It is safe to say that Virtus Segafredo Bologna is the closest it's been to the Final Four since its last appearance in 2002. Here's why there is a good chance to see Virtus compete in Berlin in late May.

Case for the Final Four: Virtus Segafredo Bologna

### Competitiveness guaranteed

[Virtus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2023-24) has been highly competitive against the best teams in the competition, particularily at home, where it has an 11-2 record. Its only losses came against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 1 and against AS Monaco in Round 26. In between, it knocked off contenders such as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, FC Barcelona, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Olympiacos Piraeus. By being so strong at home, Virtus has resided in the upper part of the standings all season long. Only four of its home wins have come by a double-digit margin, which means Virtus had to work hard until the final buzzer, like it did against Barca (80-75), Olympiacos (69-67), FC Bayern Munich (85-83) and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (88-84). 

### Same core, different mentality

Virtus brought in only four new players during the off-season: [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/), [DeVontae Cacok](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devontae-cacok/012714/), [Bryant Dunston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bryant-dunston/003048/) and [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/). Only Dunston is a regular starter, yet the team has gone from a 14-20 record last season to a 14-7 start to the current campaign. What happened?

Virtus has won five straight at home and strive to maintain that same smooth offensive fluidity, which has yielded 19.8 assists per game, while Barça are set to unleash the flourishing Nico Laprovittola, whose firepower was on show against ASVEL as he downed a career-high 8 triples on 10 attempts.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs FC Barcelona | Round 12 | Highlights

Head coach Luca Banchi should get a lot of credit for his team's change in mentality. With players like [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/), [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/) and especially [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/), who thrive in transition, it was critical to increase both the pace of play and ball circulation and Coach Banchi's extra-pass half-court offense has been the perfect fit for the team. Last season, Virtus averaged 78.0 points, ranking last in field goal attempts (57.5 per game) and fourth in assists (19.4 apg.). 

Despite the departure of pass-first genius Milos Teodosic, Virtus has seen its assist average drop a but (18.8 apg.), but improved in everything else, averaging 80.5 points and 61.5 field goal attempts. A faster pace and a more loose mentality, allowing Shengelia to start his team's offense without looking for the point guard, has definitely paid off, turning Virtus into a Final Four contender.

### Well-defined roles

There is no doubt about Virtus's number one option. Shengelia has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. He leads the team in rebounds (5.5 rpg.), fouls drawn (5.4 per game) and PIR (18.1) and is second in scoring (14.5 ppg.) and assists (3.6 apg.). Following Shengelia's undeniable leadership, [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marco-belinelli/bcn/) and [Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/daniel-hackett/001844/) have been able to contribute night in and night out. At age 37, Belinelli leads the team in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and has more 20-plus point games (7) than single-digit scoring games (6). Hackett has been his team's floor general and everybody else buys into the team's rotation, from experienced big men Dunston and [Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jordan-mickey/008847/) to team-oriented players like Polonara, Dobric, Cordinier, Lundberg and [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/).

Toko Shengelia is leading Virtus Segafredo Bologna this season and earned October MVP honors.

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights: Toko Shengelia, Virtus

### Solid mid-season signings

Virtus has excelled with its mid-season signings, too . When Virtus won the 2021-22 BKT EuroCup, it landed well-rounded veterans Shengelia and Hackett who gave the team the competitiveness, experience and aggressiveness it needed to go all the way in the competition. This season, recent signings [Rihards Lomazs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rihards-lomazs/005553/) and [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ante-zizic/004554/) should only make Virtus even better. Zizic stepped in for Cacok, who suffered a season-ending injury, and it is not easy to find a player of his effectiveness, experience and talent so close to the deadline. 

Coach Banchi worked with Lomazs during the World Cup qualifyers, in which he was Latvia's leading scorer. Lomazs provides instant offense and Coach Banchi knows how to bring the best out of him. Taking the steps in the right direction to be more competitive paid off for Virtus in the past, and should pay off in 2024, too.

The new Play-In Showdown will debut on Tuesday, April 16, and conclude on Friday, April 19. On that Tuesday, the seventh- and eighth-place teams from the regular season will face off in a single game to clinch a spot in the best-of-five quarterfinals vs. the regular season's second-ranked team. The ninth- and 10th-place teams will play a single game whose loser will be eliminated. 

The race for the Play-In Showdown

Then, three days later, the winner of that game will challenge the other Play-In Showdown game loser – either the seventh- or eighth-place team – to decide the final playoff spot for a best-of-five series vs. the top-ranked regular-season team. Each Play-In Showdown game will be hosted by the team with the better regular season finish.

Here are the teams with the best chances to appear in the Play-In Showdown:

### Olympiacos Piraeus (15-11)

The Reds are a team that is actually trying to avoid being in the Play-In race and finish among the top six places, which directly qualify for the playoffs. [Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2023-24) currently holds the sixth spot, but it is above the play-in places only by virtue of having a better point difference than seventh-place Fenerbahce, which it also hosts in Round 34. Olympiacos is positioned well to escape the drama of Play-In basketball, however, it has a tough schedule as it still has to play four road games, three against teams listed below it in the standings – Zalgiris Kaunas, Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (15-11)

[Fenerbahce](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2023-24) is in the same boat as Olympiacos, a frontrunner in this race, looking towards securing playoff home-court advantage rather than falling into the Play-In Showdown. Its Round 34 road game against the Reds looms large already, but three of Fenerbahce's next four games all come against top eight teams, including fixtures at Real Madrid and home against FC Barcelona. Going in Fenerbahce's favor is that it still has five home games remaining in the last eight rounds, which could be crucial for a team that is 11-1 at home this season.

Dimitris Itoudis’s men may be buoyant since becoming the first to down Real Madrid this term in an overtime classic. Next they try to end an away losing run against Baskonia, who've won five of its six games under Dusko Ivanovic and been blessed with Markus Howard's strong long-range shooting.

Baskonia-Fenerbahce | Round 12 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (14-12)

Sitting in sole possession of eighth place, [Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/bitci-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/?season=2023-24) travels to face Fenerbahce in Round 27. Baskonia edged Fenerbahce earlier this season, so it has a chance to sweep the Canaries with Baskonia already having swept Olympiacos. So, the outcome of that Round 27 contest will determine if Baskonia can contend for top six places, or if the Play-In race is its reality. Baskonia does have one of the toughest remaining schedules among teams on this list, with only three home games the rest of the way. In addition, four of its last five games are on the road, all against playoff or Play-In hopefuls – Partizan, Zalgiris, Real and Virtus Segafredo Bologna. 

### Valencia Basket (13-13)

One of the toughest remaining schedules belongs to [Valencia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2023-24), which plays only three home games, and five of its last eight come against teams currently ranked above it. Add a Round 33 road game against Partizan to the mix, and it is hard to find a club that has it tougher than Valencia the rest of the way. However, the team has had success away from La Fonteta, as only four teams this season have more than Valencia's five road wins. If it wants to reach the Play-In Showdown, Valencia must add to that road tally.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (13-13)

No one dares to call any EuroLeague slate of games "easy", and that is especially true for [Maccabi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/roster/tel/?season=2023-24), which has no true home games this season. However, currently placed ninth in the standings, seven of Maccabi's last eight games come against teams ranked below in the standings, with a Round 33 tilt at FC Barcelona as the only outlier. Also, Maccabi still faces both already eliminated teams – ALBA Berlin and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. And while losses in key games against Zalgiris, Valencia or Bayern could really hurt its chances, a run of victories would catapult Maccabi up the standings.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (12-14)

Currently first below the cut line, [Partizan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2023-24) has been on a downward spiral, having lost three straight and eight of its last 11 games. In mid-December, Partizan team was tied with Baskonia, Valencia and Maccabi at 9-7 and now it is a game, or two, behind them. So, it is hard to find a team that could use this break more than Coach Zeljko Obradovic's men. What goes in Partizan's favor is having five more games in its packed Stark Arena, including three against direct opponents in this race – Efes in Round 27, Baskonia in Round 30, and Valencia in their regular-season finale. If Partizan restores its confidence, especially on offense, the opportunity is there for the taking.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (11-15)

Two games back from the Play-In spots, it is hard to gauge [Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ax-armani-exchange-milan/roster/mil/?season=2023-24)'s chances. In its last six games, Milan had a home loss against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, and three road defeats, two of which came by a double-digit margin, with resounding home wins over FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in between. Obviously, Milan can beat anyone anywhere, but it has not done so on regular basis. The rest of the way, it will have to protect its home floor when it hosts Partizan, Fenerbahce and Virtus, but those being Milan's only home games, it will also have to get the job done against the likes of Baskonia, AS Monaco, Zalgiris Kaunas and Maccabi on the road.

### Zalgiris Kaunas (11-15)

[Zalgiris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/roster/zal/?season=2023-24) was one of the hottest teams before the break, having won its last three games and four of its last five. Coach Andrea Trinchieri's men play five of their last eight games in what will surely be a sold-out Zalgirio Arena. But each one of those is against a currently higher-ranked team, and it does not get much easier on the road as Zalgiris travels to face Maccabi, FC Bayern Munich and Monaco. Sitting two games behind Valencia and Maccabi, the last two teams currently occupying Play-In positions, it is imperative for Zalgiris not only to stay hot if it wants to reach the postseason, but to beat Maccabi and avoid a season-sweep when they clash in Round 28.

Zalgiris wish to restore winning-ways and are expected to turn to backcourt star and former Maccabi player Keenan Evans for a focal point, whereas the visitors may lean on Lorenzo Brown to repeat his high standards of 14.8 ppg and should be welcoming back team captain John DiBartolomeo to the squad.

Zalgiris Kaunas-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | Round 17 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul (11-15)

[Efes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/?season=2023-24) has used a coaching change to its advantage, and under the guidance of new head of bench Tomislav Mijatovic won two games, including scoring 105 points against Maccabi, a season-high in regulation. Efes will try to continue riding that offense, but it will also need to find a way to win road games, as the team is only 2-11 away from home this season. Efes still has to visit Partizan, ASVEL, Baskonia and Fenerbahce, and might have to win at least two of those games, all while protecting its home floor, to have a shot at a Play-In spot.

### FC Bayern Munich (11-15)

[Bayern](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/?season=2023-24) also has ground to make up and, just like Zalgiris, has five home games. What also plays into its advantage is that Bayern already swept Baskonia and Partizan, it can also sweep Valencia and Efes, and Bayern can win head-to-head tiebreakers against Maccabi and Zalgiris. On the schedule, Efes, Zalgiris, Valencia and Maccabi come one after another for Bayern from Round 28 to Round 31, before the team hosts Barcelona and Panathinaikos and travels to Monaco to end the regular season. A look at the standings might not reveal it, but Bayern does control its own destiny. 

You can now watch the third episode of Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary, "Overseas", on YouTube.

Episode 3 of “Overseas” released on YouTube

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is full of players who have switched countries in order to pursue their dreams. In the “Overseas” documentary series, which focuses on EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s Kyle Hines, Olympiacos Piraeus’s Shaquielle McKissic and AS Monaco’s Donatas Motiejunas, fans are able to get a glimpse of the ups and downs of being a professional basketball player overseas.

Hines, a four-time EuroLeague champion, has been playing in Europe since 2008 and in Europe’s premier club basketball competition since 2010. From Sicklerville, New Jersey, in the United States, Hines’s EuroLeague career has seen him play in Germany (Brose Bamberg, 2010-11), Greece (Olympiacos, 2011-13), Russia (CSKA Moscow, 2013-20) and now Italy (2020-present), where he first began his professional career with Veroli Basket back in 2008.

McKissic signed for Olympiacos during the 2019-20 season, which gave him the chance to make his EuroLeague debut. He has been with the Reds ever since. Born in Seattle, Washington, in the U.S., McKissic’s journey to reach the top of European basketball was not the most straightforward. He split the 2015-16 season between Italy (VL Pesaro) and South Korea (Changwon LG Sakers), then played in Turkiye (Usak Sportif, 2016-17), Spain (Dreamland Gran Canaria, 2017-18), Russia (Avtodor Saratov, 2017-18) and Turkiye again (Gaziantep, 2018-19; Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, 2019-20). During that 2019-20 campaign, he made a mid-season switch to Olympiacos and, as they say, the rest is history.

In the case of Motiejunas, he is now in his third season at Monaco, having arrived in the principality in the summer of 2021. Having come through the academy of Zalgiris Kaunas, making his senior debut in the 2007-08 season, he then suited up for Aisciai Kaunas in 2008-09 before beginning his worldwide adventure. Motiejunas, born in Kaunas, Lithuania, played in Italy (Benetton Treviso, 2009-11) and Poland (Arka Gdynia, 2011-12), ahead of a move across the water, as he joined up with the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Following four years in Houston (2012-16), he played for the New Orleans Pelicans (2016-17) and then changed continents once again, signing for the Shandong Golden Stars in China (2017-19). A brief stint back in the NBA followed at the tail end of the 2018-19 season, but Motiejunas returned to China by joining the Shanghai Sharks (2019-20) and then the Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2020-21), prior to returning to Europe with Monaco.

During the documentary series, you will hear crucial bits of advice from Hines, McKissic and Motiejunas on how they navigated their careers overseas, as well as the knock-on effects of being so far away from home.

"Overseas" joins a long list of premium, long-form content from the Euroleague Basketball Originals platform. Among the other documentaries available are "[Back 2 Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D1m0YpAdW8)", "[Land of MVPS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMDJsLc01Lg)" and [“Obradovic, the return”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMMDVBd-iwc).

You can now watch the third episode of Euroleague Basketball Originals’ latest documentary on YouTube.

Zalgiris Kaunas has confirmed that Dovydas Giedraitis has suffered a torn thigh muscle, which means he will miss Lithuania's EuroBasket qualifiers over the next week.

Dovydas Giedraitis to miss time for Zalgiris, Lithuania

Zalgiris Kaunas has confirmed that guard [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/) suffered a torn thigh muscle during his team’s Lithuanian Cup semifinal triumph over BC Siauliai on Saturday. As such, he will be unavailable for the Lithuanian national team’s EuroBasket qualifiers against Poland (Thursday, February 22) and Estonia (Monday, February 26).

What’s more, Giedraitis is expected to miss time upon the resumption of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, with Zalgiris taking on Olympiacos Piraeus on March 1 before facing Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on March 7. Zalgiris’s official channels will confirm any update regarding Giedraitis’s health.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dovydas Giedraitis and Laurynas Birutis will miss the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier. <a href="https://t.co/E1w6eKnDJu">pic.twitter.com/E1w6eKnDJu</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1759534580644659493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Giedraitis has become a key player for Zalgiris since Andrea Trinchieri arrived as head coach, with the 23-year-old’s defense making him a valuable asset for the Greens. Over the last four EuroLeague games, Giedraitis averaged 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a very impressive 2.5 steals per night. Those figures are all greater than his season averages of 4.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per contest.

Zalgiris Kaunas's Dovydas Giedraitis has improved his averages to 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a very impressive 2.5 steals over the last four Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

Giedraitis's highlights since Round 23

### Birutis also unavailable

Another absentee for Lithuania’s EuroBasket fixtures is Zalgiris center [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/), who is dealing with ‘minor health problems’, although he should be available when the EuroLeague returns.

Zalgiris therefore has three players who are set to feature for Lithuania during the international window: [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/), [Tomas Dimsa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-dimsa/003211/) and [Lukas Lekavicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lukas-lekavicius/003210/).

More Zalgiris News

Dovydas Giedraitis in action for Zalgiris Kaunas in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

He has a torn thigh muscle, which could rule him out for some EuroLeague games

A dominant offense and a fantastic defense, loads of experience and veteran leadership, a team-first mindset instilled in every single player and a comfortable lead atop the standings. Those are all Real Madrid's advantages so far in 2023-24 season.

Case for the Final Four: Real Madrid

Making the case to reach the Final Four for a reigning champion, which has won 22 of 26 games this season, a team that has all but clinched a playoff spot and has a four-win advantage atop the standing, does not appear that hard of a task. 

Such is even more true when that team has dominated the current EuroLeague campaign both offensively and defensively the way the team in question, Real Madrid, has done this season.

### Statistically dominant

After 26 rounds, Real impressively ranks first in scoring (89.0 ppg.), assists (21.2 apg.) and team PIR (108.3), second in rebounding (36.7 rpg.), two-point shooting (58.1%), three-point shooting (37.9%) and free throws shooting (81.4%). And that's just on offense.

On defense, Real leads the league in blocks (3.7 bpg.) and defensive rebounding (27.0 drpg.), also holds the opposition to the lowest two-point (49.6%) and third-lowest three-point (33.2%) percentages. It also holds opponents to 77.4 points per game, but without that 4OT game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where it allowed 126, that average would be nearly 2.0 points lower.

Real leads the league in blocks (3.7 bpg.) and defensive rebounding (27.0 drpg.), also holds opposition to the lowest two-point (49.6%) and third-lowest three-point (33.2%) percentages.

Los Blancos are EuroLeague's best shot blockers

Of course, that season-long effort would be in vain if *Los Blancos* suffer a bad stretch at the wrong time of the season, like in a best-of-five playoff series.

However, there are many reasons to believe not only that the talent and quality of this team make these numbers and success sustainable through March, April and into May, but that Real Madrid is positioned to succeed come playoff time.

### Veteran leadership

One of those reasons, of course, is the experience of the star-studded roster where every single player has won the title. Real Madrid players know how to win games, series and championships. And while the majority of the team's title-winning experience came last year, five players – [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/), [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/), [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) - have won multiple EuroLeague crowns with Real.

Remember, that's the crew that lifted Real to the title last season after coach Chus Mateo trusted them with more minutes, especially at the end of the biggest games of the season.

Tavares was the Final Four MVP and arguably MVP of the entire 2023 playoffs. Rodriguez averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 assists at the Final Four, Causeur shined with 11 points in the championship game, while Fernandez's energy was unmatched. And, of course, Llull hit the title-winning shot.

Fabien Causeur is now a two-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion!

Causeur takes over in yet another Championship Game!

### And those players keep leading the way.

The soon-to-be 32-year-old Tavares is in the prime of his career and ranks third in rebounding (6.8 rpg.) and second (1.6 bpg.) in blocks, while averaging 10.1 points. Rodriguez leads the league in assists per 40 minutes (11.2). Meanwhile, Llull has already scored more points and hit more three-pointers than in all of last season.

Real is set up to be in the same position to be able to lean on those guys in key moments once again. Maybe even more so, because Rodriguez and Llull are both having a better regular season than a year ago, while Fernandez has been healthier and already has almost as many appearances as in the entire 2022-23.

And if you think there should be a worry these veterans could be too tired come playoff time, here's a good reason to think again.

### Los Blancos' rested legs

Yes, experience does come with age and the core of Real Madrid's roster is one of the oldest in the competition. However, that should not be much, or any, burden to this team come playoff time.

The reason is that the only Real player averaging more than 25 minutes per game is [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (25:29), who ranks 37th in the competition. Campazzo is one of only two Real players, the other being [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), who has played in each of the 26 games this season. No other playoff or play-in contender has its leader in playing time with such low average minutes.

In addition, Tavares averages 23:09 minutes, second most on Real, while every other team currently in the top eight has at least two players averaging 25 or more minutes.

Real Madrid production comes from everyone and everywhere. Real has five players averaging double figures in points, and eight different players scoring more than 8.0 points per game.

Real Madrid production comes from everyone and everywhere

When it comes to total minutes played, Campazzo is the only Real player in the top 50, while Musa and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) are the only other Real players among the top 75 players in minutes played that season.

Mix in the fact that Real is about to secure its playoff berth, and will likely soon clinch home-court advantage for the playoffs, one can expect these players to be fresh in late April and May.

### Production from everyone and everywhere

Last, but not least, we circle back to the talent, team quality and depth at every position. In Real's case, the entire roster seems to have been delivering this season.

Real has five players averaging double figures in points, and eight different players scoring more than 8.0 points per game. The dominance on the boards comes thanks to four different players posting at least 4.4 rebounds per game.

That group is led by Tavares and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (5.2 rpg.), who also happen to be the league's top two shot-blockers. But when it comes to controlling the boards, the likes of Hezonja (4.4 rpg.) and [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) (4.9 rpg.) come up huge and both are often ready to dominate, especially on the defensive glass.

In this exclusive interview, Mario Hezonja talks about Real Madrid's historic run, how he has matured with Los Blancos, his relationship with head coach Chus Mateo, and much more.

Mario Hezonja, Real, December MVP: 'We can go to even another level'

Campazzo runs the offense with a league second-best 6.5 assists per game and Real also has Rodriguez delivering 4.3 assists. In high-stake playoff games, at least one of the two will be on the floor, guaranteeing Real's offense keeps humming.

Remember, Campazzo was voted MVP for November, Hezonja for December, and Musa was January MVP.

Add to the mix the likes of Causeur or Fernandez, veterans who have for years been unmistakably delivering in clutch situations late in the season, and it is hard to see Real Madrid getting stopped on its way to reaching the Final Four for the third consecutive season.

### Zalgiris makes it 5 straight Lithuanian Cups

Zalgiris Kaunas made it five straight Lithuanian King Mindaugas Cups with an 86-70 triumph over BKT EuroCup side 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in the final at Zalgirio Arena. Zalgiris pulled away with a 29-19 second quarter to lead 52-38 at halftime and never looked back. Keenan Evans led the way for Zalgiris with 16 points and Toma Dimsa, Laurynas Birutis and Brady Manek added 12 points apiece.  Deividas Sirvydis scored 15 for Lietkabelis, Gediminas Orelik contributed 13 points and 8 assists, Djordje Gagic netted 11 points and Vytenis Lipkevicius 10.

Gagic shined early and it was 15-15 lead in the opening quarter before Dimsa and Rolands Smits gave Zalgiris a 4-point lead after 10 minutes. A 7-0 run to open the second quarter, capped by a Dimsa three, gave Zalgiris the game’s first double-digit lead, 30-19. The margin grew to 17 before settling at 52-38 at the break. Lietkabelis never mounted a serious charge after that and the lead peaked at 76-56 early in the fourth quarter.

<center> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris are the 2024 King Mindaugas Cup winners! 👑 <a href="https://t.co/WG22owBB3g">pic.twitter.com/WG22owBB3g</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1759301293321892165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Spain: Real tops Barcelona in final

Real Madrid won the Spanish Copa del Rey for a record 29th time after holding off archrival FC Barcelona 96-85 in the final on Sunday in Malaga. Facu Campazzo starred with 18 points and 6 assists and Vincent Poirier posted 17 points and 8 rebounds to lead the winners. Dzanan Musa and Guerschon Yabusele added 15 points apiece, Gabriel Deck scored 13 and Mario Hezonja 12. Jabari Parker paced Barcelona with 19 points, Tomas Satoransky contributed 15 and Jan Vesely 14.

Real jumped out to a 9-2 start and Barcelona came back to tie things at 19-19 after 10 minutes. It was 43-45 at halftime and Vesely put Barca up by 4 early in the third quarter. Real Madrid turned the tables to take a 66-63 lead into the fourth quarter. Threes by Yabusele and Deck saw Real pad its lead, but Barca kept it close, 81-77, after a Satoransky basket with less than 4 minutes to play. A 12-2 run then put the game on ice and started the celebrations.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAMPEONESCOPA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAMPEONESCOPA</a> 😍 <a href="https://t.co/lwV3YIuZgx">pic.twitter.com/lwV3YIuZgx</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1759297851543199929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Olympiacos successfully defends the Greek Cup

The Greek Cup will remain in Piraeus for the third year running after Olympiacos topped Panathinaikos Athens 58-69 in the final. Moustapha Fall dominated with 13 points on 6-of-7 two-point shooting plus 7 rebounds and 2 blocks to lead the Reds. Moses Wright was good for 13 points and 6 rebounds in 13 minutes and Filip Petrusev added 10 points to complete a strong showing from the Olympiacos front court. Thomas Walkup played a key role on defense with 5 steals as the Reds forced 17 turnovers. Dinos Mitoglou led Panathinaikos with 16 points, Mathias Lessort scored 12, Jerian Grant had 11 points and 5 assists and Kendrick Nunn added 10 points.

Lessort scored twice as Panathinaikos jumped to a 10-4 lead. The Reds regrouped to edge ahead 12-14 after 10 minutes.  A 0-7 Olympiacos run gave the Reds the lead in the second quarter and it was 25-30 at halftime. A three by Mitoglou capped a strong start by the Greens to the second half to lead 32-31 and it was 39-39 late in the quarter before Olympiacos, led by Alec Peters, reeled off 8 unanswered points to end the third quarter. Wrigth gave the Reds a double-digit lead, 46-56, and Panathinaikos never got closer than 9 in the closing minutes.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CupMenHellas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CupMenHellas</a>: Ο Ολυμπιακός μας είναι Κυπελλoύχος Ελλάδας για το 2024!<br>Greek Cup Winners 2024!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFights</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/3PEAT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#3PEAT</a> 🏆🔴⚪ <a href="https://t.co/MwM9B7awtc">pic.twitter.com/MwM9B7awtc</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1759292579017888181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Bayern celebrates another German Cup win

FC Bayern Munich won the German BBL Pokal for the fifth time by beating ratiopharm Ulm 81-65 in the final at BMW Park in Munich. After falling behind early, Bayern used a monster second quarter to take control for good. Sylvain Francisco was named MVP of the final after shining with 17 points and 4 assists for Bayern. Andreas Obst contributed 13 points and Serge Ibaka posted 9 points and 7 boards. Juan Nunez and LJ Figueroa scored 17 points apiece for Ulm and Pacome Dadiet added 12 in defeat.

Figueroa drained a pair of three-pointers as Ulm raced out to a 3-11 lead. A triple by Robin Christen made it 9-18 after 10 minutes. Francisco scored half the points in a 14-0 run to open the second quarter. Nunez briefly tied the game at 23-23, but Bayern continued to roll and led 35-28 at the break. Leandro Bolmaro stretched the margin to double figures early in the third quarter, but a final Ulm push made it 46-42. A pair of threes by Obst helped Bayern pull away to lead 59-47 through three quarter and Ulm never threatened again.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Mission Titelverteidigung ✅ <a href="https://t.co/jSQ9BAtqH7">pic.twitter.com/jSQ9BAtqH7</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1759242174305312895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce regains the Turkish Cup

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul captured the Turkish Cup for the first time since 2020 by taking out the reining cup holder Anadolu Efes Istanbul 67-80 on Sunday afternoon at Karatay Spor Kongre Merkezi Salonu in Konya.  Scottie Wilbekin scored 18 points and Johnathan Motley added 15 to pace the winners. Nigel Hayes-Davis netted 12 points and Nick Calathes tallied 10 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for Fenerbahce. Shane Larkin paced Efes with 17 points and 6 assists, Will Clyburn contributed 16 and 7 rebounds and Elijah Bryant scored 15 in defeat.

Marko Guduric heated up late in the first quarter to give Fener a 20-26 lead after 10 minutes. Motley scored the first two baskets of the second quarter as the lead reached double figures and grew to 12 before Larkin and Clyburn willed Efes to within 35-42 at the break. Fenerbahce scored the first 8 points of the second half and led by as many as 18 in the third quarter. Clyburn and Larkin rallied Efes to within 55-63 early in the fourth quarter, but then Wilbekin sandwiched a pair of three around another by Hayes-Davis and Efes never threatened again.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aile. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/HcCM4kKUe6">pic.twitter.com/HcCM4kKUe6</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1759243905722102241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A handful of EuroLeague teams celebrated domestic cup wins on Sunday.

Domestic cups: Zalgiris, Real, Olympiacos, Bayern, Fenerbahce lift crowns

Teammates turn from friends to foes in EuroBasket qualifiers

The midseason window for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers will see several teammates from Turkish Airlines EuroLeague squads and a few more from the BKT EuroCup meet each other on the court wearing their national colors. There will be dozens of EuroLeague and EuroCup players taking the courts for the games, which will take place February 22-23 and 25-26 with 32 countries represented. 

Three EuroLeague teams in particular – reigning champion Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich and Virtus Segafredo Bologna – as well as EuroCup champion Dreamland Gran Canaria will have a tough time taking sides with players squaring off against each other in some of these games. And though we may not see the type of hijinks witnessed when Ted Laso characters Dani Rojas and Thierry Zoreaux left their club teams to face off in an international window, there are certain to be many interesting moments when club teammates duel.

The first such occurrence could happen on Thursday, February 22 when Germany faces Montenegro. FC Bayern Munich swingman Dino Radoncic is on the roster for Montenegro, while no fewer than four of his teammates are on the German squad: Ivan Kharchenkov, Nelson Weidemann, Nick Weiler-Babb, Jan-Niklas Wimberg. They will not be the only Bayern teammates to meet as guard Sylvain Francisco is set to play for France and center Danko Brankovic for Croatia when those countries meet the following evening.

That France-Croatia clash will also feature teammates from Real Madrid, Virtus and Gran Canaria. Vincent Poirier and Guerschon Yabusele from Los Blancos, Isaia Cordinier of Virtus and Gran Canaria’s Andrew Albicy are all listed on France’s preliminary roster. Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid, the Virtus trio of Leo Menalo, Michael Ruzic and Ante Zizic, and Granca’s Roko Prkacin have all been selected for the Croatian squad.

Two more Virtus stars are set to meet on February 23 with guard Iffe Lundberg representing Denmark when they face Georgia and Toko Shengelia. 

In the second set of games, Shengelia will meet another Virtus teammate, Ognjen Dobric, on Monday, February 26, when Georgia hosts Serbia. That evening will also see Gran Canaria teammates Amar Gegic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and France’s Albicy take part in a showdown.

Of course, there could yet be changes as many countries have only submitted preliminary rosters and not all the aforementioned players will necessarily suit up for these games. However, those that do will surely have some good stories to tell when they return to their clubs afterward. 

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade conquered its 10th Serbian Cup title this century. Seven other Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams have a chance to win a domestic cup title tomorrow. 

Domestic cups: Zvezda is the Serbian Cup champion!

### Zvezda wins Serbian Korac Cup title!

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade is the Serbian Radivoj Korac Cup champion! Zvezda won its fourth consecutive Serbian Cup title by downing Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 85-79 in Nis on Saturday. Rokas Giedraitis led the winners with 17 points. Milos Teodosic added 16 while Joel Bolomboy had 14 for Zvezda. Zach Leday led Partizan with 24 points. Kevin Punter added 20 and James Nunnally 10. Punter and Nunnally combined for 14 first-quarter points to help Partizan get a 15-18 lead after 10 minutes. Punter soon made it a double-digit game, 15-25. Zvezda found a go-to guy in Giedratis, who scored all points in a 10-2 run that put the hosts in charge, 43-41. Leday struck from downtown to fix the halftime score at 43-44. Giedraitis kept pacing Zvezda after the break, getting help from Bolomboy and Teodosic to boost their team's lead to 60-53 late in the third quarter. LeDay got Partizan within 70-68 but Dejan Davidovac buried a three-pointer and Nedovic added back-to-back baskets for a 77-68 Zvezda lead. Branko Lazic, Teodosic and Yago dos Santos were ice cold from the foul line to stop Partizan's comeback. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">KUP JE NAŠ 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sportmts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportmts</a> <a href="https://t.co/HAe8hneAOu">pic.twitter.com/HAe8hneAOu</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1758980208592343431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Barca sets records in Spanish semis

FC Barcelona reached the Spanish Copa del Rey final for the 39th time by thrashing Lenovo Tenerife 108-76 in Malaga. Willy Hernangomez led Barca with 15 points. Dario Brizuela added 13 while Alex Abrines, Joel Parra and Rokas Jokubaitis had for 10 for Barca, that trailed 14-16 after 10 minutes. Brizuela, Tomas Satoransky and Abrines each struck from downtown in a 27-4 run that broke the game open, 41-20. Barca soon boosted its margin to 54-24 at the break. That 30-point lead at halftime is three of the records Barca beat in this game, along with most points in a quarter (40) and biggest difference in a quarter (40-8, +32). Barca went on to keep a really safe lead until the final buzzer ahead of its next game against Real Madrid: the Copa del Rey final!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">A LA FINAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/ncq3h2JwiY">pic.twitter.com/ncq3h2JwiY</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1758971382484852827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Olympiacos beats Promitheas in semis

Olympiacos Piraeus reached the Greek Cup final by beating Promitheas Patras 91-77 behind 15 points from Filip Petrusev. Moustapha Fall had 11 while Thomas Walkup, Moses Wright and Alec Peters each had 10 for the Reds. Walkup led an 8-0 run which allowed Olympiacos to get a 19-10 margin. Isaiah Canaan soon made free throws to make it a double-digit game, 23-13. Promitheas rallied and took the lead, 29-30, on a jumper by Cameron Reynolds. Petrusev and Giannoulis Larentzakis helped the Reds restore a 40-36 edge at halftime. Peters capped a 10-0 run with a triple that broke the game open, 58-45. Olympiacos boosted its margin to 70-52 late in the third quarter and cruised to an important win. As such, there will be another Greek derby in the cup final: Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final score! | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CupMenHellas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CupMenHellas</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYPRO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYPRO</a> <a href="https://t.co/To1RUacILf">pic.twitter.com/To1RUacILf</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1758958604772618364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Milan goes past Reyer in semis 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan made it to the Italian Cup final by thrashing Umana Reyer Venice 100-77 in Turin, Italy. Shavon Shields led the way with 28 points. Shabazz Napier added 17 while Diego Flaccadori had 13 for Milan. Mfiondu Kabengele led Reyer with 18 points. Rayjon Tucker had 15, Marco Spissu added 14 and Aamir Simms 10. Amedeo Tessitori gave Reyer a 2-6 lead. Milan started rolling right after that, using a 13-2 run that Shields capped with a three-pointer to take the lead for good, 15-8. Milan boosted its margin to 31-20 after 10 minutes and then again to 60-37 at halftime, enough to keep full control of the game throughout the second half. Milan will face Generazione Vincente Napoli Basket in the final. Napoli needed overtime to beat UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 78-87 in the other semifinal. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">FINALE! ⚪️🔴<br>L’Olimpia crea il divario nel primo tempo. Nel secondo controlla e vince 100 a 77 ⚪️🔴<br><br>(Shields 28 pts, Napier 17, Flaccadori 13)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olimpiamilano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olimpiamilano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/zFf2aFeMUo">pic.twitter.com/zFf2aFeMUo</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1758928589695639608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Real, closer to 29th Spanish Cup title

Real Madrid advanced to the Spanish Copa del Rey final by downing Valencia Basket 95-76 in the first semifinal in Malaga. Dzanan Musa led the winners with 18 points. Guerschon Yabusele added 14, Sergio Llull had 11 while Facu Campazzo and Vincent Poirier each got 10 for Real. Brandon Davies led Valencia with 18 points. Justin Anderson and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui had 12 apiece. Davies and Chris Jones each struck from downtown to give Valencia an early 3-6 lead. Real found a go-to guy in Musa, who had 7 points in a 16-0 run that Yabusele capped with a basket that boosted Los Blancos' lead to 19-6. Jones and Semi Ojeleye brought Valencia closer, 23-17, after 10 minutes. Lopez-Arostegui got Valencia within 42-39 near halftime, then Musa and Mario Hezonja boosted Real's lead to 48-39 at halftime. Musa and Yabusele got help from Campazzo to break the game open, 65-44, soon after the break, and Real never looked back. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">👏 ¡Estamos en la FINAL de la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaACB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaACB</a>! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/FzYL5osfvf">pic.twitter.com/FzYL5osfvf</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1758928005613732018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Nunn leads Panathinaikos to Greek final 

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens reached the Greek Cup final by topping Aris Egalia Thessaloniki 76-65 behind 20 points from Kendrick Nunn. Jerian Grant and Dinos Mitoglou each added 10 for the Greens. Vassilis Toliopolulos led Aris with 21 points while Ronnell Harrell added 11. Toliopoulos had 7 quick points to give Aris a 5-9 lead. Kostas Sloukas and an unstoppable Nunn made Panathinaikos get a 19-16 edge after 10 minutes. Mathias Lessort took over early in the second quarter and Mitoglou soon made it a double-digit game, 32-22. Panathinaikos boosted its margin to 44-28 but Kris Bankston and Jonathan Stark gave Aris within 44-33 at halftime. Panathinaikos kept a safe margin throughout the second half and Kostas Antetokoumpo's back-to-back dunks sealed the outcome, 68-53, midway through the fourth quarter. Panathinaikos needs one more win to claim its 21st Greek Cup title. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Score ☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARISBCgr</a> 76-65<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPAP_Final8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OPAP_Final8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CupMenHellas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CupMenHellas</a> <a href="https://t.co/vw0IWqs1TR">pic.twitter.com/vw0IWqs1TR</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1758914948606906536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Zalgiris advances to Lithuanian final 

Zalgiris Kaunas reached the King Mindaugas Cup final by topping Siauliai 87-77 at Zalgirio Arena. Lukas Lekavicius paced the winners with 17 points. Tomas Dimsa added 13, Laurynas Birutis had 12 while Keenan Evans got 10 for Zalgiris, that trailed 39-47 near halftime. Lekavicius and Birutis combined for 11 points in a 13-0 run that put Zalgiris in charge, 56-51. Siauliai tied the game again, 61-61, but Dimsa and an outstanding Evans put Zalgiris out of trouble, 70-63, with 9 minutes left. Edgaras Ulanovas hit a three-pointer to seal the outcome, 86-76, in the next-to-last minute. Zalgiris looks for its seventh King Mindaugas Cup title and its 13th domestic cup overall. It faces 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys tomorrow. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris is heading to the Citadele KMT final! ✅ <a href="https://t.co/Pz0cOcfgmg">pic.twitter.com/Pz0cOcfgmg</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1758926010286751811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Bayern returns to German Cup final

FC Bayern made it to the German Cup final by downing Bamberg Baskets 62-81 behind 15 points from Serge Ibaka. Bayern had nine other players scoring at least 5 points. Bamberg led 22-21 after 10 minutes but Ibaka had 6 points in a 2-18 run which Vladimir Lucic and Niklas Wimberg capped with back-to-back three-pointers to break the game open, 29-46, near halftime. Nothing changed after that, as Bayern boosted its margin to 41-63 after 30 minutes and did not find much trouble to seal the win. Bayern will face ratiopharm Ulm in the German Cup title game. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Final Score: AB INS FINALE! Wir spielen morgen um den BBL-Pokal 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeCelebrateTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeCelebrateTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/cYV9FD3NBp">pic.twitter.com/cYV9FD3NBp</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1758865670790328357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Ulm beats ALBA in Germany semis

ratiopharm Ulm reached the German Cup final by downing ALBA Berlin 79-87 in Munich on Saturday. Ulm has a chance to win its first-ever German Cup title after losing back-to-back finald against ALBA in 2013 and 2014. Trevion Williams led the winners with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Tommy Klepeisz added 12 points, Karim Jallow had 11 while L.J. Figueroa and Georginho de Paula each got 10 for Ulm. Gabriele Procida and Matteo Spagnolo led ALBA with 14 points apiece. Williams and Juan Nunez gave Ulm a 13-19 lead but Malte Delow and Justin Bean fueled a 6-0 run that tied the game, 19-19, early in the second quarter. Phillip Kerkenhoff's tip-in gave Ulm a 40-42 edge at halftime. ALBA got a 68-60 lead with 8 minutes left but Klepeisz and De Paula combined for all points in a 4-17 run that restored a 72-77 Ulm lead. Williams scored his team's last 10 points to put the victory on ice. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Alles gegeben, aber am Ende reicht das heute leider nicht. Im Pokalhalbfinale des SIEGMUND TOP FOUR in München müssen wir uns knapp gegen den Deutschen Meister geschlagen geben.<br><br>Vielen Dank für den Support von 600 Fans, die unser Team begleitet haben. 💛💙<br><br>📸 Christina Pahnke <a href="https://t.co/VTgUla4fms">pic.twitter.com/VTgUla4fms</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1758923034960728298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Paris beats Monaco, advances to final 

Paris Basketball reached the French Leaders Cup final by downing AS Monaco 93-98 in Saint-Etienne. T.J. Shorts led the winners with 25 points. Nadir Hifi added 14, Justin Simon 13 and Mehdy Ngouama 10 for Paris. Mike James led Monaco with 18 points. Elie Okobo added 15, Alpha Diallo 13, Yakuba Ouattara 11 and Donta Hall 10. Monaco led 24-21 after 10 minutes and extended its margin to 43-33 on Hall's dunk. Simon and Ngouama rescued Paris, then Sebastian Herrera struck from downtown to fic the halftime score at 54-53. Diallo and Mam Jaiteh allowed Monaco to regain a 77-68 lead late in the third quarter. Shorts and Simon gave Paris hope, 83-81, with over 7 minutes left. Hall dunked again, then Shorts and Ngouama fueled a 2-13 run that Hifi capped wih a three-pointer that gave Paris a 87-94 margin. Shorts and Herrera took care of business in crunch time. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">❌️ Pas de finale pour la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a>, qui s'incline en fin de match 🆚️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> 💥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeadersCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeadersCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/fDrB9EKAqL">pic.twitter.com/fDrB9EKAqL</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1758976447920636075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade conquered its 10th Serbian Radivoj Korac Cup title this century. Seven other Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams have a chance to win a domestic cup title tomorrow. 

Domestic cups: Zvezda is the Serbian Korac Cup champion! 

These players are the lucky few that have managed to reach the pinnacle in both the EuroLeague and FIBA continental competitions.

Celebrating those who have worn EuroLeague and FIBA continental crowns

Even though it is never easy to find success on both a club and national team level, some have managed to do just that. In fact, every EuroBasket-winning team in the 21st century has had at least one Turkish Airlines EuroLeague or BKT EuroCup winner on its roster.

### No one has won more than King Rudy

In recent years, Spain's dominance at the EuroBasket has allowed some players to put together a legendary roll of honors. No one more than [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/), who first won the EuroCup with Joventut Badalona in 2008 and then added EuroBasket crowns in 2009 and 2011. In 2015, he won the EuroLeague with Real Madrid and a EuroBasket gold in a space of a few months! He added more EuroLeague championships in 2018 and 2023 and another EuroBasket gold in 2022.

If Fernandez wins a fourth EuroLeague title, he will be the first player to win the top European competitions at the club and national team level four times each. Fernandez's achievements also include two FIBA Basketball World Cup titles, three Olympic medals, six Spanish Leagues championships, six Spanish Cups and the only Intercontinental Cup he took part in, with Real in 2015.

Fernandez leads a short list of players who won the EuroLeague, EuroCup and EuroBasket titles. [Ricky Rubio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rubio-ricky/lfw/) won the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona (2010), the EuroCup with Joventut (2008) and two EuroBaskets with Spain (2009, 2011) before age 21. That list also includes [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) (CSKA Moscow 2015, 2019, Valencia Basket 2010, France 2013), [Aleksey Savrasenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksey-savrasenko/alr/) (Olympiacos Piraeus 1997, CSKA 2006, 2008, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar 2013, Russia 2007), [Antonis Fotsis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonis-fotsis/bez/) (Panathinaikos Athens 2000, 2009, 2011, Dynamo Moscow 2006, Greece 2005), [Felipe Reyes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/felipe-reyes/aax/) (Real 2015, 2018, Real 2007, Spain 2009, 2011, 2015), [Lazaros Papadopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lazaros-papadopoulos/app/) (Panathinaikos 2002, Olympiacos 2012, Dynamo 2006, Greece 2005) and [Dejan Tomasevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dejan-tomasevic/afc/) (Panathinaikos 2007, Valencia 2003, Yugoslavia 1995, 1997 and 2001).

### More multiple-time winners

There is also an elite group of players who have won the EuroBasket and the EuroLeague three times. Only two of them won all six trophies in the 21st century: Fernandez and longtime teammate [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) (Real 2015, 2018, 2023; Spain (2009, 2011, 2015). Recent three-time EuroLeague and EuroBasket winners also include [Dejan Bodiroga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bodiroga-dejan/apn/) (Panathinaikos 2000, 2002, Barca 2003; Yugoslavia 1995, 1997, 2001) and [Zoran Savic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zoran-savic/aoe/) (Split 1990, 1991, Virtus Segafredo Bologna 1998; Yugoslavia 1991, 1995, 1997).

You have to go way back to complete the list with Gennady Volnov (CSKA 1961, 1963, 1969; Soviet Union 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969), Janis Krumins (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960, Soviet Union 1959, 1961, 1963), Valdis Muiznieks (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960; Soviet Union 1957, 1959, 1961) and Maigonis Valdmanis (ASK Riga 1958, 1959, 1960; Soviet Union 1957, 1959, 1961).

### Coaches Obradovic and Gomelskiy set the standard

When it comes to head coaches, two names stand out. Zeljko Obradovic captured nine EuroLeague titles with five different teams: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in 1992, Joventut in 1994, Real in 1995, Panathinaikos in 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011, and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in 2017, and lifted the EuroBasket trophy with Yugoslavia in 1997. If you think 10 combined titles are unbeatable, think again. Alexander Gomelskiy led ASK Riga to the first-ever EuroLeague three-peat from 1958 to 1960, won a fourth title with CSKA in 1971 and added seven EuroBasket crowns with the Soviet Union (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1979 and 1981).

### More and more champions!

Some 41 players have won either the EuroLeague, the EuroCup, or both, as well as a EuroBasket gold medal in the 21st century. [Marko Jaric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-jaric/anm/) was the first player to win the EuroLeague and the EuroBasket in the 21st century, getting both titles in 2001. Bodiroga and Tomasevic were his 2001 EuroBasket teammates and went on to win the EuroLeague. The only Lithuanian to claim EuroLeague and EuroBasket titles was [Sarunas Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saras-jasikevicius/adg/) (Barca 2003, Maccabi Tel Aviv 2004, 2005, Panathinaikos 2009, Lithuania 2003). [Eurelijus Zukauskas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/eurelijus-zukauskas/adx/), [Mindaugas Zukauskas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mindaugas-zukauskas/ags/) and [Saulius Stombergas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/saulius-stombergas/ajh/) narrowly missed the cut, winning EuroBasket 2003 with Lithuania and the EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas... in 1999.

There were 11 EuroLeague winners — or future winners — on the 12-man Greek squad that won EuroBasket 2005: [Ioannis Bourousis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ioannis-bourousis/aqu/), [Dimitris Diamantidis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimitris-diamantidis/jko/), [Dimos Dikoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dimos-dikoudis/abb/), [Antonis Fotsis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/antonis-fotsis/bez/), [Nikos Chatzivrettas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikos-hatzivrettas/bcs/), [Lazaros Papadopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lazaros-papadopoulos/app/), [Theo Papaloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/theodoros-papaloukas/atw/), [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/), [Kostas Tsartsaris](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-tsartsaris/acn/), [Panos Vasilopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/panagiotis-vasilopoulos/jrf/) and [Nikos Zisis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikos-zisis/abn/). Only [Michalis Kakiouzis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/michailis-kakiouzis/abg/), who reached three EuroLeague Final Fours, didn't lift the trophy. [J.R. Holden](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jr-holden/aqo/) and [Victor Khryapa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-khryapa/bcq/) join Savrasenko as Russian winners, [Anthony Randolph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/anthony-randolph/005757/) and [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/) won EuroBasket 2017 with Slovenia and the EuroLeague with Real in 2018, and the rest of the names are Spanish: Fernandez, Llull, Rubio, Reyes, [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/), [Juan Carlos Navarro](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juan-carlos-navarro/adi/) and [Victor Sada](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/victor-sada/bgo/).

Plenty of Spanish players join Rubio, Reyes and Fernandez as EuroCup and EuroBasket winners: [Alberto Diaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alberto-diaz/004213/), [Pablo Aguilar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pablo-aguilar/ksf/), [Victor Claver](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/victor-claver/000556/), [Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pau-ribas/jug/), [Fernando San Emeterio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/fernando-san-emeterio/000518/), [Guillem Vives](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/guillem-vives/002361/) and [Alex Mumbru](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/alex-mumbru/bfj/). The list is completed by [Antoine Diot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/antoine-diot/tfk/), [Mickael Gelabale](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mickael-gelabale/bhn/) and [Florent Pietrus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/florent-pietrus/azk/) of France, Savrasenko, [Sergey Bykov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sergey-bykov/kos/), [Sergey Monya](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sergey-monia/bfx/), [Zakhar Pashutin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zakhar-pashutin/ayu/) and [Petr Samoylenko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/petr-samoylenko/kvk/) of Russia, Papadopoulos and Fotsis of Greece, and Tomasevic of Serbia.

### Celebrating the seven EuroLeague and AmeriCup champions

The list of players who have trophies as champions of both the EuroLeague and the FIBA AmeriCup is short. It features seven names: [Manu Ginobili](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/emanuel-ginobili/akx/), [Pepe Sanchez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/pepe-sanchez/azu/), [Andres Nocioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andres-nocioni/apr/), [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) and [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) of Argentina, [Anderson Varejao](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/anderson-varejao/bbw/) of Brazil and [Gustavo Ayon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gustavo-ayon/005927/) of Mexico.

The first to lay claim to this honor was Ginobili, who in 2001 won the EuroLeague with Virtus Bologna and later that summer won the AmeriCup. His Argentina teammate that summer, Sanchez, was next when he claimed a EuroLeague championship the next year with Panathinaikos. Andres Nocioni, who — like Ginobili and Sanchez — won the AmeriCup for the second time in 2011, tasted EuroLeague glory for the first time in 2015.

Nocioni is one of the three Argentinians to win the AmeriCup as well as the EuroLeague with Real. Campazzo was already a two-time EuroLeague champion (2015, 2018) when he won the AmeriCup alongside Deck in 2022. Deck then joined the club by winning the EuroLeague with Real last season.

Ayon joins Campazzo as the only player to win the EuroLeague twice as well as the AmeriCup. Ayon, who won the 2013 AmeriCup with Mexico, was a teammate of Campazzo on both the 2015 and 2018 Real squads. Brazil's Varejao completes the list; he was a EuroLeague champion with Barcelona in 2003 and an AmeriCup champion in both 2005 and 2009.

### A single EuroLeague and AfroBasket

[Salah Mejri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/salah-mejri/005196/) from Tunisia is a two-time AfroBasket winner (2011, 2021), the 2011 AfroBasket MVP and, with Real Madrid, won the 2015 EuroLeague. He is the only player with both titles, though Senegal's [Boniface Ndong](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/boniface-ndong/tge/) came pretty close. Ndong won the EuroLeague in 2010 with Barcelona and earlier was named the 2005 AfroBasket MVP even though Senegal finished second after a narrow loss to Angola.

More players will surely add their names to these lists in 2025 when a new crop of EuroBasket, AmeriCup and AfroBasket winners celebrate atop the podium.

Not many players have won the EuroLeague and been crowned continental champions with their national teams. Let's see who has.