Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 17 of the BKT EuroCup, and who might be missing in action.
Round 17: Pregame quotes and injury reports
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4 Mins read
Wednesday, January 29
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Umana Reyer Venice (17:30 CET)
Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach
"A very tough game between two important teams fighting for their last chances to qualify for the playoffs. We’re playing away, but we’ve already shown that we can play good basketball far from home. We have great respect for Ankara, but we’ll try to win. To do so, we’ll need to bring our defense, which has been a strong point since the start of the season, and never lose our composure during the game."
Xavier Munford, Umana Reyer Venice forward
"It’s a must-win game because we’re back against the wall; a victory for us would be crucial to trying to secure a spot in the playoffs. We’ll need a game with great mentality. We’re a team made up of experienced athletes who have already played this kind of game; basketball players live for these moments. We need to step onto the court motivated because we have hard work to get done. The desire for redemption after the game against Trento should give us an extra push."
Reyer injury news: Davide Moretti is out.
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Trefl Sopot (18:00 CET)
Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach
"We are playing against a team that has drastically changed its roster since the game in the first round. The way they’ve competed in recent games does not reflect their current position in our group. They are very aggressive on defense and have an excellent flow to their game. [Nick] Johnson adds a new dimension to their play, alongside [Geoffrey] Groselle, who didn’t play in the first game, as well as their versatile forwards and guards. Overall, we’re facing a very athletic team that clearly knows what they want on the court. We expect a very tough game, and for us, it’s important to compete with intensity, play aggressively, and establish our identity on the court. Controlling the boards will also be key, as rebounding is a critical factor in this matchup."
Antonio Blakeney, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard
"This is a big game for us. We have been playing well, and Sopot has been competing hard in every game, so we have to be ready to compete and battle for the win."
Nahiem Alleyne, Trefl Sopot guard
"We already know this is a tough matchup, a tough team. They've got a lot of veteran guys. We've just got to stick to our principles: defensively get back, stop the transition game; offensively just move the ball around. Obviously we've got to hit shots, but if the ball's not going in, just keep attacking them and getting to the line."
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (18:00 CET)
Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach
"This is a very important game. The qualification has not been played. We still need to win some games and we want to win both of them. We are taking it one game at a time and we are focused on this one. We will not play against a weak team and it is hard to win on their court. They share the ball well and have dangerous players. Our team needs to have the right mindset to win this game."
Gediminas Orelik, U-BT Cluj-Napoca forward
"It is going to be a tough game, I have been in this team for almost three seasons. It is going to be hard, they always play well at home. It is going to be fun to see them again, even though I have played against them before. It will be fun, because I will play for the first time against them in their gym. I know they have nothing to lose, but they are always fighting for victory and for their fans. For us, it is one of the biggest games of the season. It will be really important for the standings."
Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg (19:00 CET)
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Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Joventut Badalona (19:00 CET)
Dani Miret, Joventut Badalona head coach
"We didn't achieve our objective, it's clear that it's a hard blow for the team. We have prepared and fought until the end, trying to stay alive, but we could not. We have two games left and we must try to be productive, try to remain competitive and manage to improve as a group."
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:30 CET)
Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach
"It’s a team that is very physical and very athletic, which can play a very direct game. We will have to expect a very high pace, and stop the strong players facing us. It will be up to us to be lucid about that."
Adrian Nelson, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse player
"We are prepared for the game mentally, and know what’s at stake and the fight for top six in the EuroCup standings. We know that they have a very talented roster so we must rely on our defense and take care of business at home."
Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (21:00 CET)
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Tuesday, January 28
Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. ratiopharm Ulm (17:00 CET)
Ty Harrelson, ratiopharm Ulm head coach
"We're playing against the leader of our high-caliber group. We're thinking game by game and not prioritizing based on opponent or importance. I want my team to value every possession and fight for the full 40 minutes – that's the only way we can take an important step forward together."
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Valencia Basket (18:30 CET)
Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana head coach
"We only have one day to prepare for Valencia. There’s no big pressure on us; we can prove ourselves, but it will be very tough. Valencia has demonstrated this season, both in the EuroCup and the Spanish League, that they are a EuroLeague-level team. They play fast, aggressive basketball, with excellent three-point shooting and offensive rebounding. We need to focus on ourselves and be ready for a tough, physical game."
Jaka Blazic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana guard
"A win against Valencia would mean a lot. They’re possibly the strongest team in the EuroCup, showing the best performances this season. Our task will be to slow them down and establish our rhythm. If we can do that, we might surprise them."
Chris Jones, Valencia Basket guard
"A tough game, but it's our next game on the schedule, so it's important for us. Without looking at the standings, it's the next thing we have to do, so we have to go out and compete and continue what we did in our previous game and keep getting better and better. I think it will be a different game than the first leg; they are fighting for a better position and we are fighting to keep improving as a team. We have our own goals, but that ''next game mentality', just go out, fight hard and accept the results that that brings us. Coach tells us all the time, just think about the next game. It doesn't matter who we're playing, just go out there and do what we do as a team to live with the results and hopefully get the win."
Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (20:00 CET)
Alessandro Magro, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius head coach
"It's a very important game for us against a team that is performing well in the Italian League. In the last two BKT EuroCup games, they [overwhelmed] their opponent. This team is really aggressive running the floor, having a high pace, and everybody is involved. We have to be ready to match up their physicality and their quickness."
Tre'Shawn Thurman, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius forward
"It's a must win for us. I expect everyone on the team to use every ounce of energy they have in them whether it's defense or offense. Just turn on their teammates and everyone to try to be on the same accord. We must have a mentality like never before."