Name: Magic Moment: What a pass by Benitez!
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

What a pass by Hugo Benitez as he thread the needle perfectly to Kevin Kokila for the dunk.

Magic Moment: What a pass by Benitez!

 What a pass by Hugo Benitez as he thread the needle perfectly to Kevin Kokila for the dunk.

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-10-02T17:30:00.000Z)

Jean Montero’s glorious behind the back pass gives Jaime Pradilla an easy finish


 Magic Moment: Montero’s magical assist! 

 Jean Montero’s glorious behind the back pass gives Jaime Pradilla an easy finish


Valencia Basket v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-10-02T18:30:00.000Z)

Kur Kuath follows a miss by flying high for a fierce putback slam!

Magic Moment: Kuath flies high!

 Kur Kuath follows a miss by flying high for a fierce putback slam!

Big man Mawugbe throws it down after Lamb weaved his way through Sopot’s defense!

 Magic Moment: Mawugbe with a two-handed dunk! 

 Big man Mawugbe throws it down after Lamb weaved his way through Sopot’s defense!

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Trefl Sopot (2024-10-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Andrew Albicy slices through the defense before dishing to Miquel Salvo, who had the easy score.

Magic Moment: Albicy dances with the Buducnost defense!

 Andrew Albicy slices through the defense before dishing to Miquel Salvo, who had the easy score.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2024-10-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Quinn Ellis delivers a great pass to Selom Mawugbe for two easy points

 Magic Moment: What a pass by Quinn Ellis! 

Adam Mokoka gets past his man but Jean-Marc Pansa flies in for the massive block.

 Magic Moment: Pansa swats Mokoka! 

 Adam Mokoka gets past his man but Jean-Marc Pansa flies in for the massive block.

FC Bayern Basketball hosts Real Madrid in the first-ever EuroLeague game at SAP Garden, the German club's new home.

Bayern vs. Real Madrid: SAP Garden to open with a bang

A top-class arena has the chance to propel a club into a new dimension, and that is very much what FC Bayern Munich is hoping for. Now entering its 10th Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign, the German giant will present its brand-new SAP Garden on the continental stage against the most successful team in EuroLeague history, Real Madrid, in the first Rivalry Series game of the season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first Rivalry Series game of the 2024-25 season 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> in the opening game of SAP Garden in Munich 🇩🇪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZcumqC6K5p">pic.twitter.com/ZcumqC6K5p</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1841448046720078056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Every new campaign brings new hope and optimism, making this Round 1 clash particularly interesting. Bayern is coming off a summer in which it changed head coach following Pablo Laso’s surprise departure, with [Gordie Herbert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-bayern-basketball-tabs-world-champion-gordie-herbert-as-head-coach/) – the architect of Germany’s run to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and a fourth-placed finish at the 2024 Olympic Games – being the new man in charge. He has several familiar faces from his time with the national team on Bayern’s roster, including new additions [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) and [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/), making the adjustment process that much smoother.

For Real, it is coming off three successive trips to the EuroLeague Championship Game and will be hoping for the same again in 2024-25. However, it lost a lot of experience and key players in its rotation this past summer, with [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rudy-fernandez-calls-time-on-a-glittering-career/) and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/three-time-euroleague-champ-sergio-rodriguez-retires/) retiring, while [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) have all sought pastures new. That means that the core players who have remained, like [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/), [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) and [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), will see their roles increase even further. A couple of players have returned to the club this summer, too, in [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) and [Usman Garuba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/usman-garuba/007630/).

In fact, Ibaka gets an early opportunity to face his former team after returning to Europe last year with Bayern. Aged 35, the veteran big man still posted impressive numbers in Munich, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks across 28 EuroLeague games, and his one-two punch with Tavares should be deadly all season long. 

Ahead of his big move to Real Madrid, look back some of the highlights in his one-season stay with FC Bayern Munich.

Serge Ibaka | Best 2023-24

If Bayern may be in for a long night in the paint, one area where it may be able to have some joy against Real is at the guard positions. In a new offensive scheme under Coach Herbert, scorers [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) and [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) should be given free rein, with [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) making their presence felt on defense against Campazzo, in particular.

SAP Garden is able to hold 12,500 fans, way up from the 6,500 capacity of BMW Park, and Bayern will be banking on its fans being the sixth man on Thursday night. Real comes into this game on a four-game winning streak against Bayern, having last lost to the German giant in Madrid in April 2022, and it has been victorious on its last four trips to Munich. The last time Bayern defeated Real at home was in late October 2019, while the only other time it beat *Los Blancos* came in its first-ever EuroLeague campaign in 2013-14.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🌟 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 🌟<br><br>🔥 Munich, it´s time!<br>🏟️ Oct 3 | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> Opener | <a href="https://twitter.com/SAPGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAPGarden</a> <br>🏀 Bayern vs. Real Madrid<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAPGarden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAPGarden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fcbayern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OLYMPIAPARK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OLYMPIAPARK</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Nu6eXfqCS">pic.twitter.com/6Nu6eXfqCS</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1840723046501433599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There should be quite the show – on and off the court – for the 16th meeting between Bayern and Real in the EuroLeague. In addition to following this Rivalry Series clash via EuroLeague TV, check out the EuroLeague’s social media channels as we bring you even closer to the action. For post-game analysis from the experts, [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) is the place to go. 

Bayern is aiming to start off its new era at SAP Garden with a bang, but will Real play the role of party pooper? We will find out on Thursday night!

Game Videos

Game News

In the first round of the new season, optimism is very much in the air

FC Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (2024-10-03T18:45:00.000Z)

Rasheed Sulaimon finds Juwan Morgan cutting from the corner before Buducnost’s No 1 gets up for a big dunk.

Magic Moment: Juwan Morgan throws it down!

 Rasheed Sulaimon finds Juwan Morgan cutting from the corner before Buducnost’s No 1 gets up for a big dunk.

Each EuroLeague season sees new stars emerge, but who will shine bright this year?

Five newcomers to watch in the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign

The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is finally on our doorstep. Aside from the league’s already established players, there are several newcomers with the capacity to make a splash in their first year in Europe’s premier club basketball competition.

In this article, we have picked five notable EuroLeague rookies that fans should definitely pay attention to and follow during the 2024-25 season.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1721841/five-newcomers-to-watch-in-the-2024-25-euroleague-campaign/).

TJ Shorts in action for Paris Basketball during the club's BKT EuroCup-winning season in 2023-24.

Each season sees new stars emerge, but who will shine bright this year?

EFC Podcast Episode 1: The top players to select

In the first episode of season two of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge podcast, fantasy experts Frankie Sachs and Vasiliki Karamouza discuss which Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars that fantasy managers should consider selecting in Round 1 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

EFC Podcast Episode 1: Is Mike James worth picking?

Check out the full first episode from season two of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, featuring [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)'s Frankie Sachs and Sport 24's Vasiliki Karamouza, below.

AS Monaco guard Mike James is a game-time decision heading into Round 1 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, so what advice did fantasy experts Frankie Sachs and Vasiliki Karamouza give to managers in the first episode of season two of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge podcast?

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of the second week of action in the BKT EuroCup.

Round 2: Pre-game quotes and injury reports

## Wednesday's games

### Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Turk Telekom Ankara

**Ioannis Kastritis, Aris Midea Thessaloniki head coach**

"It's our first official home game. Nothing has changed in our approach. We're playing in front of our fans for the first time, and we are very excited. Our motivation must always be high, especially when facing such a strong team like Turk Telekom. So, in order to be competitive, we need to stay fully focused for the full 40 minutes. We have to try to extend our good  periods during the game so that, with the support of our fans, we can fight for a positive result."

**James Banks, Aris Midea Thessaloniki center**

"We know that Turk Telekom is a very strong team. It will be a very tough game, but we want to win it. We know that we can improve in certain areas, and each of us can become better. We know which parts of the game we are good at and which need improvement. The coach has a specific plan for us that we need to follow. The key for tomorrow's game will be to play tough and take as many rebounds as we can. We must not allow them to score easy points and we need to play together on both defense and offense."

### Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria

**Andrej Zakelj, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica head coach**

"This is an important game for us, and I think we need to show a reaction after the first round. We showed it on Saturday \[in the ABA League\], so we need to keep it going. Gran Canaria is always a tough opponent, with good athleticism, aggressiveness, and strong individual players. So, we expect a difficult task ahead, along with some issues we are dealing with, but we have to grit our teeth and, with the support of our fans, try to win our first home game. Gran Canaria has kept the core of their team, especially Albicy, who is the engine of the team. They brought in Thomasson and Homesley at the two and three spots, who are really strong scorers. Under the basket, there's Tobey, whom we know from the region, and Conditt. We must not forget Shurna, a tricky, atypical player. They are an experienced team, but we have our own task to do, and we will do everything we can to win."

**Rasheed Sulaimon, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica guard**

Well, first of all, we've got to respond. I thought we did a great job of responding last game, but this is the next EuroCup game, so we have to respond again. It's another big-time team, but we have to protect our home court. I’m expecting a strong reaction from the team, good energy from the fans, and hopefully, we’ll get it done.

### Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca

**Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach**

"We want to launch the Eurocup season at home in the best way, we are focused and ready, it's up to us to impose our game."

**Xavier Castaneda, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse guard**

"I am happy with the state of the team. We are focused on our upcoming opponent, Cluj who we know is a really good team. All Eurocup games involve great competitiveness and we have to be ready for Cluj tomorrow."

**Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach**

"We will play against the team that reached the finals last season. They are one of the favorites to win this group and even the BKT EuroCup. They play an aggressive type of basketball and they started this season very well. Unfortunately, we do not have the results we want so far, but we will try to play or chance. We will fight for a victory and we want to show better-quality basketball."

**Patrick Richard, U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard**

"We are ready to get back on the floor. We dropped the first two games of the season, so we want to bounce back. We are going to a tough place to play and win, especially in the last years. We continue to build, continue to improve and get better. We are taking it one game at a time. We are eager to get back on the court and we want to get a win on the road."

### Dolomiti Energia Trento vs. Trefl Sopot

**Eigirdas Zukauskas, Dolomiti Energia Trento forward**

"We will play our first home game against Sopot and we hope that many fans will come to support us, even though it is a midweek game. Sopot is a quality team, as demonstrated by their excellent performance against Ulm, where they lost only in overtime. They have a deep roster, with players capable of playing under the basket and outside the 6.75 line, making their game very dangerous."

**Zan Tabak, Trefl Sopot head coach:**

“They played their first game at Gran Canaria and were really close to winning on a difficult court. We really expect them to play fast and aggressive. We have to be able to control the defensive transition. They are a dangerous team to play.”

**Aaron Best, Trefl Sopot guard:**

“Trento is a tough, very talented team. We are going to have our work cut out for ourselves. We’re going dive into the film and travel up there and get ready for the next challenge. We have to play our brand of basketball. Be physical and tough, dictate the tempo from the defensive end the best we can and try to stick to our game plan.”

**Injury report**: Trefl Sopot reports that all player are ready to play.

### Valencia Basket vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg

**Hamburg injury report:** Zsombor Maronka (ankle joint injury), Jared Grey (broken arm), Niklas Wimberg (broken leg).

## Tuesday's games

### 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem

**Yonatan Alon, Hapoel Jerusalem head coach:**

"We are coming in very focused. The way we played against Valencia is still on our minds and we don’t want to perform like that in the EuroCup. We will face a tough and determined opponent who knows us very well, but we are coming with the goal of getting the job done. We must be sharp and win all the 50-50 balls, especially in the rebounding aspect, and offensively, we need to get good shots."

**Noam Dovrat, Hapoel Jerusalem guard:**

"Last week’s loss is on our minds and we are determined to correct the impression. It won’t be easy against a talented team with a home-court atmosphere, but as long as we implement everything we learned from the last loss, I believe we can win and bring some comfort to our dear fans who are supporting us from afar."

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul

**Dejan Radonjic, Bahcesehir College Istanbul head coach:**

“It is going to be our first EuroCup game at home. Beşiktaş is a good team and they showed it in their first game against Buducnost at home. They are an aggressive team on both ends of the floor and we have to respond to their aggressiveness. It will be a tough game. We practiced well and we have to focus for all 40 minutes.”

**Jaleen Smith,** **Bahcesehir College Istanbul guard:**

“This game is going to be tough. Besiktas is an aggressive and tough team. We need to limit their transition plays and figure it out on the offensive end to get the win.”

### ratiopharm Ulm vs. Joventut Badalona

\--

### Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius

**Stefanos Dedas, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach:**

“Wolves is our first game at home in a competition that we want to do great things this season. It’s a difficult and crucial game. We want to react and show character after the first tough game in Badalona. So it’s an opportunity to win, gain confidence and continue working as a team. We are a new team with good players and winning this game is going to give us time to continue building and connecting the players and hopefully we will be able to give our fans a first win.”

**Bar Timor, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward:** 

"We all know how important the next game is for our journey in the EuroCup and we want to show that we can play better as a team and win. We still have a long way to go this season and we will do everything we can on the court and hope the fans can be proud of us."

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Umana Reyer Venice

**Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach:**

"We are going to Ljubljana to face Olimpia Ljubljana, which plays much better than what the results suggest. In Cluj-Napoca, they showed how well they can play and how serious and organized they are as a team. Both teams lost their last game and are approaching this challenge with only one day of rest, which is very difficult under these conditions. But it is what it is, and we will do our best. Olimpia has a new roster, with a lot of talent, and like us, they are trying to find the best chemistry."

**Mfiondu Kabengele, Umana Reyer Venice center:**

"To best prepare for the game against Ljubljana, we each need to be aware that we must do our jobs to the best of our abilities. I'm not just talking about made or missed shots, but about defense, rebounding, and off-ball work. In short, doing the things that help the team win, like supporting each other."

**Injury report:** Reyer's Xavier Munford will not play, while Juan Fernandez is a game-time decision.

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of the second week of action in the BKT EuroCup

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-10-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-10-01T17:45:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Joventut Badalona (2024-10-01T17:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-10-01T18:00:00.000Z)

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2024-10-01T16:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-10-01T16:00:00.000Z)

The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is back for Season 2 with production upgrades and a new co-host! Vasiliki Karamouza of Sport 24 in Greece will join Frankie Sachs and Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net as a regular host to share her insights on everyone’s favorite EuroLeague companion contest.

The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is back for Season 2!

The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is back for Season 2 with production upgrades and a new co-host! [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://x.com/karamouza_vas) of Sport 24 in Greece will join [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) and [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto) of [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) as a regular host to share her insights on everyone’s favorite Turkish Airlines EuroLeague companion contest.

Vasiliki and Frankie share the mic in Episode 1 to detail the new rule changes this season, reveal how to join the podcast’s private fantasy league and, of course, give some tips on how to build your rosters. What obstacle is Frankie facing in Round 1? Who are Vasiliki’s must-have players? Get the answers to these questions and more by listening to the podcast now.

Several notable improvements have been made to the show

Bahcesehir College Istanbul is making plenty of noise in the 2024-25 EuroCup after winning its first two games, including a dominant win in the Istanbul derby against Besiktas.

Bahcesehir means business in this year's EuroCup

Bahcesehir College Istanbul has made a flying start to the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season as it [steamrolled to an 87-66 home win over its archrival Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-blows-away-besiktas-in-istanbul-derby-87-66/) in Round 2, which came after its opening 69-80 victory at Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius.

The impressive start will surely get the club’s fans dreaming of glory as Bahcesehir returned to the EuroCup for the first time in four seasons. On Tuesday, its effervescent performance saw last season’s semifinalist Besiktas get picked apart at Sinan Erdem Dome.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">📸 Galibiyetle ayrıldığımız Beşiktaş Fibabanka maçından kareler<br><br>❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyHighTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyHighTogether</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eurocup</a> <a href="https://t.co/qAdicnKsIC">pic.twitter.com/qAdicnKsIC</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1841192809350537547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The visitors were unable to keep up with Bahcesehir’s torrid pace from start to finish, as the hosts thoroughly outplayed their rivals in every department. Most of all in the paint, where an athletic Bahcesehir outfit grabbed 33 boards to 22 collected by Besiktas.

The home team was also clinical from downtown as it made 6-of-10 three-pointers, forcing low percentages from Besiktas which made 10 of 27. The visitors also struggled from inside, hitting a mere 13-of-27 shots against a steely Bahcesehir defense marshalled by former Besiktas forward [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/).

The 24-year-old Montenegrin resembled a wall in his own paint in the opening three quarters and then took off in the fourth to haunt Besiktas offensively, scoring 12 of a team-high 14 points in the final 10 minutes.

Boasting several high-profile new recruits added to the roster during the offseason, Bahcesehir look well balanced and structured with the likes of [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) and [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) adding steel and experience acquired during their time in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, most recently at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Smith dismantled Besiktas with a flawless first-half performance in which he racked up 12 points and 4 assists, while Ponitka’s tireless work at both ends of the court made sure Bahcesehir kept going at full throttle right until the end, having led by as many as 27 points (81-54) in the closing stages.

Simonovic’s energetic display, illustrated by 6-of-9 shooting from the floor to go with 5 boards and 2 blocks, personified Bahcesehir’s selfless approach which saw six players score double figures. The forward made it clear in no uncertain terms after the game that although he was elated to claim bragging rights over his former teammates, Bahcesehir would be ill-advised to get carried away.

“Besiktas is a really tough team, I know that because I was there last season,” Simonovic said in a courtside interview. “I want to congratulate my teammates and the coaching staff for this incredible win, which means a lot to me and to all of us.

“It’s just the beginning, we have to build on this and keep working hard in order to make forward progress. It’s our second win in a row and the first one at home, so we’ll be focused on our next game and keep this intensity.”

Bahcesehir head coach Dejan Radonjic echoed his compatriot’s words as he stressed that his players must keep their feet firmly on the ground.  “Congrats to my players for both the win and the performance,” he said. “We were outstanding at both ends but our defense was the key throughout the 40 minutes. We need to start thinking about the next practice session and the next game immediately.”

Expectably, Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic was unhappy with his team’s effort, which came as quite a shock to most fans and pundits after a smooth 94-76 home win over Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Round 1. 

“Bachesehir absolutely deserved to win while we have to work on our mistakes because we did not leave a good impression with this kind of performance,” he said.

In Round 3, Bahcesehir faces a stern test of its newly found credentials with a visit to Dreamland Gran Caaria, the competition’s 2022-23 winner, while Besiktas has an equally tough task at home against Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in another heavyweight clash.  

Bahcesehir College Istanbul's Tai Odiase looks to score against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in Round 2 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

If the opening two rounds in the EuroCup are anything to go by, Bahcesehir has every chance of being the surprise package of the season

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Umana Reyer Venice | Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

Jaka Blazic came up with a masterful and crucial showing in helping Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana win its first home game of the season - and climbed on the BKT EuroCup’s all-time scoring list in the process. 

Jaka Blazic jumped to eighth on all-time scoring list with strong second half

[Jaka Blazic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaka-blazic/003452/) may be 34 years old, but he doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. The veteran came up with a masterful and crucial showing in helping Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana win its first home game of the season - and climbed on the BKT EuroCup’s all-time scoring list in the process. 

Blazic tallied 15 of his 17 points in the second half of Cedevita’s 87-82 victory over Umana Reyer Venice to go with 1 rebound and 5 fouls drawn for a performance index rating of 15. 

Blazic, who is playing in his seventh season in the EuroCup - the fifth season with Cedevita, has now totaled 1,229 points, moving past Sammy Mejia’s 1,214. Next up in seventh place on the list is Valencia Basket legend Rafa Martinez with 1,240 points.

Blazic pulled even with Mejia with Cedevita’s first two points of the game on free throws. But he didn’t score again until his output was really needed. 

Reyer had started to pull away a bit early in the third quarter, opening a 42-50 lead 2 minutes into the second half. Blazic knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to get Cedevita back moving offensively. 

Blazic, who previously played in the EuroCup with Crvena Zveda Belgrade, MoraBanc Andorra, and since 2019 with Cedevita, struck again with 6 minutes left in the game as he buried a three-pointer from the right wing and converted the bonus free throw for a four-point play as Cedevita opened a 73-66 cushion. 

Jaka Blazic's big night against Reyer

Blazic’s heroics were needed again minutes later with a big three-point play for a 78-73 margin with under 3 minutes to go. 

The veteran leader was again there when it mattered most in the game-deciding play. Devin Robinson grabbed the defensive rebound inside the final 30 seconds and passed ahead to Blazic along the left sideline. He did a great job catching the pass and staying inbounds before feeding Derek Ogbeide, who passed ahead to DJ Stewart for a big dunk to make it 84-77 with 20 seconds remaining.

Cedevita nearly threw the game away but managed to hold on and make sure that Jaka Blazic’s big night was not for naught. 

The shooting guard finished with 17 points to pace Cedevita against Reyer

Patrick scored 11 of his team’s last 16 points to lead Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv to the win over Wolves Vilnius

Patrick Beverley came up clutch to lead Hapoel to first win

Patrick Beverley was unable to celebrate in his return to the competition that named him the MVP more than a decade ago. He and his team were defeated in Badalona, Spain, by 78-75 in the season opener last week. Beverley drained 4 threes and scored 14 points overall, but his shooting was not remarkable, as he finished 5-of-16 from the field.

In Round 2 against Wolves Twinsvet Vilnius, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv was dominating at halftime 53-41 with Beverley scoreless and making only a limited impact on the game. It didn’t look like his team needed him until the Lithuanians rallied at the end of the third period and even took the lead early in the fourth, 73-77.

"For most of the parts, we were better," said Hapoel head coach Stefanos Dedas in the post-game press conference. "But in the last minutes of the third quarter and in the beginning of the fourth, Wolves took momentum… We didn't play with a clear mind, we played with big, big pressure when we started losing the momentum… We were afraid to shoot the ball when open, but I took a timeout and explained to them that it was just to enjoy, play basketball… in some moments pressure comes too much to our heads."

Big 4th-quarter plays by Patrick Beverley against Wolves

At that moment, Hapoel trailed 73-77, and it was then that Beverley, who had just made an off-the-glass three-pointer, took over. He made his second three right after to make it a 1-point game and followed with his third and his fourth a few offenses later to cap a 13-3 run in 4 minutes that got his team back in charge for good.

"We have some bad moments," Dedas continued. "\[It was\] not because the players don't try, or they don't want. Like we say in Greece, heavy legs, or not clear mind. In the last minutes we shot the ball with confidence, even if we missed open, we kept shooting. Patrick obviously made some big shots and this is what basketball game is all about. Who makes the big shots in the end and the crucial stops wins."

Even though Beverley would end up missing his last two three-point attempts -finishing 4-of-6 from behind the arc, he showed up again in the last minute to secure the win from the line. He scored 11 of his team’s last 16 points, proving his experience and determination can help Hapoel beat pressure when the opponents get big.

"It was a very good game," he celebrated. "It’s a tough team. I think they were without one of their main players, so we were fortunate tonight… You know, we're going to get everyone's best punch. Everyone's going to play us real hard. Everyone's going to play us strong because of the names we have on the team. No game is easy There is no such thing as an ugly win or a pretty win, its only wins or losses and we were fortunate to get this one."

The former EuroCup MVP scored 11 points in the last 7 minutes.