, the tie-breaker. We want to play the best game possible and play good basketball, with very good defense, rebounding really well and taking care of all small details taking place in the series, since it is our third game against them in a week. We have to adjust to what they propose because they will make their own adjustments. For me, it is a 50-50 game. I ask Valencia Basket fans to help their team and give us the energy that we need to win a very important game against a great opponent with great players, a team that plays really good basketball. All of our energy has to be focused on that. We have physical issues but all of my players and everyone else thinks of this game as a final, so my players will give everything they have. We don't want to make loud statements or complain. All 13 professional players are available and tomorrow, we will decide who to leave out."

**Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach**

"We're coming over here in Valencia knowing that it's a tied series, so that's the final game. We know the difficulties we have to face, but we're determined, decisive to compete. \[Madar and Ragland\] will try to practice and we will evaluate their situation on the court \[before the game\]. Details are important for sure, a lot of details I think from both sides. Both teams have a lot of strategy to put on. We add some things, they add some things defensively, offensively. We pretty much add things also during the game. They add things during the game as well. They make certain adjustments, we certain adjustments. So I hope it's gonna be a very attractive for the fans as well. Not only the fans that they're gonna fill the gym, but also but also the audience that they're gonna watch it through the internet or TV."

**Ish Wainright, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward**

"We feel like we are extremely prepared. I'm pretty sure they're gonna come out swinging hard. And I mean, we're excited, our fans are excited, this is the time where we can make history and this is probably the biggest game of our season so far, so. Much respect to them. And I know they're gonna be prepared also. So we're excited and ready to go to war. It's gonna be a dogfight from the beginning."

Ish Wainright: "It's gonna be a dogfight from the beginning"

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals

Javier Gancedo explains what Gran Canaria needs to do well in order to return to the EuroCup Finals

Why Gran Canaria will win Game 3

Experience matters in do-or-die games. When it comes to [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/?season=2024-25), it has more EuroCup experience than the other three other semifinalists combined.

Gran Canaria features seven EuroCup champions on its roster, not counting head coach Jaka Lakovic. [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/), [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) and [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/) lifted the trophy with Gran Canaria barely two years ago. [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) helped Valencia Basket win the EuroCup in 2019 and [Mendy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/) did so with Paris Basketball last season.

After watching both games, you get the feeling that Gran Canaria is only getting better and better. [In Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-still-alive-after-69-68-win-over-bahcesehir-thanks-to-homesley-heroics/), Gran Canaria had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5 and made 20 of 32 two-pointers (62.5% 2FG). [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/?season=2024-25) struggled to score inside the arc, making just 13 of 30 two-pointers (43.3% 2FG) and committing just as many assists as turnovers, 12 each.

It could be argued that Bahcesehir had a [dominant Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-overpowers-gran-canaria-74-66-in-game-1-of-semifinals/) in which it held a double-digit lead for a long time. Gran Canaria had a major blackout after getting an early 10-15 lead. Bahcesehir outscored Gran Canaria 24-6 over the next 9 minutes. In that span, Coach Lakovic's team made just 3 of 13 field goals (23.1%) and committed 5 turnovers. It is very unlikely that an experienced team like Gran Canaria will underperform that way again.

Dreamland Gran Canaria edged Bahcesehir College Istanbul 69-68 to tie the best-of-three semifinal playoff series.

Gran Canaria highlights: Semifinals, Game 2

On the other hand, Bahcesehir has no EuroCup champions and some of its best players have not had great experiences in the higher stages of the competition. [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) was with Turk Telekom Ankara when it lost the EuroCup Finals in Gran Canaria. [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) lost Game 3 of the semifinals with Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse last season. [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) lost Game 3 of the 2019 quarterfinals with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar against UNICS Kazan.

[Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) kept Gran Canaria in the series with a wild, game-winning three-point play in the final seconds of Game 2. Being so close to losing it all should be positive for Gran Canaria, which returned home and gained even more momentum with another close win in Spanish League action. Albicy's buzzer-beating layup lifted his team to a 91-89 home victory over Unicaja Malaga.

Gran Canaria should see this game as a golden chance to reach the EuroCup Finals for the third time in club history. This group of players knows what it takes to win together and has been victorious in a lot of close games: it won all of its last five EuroCup games decided by 5 points or loss. Expect Gran Canaria to be highly competitive in this exciting, decisive showdown.

Why Gran Canaria can win Game 3

Geoff Gillingham explains why he can envisage Bahcesehir College beating CB Gran Canaria and making the EuroCup Finals.

Why Bahcesehir College can win Game 3

Home-court advantage, baby. There's a reason why topping the group mattered so much during the regular season, and [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) is about to reap the full rewards.

In a decisive Game 3, a game that determines whether Bahcesehir's European journey continues or comes to an end, it's the little things that count: the players sleeping in their own bed; a familiar routine at the arena; knowing the best spots on the floor to get shots up; and being able to receive the support of the home crowd.

No team in the BKT EuroCup has enjoyed playing at home as much as Bahcesehir. The Turkish team is 11-0 at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall this season and it has already beaten Dreamland Gran Canaria twice there – once in the regular season and then in Game 1. It's only natural that it extends that run to 12-0 (and 3-0 versus Gran Canaria) on Wednesday night.

It will be a battle, though. Bahcesehir ranks first in team defense (74.3 PPG) and Gran Canaria is second (76.2 PPG), so defense will be the name of the game. Still, it has plenty of talented players who can make their mark on the offensive end of the floor, with big man [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) averaging a team-high 15.0 PPG in the series so far.

<center>
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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; 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Plenty of the Bahcesehir players who had off nights in Game 2 will be able to rely on home comforts this time around. [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Sehmus Hazer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sehmus-hazer/011201/), Simonovic, [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/), [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) all scored fewer points in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, but one positive for coach Dejan Radonjic was that [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) and [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/) did the opposite. The hope will be that they do even better back in Istanbul, as their experience and talent will be needed in Game 3.

Even then, Gran Canaria needed a miracle three-point play by [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) to even be in this position. Otherwise, we would have been talking about a sweep. All four games between these two clubs this season have been won by the home team, which puts the wind in the hosts' favor in this one.

Bahcesehir is just one win away from a EuroCup Finals matchup against either Valencia Basket or Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv. Heading into Game 3, it just needs to stay calm and keep doing what it has been doing all season, then the result it wants will almost certainly arrive.

Geoff Gillingham explains why he can envisage the Turkish side making the EuroCup Finals

Why Bahcesehir can win Game 3

Geoff Gillingham steps in for Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo to offer his recommendations for Game 3 of the 2025 EuroCup Semifinals.

EuroCup Fantasy tips for Game 3, semifinals: Four players to consider

The two series in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals are tied at 1-1, so Wednesday night will determine which teams make it to the EuroCup Finals. As such, [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/11) managers have to figure out which players they want to call upon in Game 3.

This week, I am covering for Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo, and my goal is to select four players – one from each team – but not including [Javier’s five picks from before the semifinals got underway](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/javier-gancedos-fantasy-tips-for-the-eurocup-semifinals/). The players Javier chose were: Jean Montero and Matt Costello of Valencia Basket, Marcus Foster of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Axel Bouteille of Bahcesehir College Istanbul, and Mike Tobey of Dreamland Gran Canaria.

To make this more interesting, I am not going to pick the most picked players on any of the four semifinalist teams, too, so that rules out Johnathan Motley, Semi Ojeleye, Jaleen Smith and Nico Brussino. Without further ado, here are my four recommended picks for the two Game 3s on Wednesday night.

<center>
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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; 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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/p/DHxyWQ_ogvv/?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 BKT EuroCup (@eurocup)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Marko Simonovic, Bahcesehir College Istanbul (10.0 points)

Back on Bahcesehir’s home floor in Istanbul, I’m expecting Marko Simonovic to have a performance like the one we saw in Game 1. That night, he posted 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals for a 29 PIR, but in Game 2 – on the road in Gran Canaria – he was held to 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and a 9 PIR. Simonovic has what it takes to dominate against Gran Canaria’s bigs, and I think he’ll have a telling impact on what happens in Game 3.

### Caleb Homesley, Dreamland Gran Canaria (9.9 points)

Call me crazy, but Caleb Homesley is ready for a breakout game. Gran Canaria’s leading scorer this season netted 9 and 6 points, respectively, in Games 1 and 2, and only finished with a PIR of 6 and 3 in those contests, yet he was the hero in Game 2 as his three-point play with 1.1 seconds to go levelled the series at 1-1. Now heading back to Istanbul, I think Homesley could be a good wildcard selection for any Fantasy Challenge managers worth taking the risk… it could pay off big time.

### Chris Jones, Valencia Basket (13.6 points)

Experience is key in Game 3 situations, and Chris Jones is definitely ready for the moment. He had a good performance in Game 1, finishing with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and zero turnovers for a 19 PIR, but Hapoel did a good job of keeping him under wraps in Game 2, limiting him to 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a 4 PIR. But this is Game 3 and Valencia is back at La Fonteta, so Jones is ready to lead his team to the EuroCup Finals.

### Antonio Blakeney, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (11.4 points)

Shooters gotta shoot. For Antonio Blakeney, staying involved in the offense and going to the line were two main differences between his performance in Game 1, when he had 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 block and a 5 PIR, and Game 2, when he amassed 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a 20 PIR. Blakeney didn’t shoot a free throw in Game 1 but went 9 for 10 in Game 2, and his ability to catch fire will be a huge weapon for Hapoel as it looks to reach the EuroCup Finals. If Hapoel is to succeed in Game 3, it’ll need Blakeney to step up again, making him a good option in the Fantasy Challenge.

Geoff Gillingham steps in for Fantasy Challenge guru Javier Gancedo to offer his recommendations