Round 15 of the EuroLeague gets underway this Thursday night with five games, including Fenerbahce vs. Monaco and Dusko Ivanovic's return to Baskonia.

Game Center: Fener-Monaco and Dusko's return to Baskonia highlight tonight's slate

## Thursday, December 12

### [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 66-99 AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-as-monaco/E2024/127/)

Monaco grabbed a big road win at the top of the standings by thrashing Fenerbahce. The two teams are now level at 10-5 in a share of second place. Monaco led by 5 at the break before racing to an 18-point lead at the end of the third and the visitors weren’t troubled after that. Monaco’s backcourt stars all stepped up with Mike James pairing 21 points with 5 assists and Elie Okobo scoring 19. Nigel Hayes-Davis paced Fenerbahce with 28 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">👑 Impériale des deux côtés du terrain, la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> ramène la win du parquet du Fener ! ❤️‍🔥😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/QnuNGi5qEV">pic.twitter.com/QnuNGi5qEV</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1867294893678219384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [ALBA Berlin 90-91 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/alba-berlin-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2024/128/)

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Kraj utakmice u Berlinu!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/gmRatNnekR">pic.twitter.com/gmRatNnekR</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1867304667362807846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2024/129/)

Two teams aiming for a change in direction meet as inconsistent Baskonia (6-8) welcomes last-placed Virtus (2-12). New Virtus coach Dusko Ivanovic will take charge for the first time on familiar territory against his former club, which has been strong in Vitoria with a 5-2 home record. The Italian team’s latest loss, at home to Zvezda on Friday, came despite another good game from forward [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/), who's averaged 22.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over the last three games. Baskonia also suffered defeat last time out, with a big double-double from [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) (25 points, 11 boards) not enough to overcome Bayern in Munich. The power of Moneke and [Donta Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/donta-hall/011196/) against Clyburn and [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) could be key in what’s likely to be a physical battle.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 🤝<br><br>Tomorrow Dusko returns to Buesa, this time as coach of <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirtusSegafredo</a> 🧢<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/aO3zAv7EN8">pic.twitter.com/aO3zAv7EN8</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1866815196502884616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Real Madrid vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/real-madrid-zalgiris-kaunas/E2024/131/)

Struggling Real (6-8) faces a stern test with a visit from Zalgiris (8-6). A pair of star guards will attempt to outdo each other, with the smooth distribution of [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (7.9 assists per game) going against the scoring skills of [Lonnie Walker ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/)(16.3 points per night on 44.3% three-point shooting), who was reportedly close to joining Real before signing on with Zalgiris. The Spanish team has struggled for production off the bench, so the visitors will have to be ready to compete for the full 40 minutes through the energy of guard [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/), the only Zalgiris player to have started every game. Denying long-range looks to [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) will also be key for a Zalgiris defense that has allowed fewer points than any other team (74.9 per game).

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🏀 ¡HOY JUGAMOS CONTRA <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bczalgiris</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/g7HznWekDS">pic.twitter.com/g7HznWekDS</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1867113407465365813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Bayern Munich vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:45 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-bayern-munich-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2024/130/)

High-flying Bayern (9-5) will look to make it eight home wins out of eight with a visit from a Maccabi team (4-10) that has won just once on the road all season. The visiting team will have to find an answer for [Devin Booker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devin-booker/007056/), who has been unstoppable recently and averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists over last week’s two games, so the likes of [Levi Randolph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/levi-randolph/013382/) (11.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game) will need to step up for the visiting team. Maccabi also has to deal with the backcourt threat of league-leading scorer [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) (20.4 points per game) and can try to control the game through pass master [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/), who tops the EuroLeague in assists with 8.6 per night.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This series continues for sure - no more tickets for tonight, we&#39;re sold out once again at the <a href="https://twitter.com/SAPGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAPGarden</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAYMTA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAYMTA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/gLpts5lSZx">pic.twitter.com/gLpts5lSZx</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1867200231156208022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Friday, December 13

### [Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/anadolu-efes-istanbul-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2024/132/)

Reigning champ Panathinaikos (8-6) will continue its quest for consistency with a crunch clash against Coach Ergin Ataman and forward [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/)’s former club, Efes (7-7). Both teams lost last time out, with the Greens falling at Partizan while Efes was stifled by Zalgiris. The Greens will try to feed off the energy of center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/), who also showed his distribution skills by dishing a personal best 5 assists in the loss at Partizan, so the Turkish team’s big man [Derek Willis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/derek-willis/009664/) will need to show the rebounding power that saw him grab 8 boards in Kaunas last time out. [Elijah Bryant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/elijah-bryant/009846/) (13 points per game) has been Efes’s go-to guard during the injury absence of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/), and he needs a big performance against an extremely deep Panathinaikos backcourt.

### [FC Barcelona vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-barcelona-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2024/134/)

Rejuvenated by last week’s much-needed comeback victory at Maccabi, Barcelona (8-6) will try to overcome direct rival and red-hot Milan (8-6) in a key battle between two of the four teams currently tied for sixth place. Former Barca hero [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who leads the league in PIR with 23.7 per game, will play a central role on his return to Palau Blaugrana, and the host will try to counter him with the scoring skills of [Jabari Parker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jabari-parker/012745/), who paired 18 points and 9 rebounds in the win at Maccabi. That game also saw a return to form by former Milan shooter [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/), netting 18 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting, who faces a long-range duel with Milan veteran [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/), who's averaged 7.7 points on 55.2% three-point shooting.

### [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-olympiacos-piraeus/E2024/133/)

A meeting of two clubs with a long-standing close relationship will be far from friendly as Zvezda (7-7) welcomes Olympiacos (9-5). The Greek giant ended the double-round week by losing its 100% home record against Paris, whereas Zvezda boosted its playoffs challenge with a strong win at Virtus. Former Olympiacos sniper [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/) was instrumental to that success with 26 points, but [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) – shining on loan for Zvezda from Olympiacos – cannot suit up for this game. Olympiacos will look to tighten up defensively after allowing 96 points in the loss to Paris, while also hoping that sharpshooter [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) continues to threaten from long-range after netting multiple triples in nine straight games. The visitors will also hope to gain extra possessions through [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who tops the league with 3.9 offensive rebounds per game.

### [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Paris Basketball (21:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-paris-basketball/E2024/135/)

A French derby will see dangerous ASVEL (5-9) receive a visit from league-leading Paris (11-3). Two of this season’s top performers will go head to head in a mouthwatering backcourt duel as [Theo Maledon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theo-maledon/007027/) (18.4 points per game) goes up against [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) (18.6 points, 7.9 assists). ASVEL will have confidence after winning three in a row at home, and a key could be whether the home team has success from long-range: ASVEL ranks fifth in the league for three-point conversion (38.1%, led by veteran [David Lighty](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-lighty/003526/) with 48.5% of triples made), but Paris has the competition’s third-best perimeter defense (31% of three-pointers allowed). ASVEL will look to slow down the visitors through the excellent defense of [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/paris-lee/011225/) against Shorts, so [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/maodo-lo/007032/) could also have a key role in keeping the Paris attack rolling.

Five games take place this Thursday night, then four tomorrow

Game Center: Halftime leads for Zalgiris, Maccabi; road wins for Monaco, Partizan

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Paris Basketball (2024-12-13T20:00:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-12-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-12-13T19:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-12-13T17:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Zalgiris Kaunas (2024-12-12T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2024-12-12T19:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2024-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-12-12T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v AS Monaco (2024-12-12T17:45:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade celebrated its fifth successive win and improved to 7-8 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after eking out a dramatic 90-91 win at ALBA Berlin

Partizan edges ALBA, 90-91, in dramatic finish 

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade celebrated its fifth successive win and improved to 7-8 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after eking out a dramatic 90-91 win at ALBA Berlin, as Carlik Jones produced another masterclass individual performance.

The playmaker led the visiting team’s charge with a game-high 24 points, 6 assists and 5 boards, including a clutch mid-range jumper with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. Big man Tyrique Jones chipped in with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Sterling Brown added 18 points against his former club. At the other end, David McCormack paced ALBA on 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Matteo Spagnolo and Tim Schneider netted 13 points apiece.

With over 5,000 loud visiting fans thronging the Uber Arena, Partizan felt like the home team throughout and prevailed in a tense finish, as the Serbian side bounced back from an 88-84 deficit in the home straight to force the final twist.

Game Videos

A see-saw first half saw the lead change hands time and again before Partizan took a 46-51 advantage into the locker room at the interval, with Tyrique Joes pouring 16 points through the opening two quarters as he dominated the paint at both ends of the court.

Carlik Jones pulled all the strings on offense and Duane Washington enjoyed a flawless second quarter, nailing 13 points in the opening half as the trio fired on all cylinders for Partizan. At the other end, Matt Thomas scored 11 points and Spagnolo added 7 for ALBA, with both sides shooting in fits and starts from long range.

Game News

Partizan seemed to be coasting after Brown rifled in 13 points in the third quarter and gave Partizan a 61-72 lead late in the period, but ALBA came storming back in the fourth and turned the matchup on its head down the stretch.

With Partizan’s offense coming to a screeching halt in the last few minutes, the home team engineered an 88-84 lead with a 13-2 run before Marinkovic nailed a 3-pointer for Partizan while Carlik Jones sank a pair of free throws followed by the audacious mid-range jumper.

With Partizan 89-91 ahead, McCormack drew a foul but missed the first free throw before inadvertently scoring with the second. Incredibly, Brandon Davies missed both shots from the foul line at the other end with 0.7 seconds left and gave ALBA one last chance to stun Partizan, but the home team’s desperate sideout from one end of the floor to the other fell short.  

The Serbian team stretched its winning streak to five games

AS Monaco grabbed a big road win at the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings by thrashing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 69-99

Monaco cruises past Fenerbahce, 69-99

AS Monaco grabbed a big road win at the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings by thrashing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 69-99. The two teams are now level at 10-5 in a share of second place, with the Turkish team having lost three of its last four games.

There was little between the teams in the first half, which finished with Monaco holding a 38-43 lead. The visitors raced to an 18-point lead at the end of the third and weren’t troubled after that. Monaco’s backcourt stars all stepped up, with Mike James pairing 21 points with 5 assists, Elie Okobo scoring 19 and Jordan Loyd contributing 12, while big man Donatas Motiejunas provided 9 points and 11 rebounds. Nigel Hayes-Davis paced Fenerbahce with 28 points, Wade Baldwin added 13 and Sertac Sanli scored 10.

Loyd and Motiejunas gave Monaco a fast start inside, but the inevitable Hayes-Davis scored 5 points in a row and Sanli added a triple for an 8-4 lead. Motiejunas stopped the 8-0 run and Terry Tarpey netted from deep, before Hayes-Davis and Georgios Papagiannis traded inside scores for an 11-11 tie. Vitto Brown’s three-pointer was answered by floaters from Baldwin and Hayes-Davis, and close-range finishes from Jaron Blossomgame and Khem Birch ended the first quarter at 19-17. 

Marko Guduric opened the second quarter with a mid-range jumper before Blossomgame answered from deep. Sanli and James netted jumpers, but 4 fast points from Baldwin kept Fenerbahce ahead, 27-22. Brown’s three-point play and Tarpey’s transition bucket tied it up, and Loyd’s triple completed an 0-8 run for a 27-30 lead. Baldwin and James traded layups before free throws sent Monaco up 29-35. Sanli hit another triple, Blossomgame and Okobo netted inside, and Tarik Biberovic struck a triple on the halftime buzzer to make it 38-43.

Loyd’s triple opened the second half scoring, and James’s free throws briefly made it a double-digit game, 38-48. Nicolo Melli’s mid-range strike and Birch’s putback boosted Fenerbahce, but soon James hit a triple and Papagiannis produced two dunks to make it 46-61. Brown added a mid-range strike to complete a 0-9 run, which was snapped by Hayes-Davis and Sanli. But Okobo kept pushing Monaco, netting a triple on the third quarter buzzer to make it 54-72.

Okobo stayed hot with an inside score to start the final period, before Hayes-Davis gave Fenerbahce hope with 5 fast points. Matthew Strazel answered with a three-point play, before Biberovic and Hayes-Davis pulled it back to 63-79 with 7 minutes left. James hit a triple and Blossomgame added a tip-in to make it 63-84, removing any doubt over the outcome long before the final buzzer. James hit another deep strike, Blossomgame exploded a putback slam and Monaco completed a perfect night as Mam Jaiteh returned from injury to help complete the rout.

Vassilis Spanoulis’s team delivered a solid performance to win easily in Istanbul.

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 15 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague pregame quotes hub: Round 15

## Thursday, December 12

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. AS Monaco (18:45 CET)

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"We are facing one of the most talented teams in the EuroLeague. Obviously their guard play is great. We understand that we can not stop their guards, so we have to make it as difficult as possible for them. We need to make them work for everything, without forgetting the other players who also do a great job, especially in rebounding and giving them extra possessions."

**Nicolo Melli, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward**

"It is going to be a tough game. We are playing at home and we have to win at home. We have to bounce back after the last home game. Monaco is coming after a loss in their domestic league and they just changed their coach. So, they will be super-motivated. It is not going to be an easy game, they are very talented."

**Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco head coach**

"We're playing against one of the best teams in the EuroLeague, coached by a very good coach, Saras, so we need to be focused and apply our style of play... We have to be prepared for a tough challenge. Our team plays very well together, we can't change everything in 10 days, it's impossible, but the guys are making incredible efforts. We'll proceed step by step, improving each time. Alpha Diallo? Yes, it's a big loss for us. Everyone knows Alpha's important role on both sides of the floor, we hope he'll be back as soon as possible, but during this period everyone has to do their utmost to compensate for his absence."

**Georgios Papagiannis, AS Monaco center**

"I'm delighted to be back in Istanbul against my old team. We're expecting a tough game. Fener run a lot and get the rebounds. We'll have to be very vigilant on our defensive rebounds in transition, because Fener moves fast. We're passing the ball better and better, which is very positive, now it's up to us to be stronger defensively and find easy baskets."

### ALBA Berlin vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (19:00 CET)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach** 

"Partizan is a dangerous opponent for us, and after problems in the beginning they're playing really well at the moment. Four EuroLeague wins in a row after six defeats in a row shows Partizan's strength. But it also shows us that a good streak can follow a difficult phase. But after all the injuries, we have to build up our rhythm step by step."

**Matteo Spagnolo, ALBA Berlin guard**

"We're expecting an intense and high-energy game on Thursday. We know that Partizan is a very good team that plays hard and always brings a lot of fans with it on the road. It will be very important for us to match the energy, control Partizan in offense and focus on our game."

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"ALBA is a team that plays a very specific style of basketball, consistently, under the same coach – everything about their game is clear. What’s particularly important is that they are adaptable and capable of playing both zone and combination defenses. Regarding their offense, it’s clear they have a lot of movement, and they are most dangerous on backdoor cuts, where they score a lot of easy points. Additionally, they rely on three-point shooting, and after each shot, they aggressively go for offensive rebounds. We have experience playing against them before, and we’ve talked to our players about it. We've prepared for this game thoroughly and will approach it with the utmost seriousness because this match is, of course, extremely important to us."

**Vanja Marinkovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard**

"I believe we are in a very good rhythm in the EuroLeague, and the game against Alba comes at the right time. A challenging game awaits us against a team that has been playing the same way for many years, and we will try to prepare in the best possible way."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna (20:30 CET)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"I am very happy to be in Bologna, it is a great team with great players. I believe in this team and I believe in these players, I think they have the right character and we are ready to fight. With Baskonia it will be a very special game, but we are professionals and we will go there to fight, we will not be conditioned by different situations."

**Ante Zizic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna center**

"Like every EuroLeague game, especially on the road, it will be tough and difficult. Baskonia is a good team but we want to give continuity to the game in Milan, playing 100 percent with energy and patience."

### Real Madrid vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We have to win at home. We have to try not to let any more games slip away from us at home, try to keep on winning and be prepared to be in a position to be among the best when that moment comes, but it is clear that we have to win. Tomorrow we play a game against a rival that is above us and I think we have a good opportunity to take a step forward and move up in the standings. Hopefully we can be serious for 40 minutes and we can beat a team like Zalgiris that is very strong in Europe and is playing very well."

**Andres Feliz, Real Madrid guard**

"Tomorrow we play a very important game because we want to continue to get into a rhythm and move up. It will be a tough game because Zalgiris is doing very well this year and is a very physical team. Our goal is to be good both on defense and offense, share the ball and play fast as we know how to do. We have to be tough from the start and set a very high physical level because that is what Zalgiris is going to demand from us. We are growing in defense and that is where we must be stronger because behind is where we win games. The level of the competition is very high, every game is very important and it would be very important for us to get back to winning ways at home in front of our fans."

**Andrea Trinchieri, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach**

"The schedule has no mercy. In one week, playing Partizan, Efes, Rytas and Real Madrid, it's a high mountain to climb. It's a great challenge and we want to embrace the challenge. Our goal is to compete and go to Madrid to show to ourselves that we belong and that we want to put together the best possible game. Dovydas \[Giedraitis\] will not play. We need to shuffle the roles in the team a little bit, but I expect my team to play with personality because when you play Real, you always play against the best players in Europe. You need to know how good they are, but you need to have personality to play against them."

(Dealing with the loss of Giedraitis): "Of course, we are going to miss him. The work that a team has to put in place in order to play is like a cake, and everybody has a slice of the cake. So, now we are missing a slice. We won't put someone else to fill this slice, so everybody should bring something to fill the gap."

(In response to a question about Facundo Campazzo): "Madrid is his house. He feels at home there, he takes the team on his shoulders, and he is playing with great creativity. He can do everything. He is a true point guard who can make passes... he has a passing ability that is unmatched. He can also score, and he is also very good at scoring clutch shots. One of the top three point guards in Europe."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (20:45 CET)

**Gordie Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"We need to stay on the defensive path we’ve been on since the second half against Baskonia. Maccabi has a lot of talent, but we want to control the game through our tempo again. I hope our amazing fans will once again act as a sixth man behind us and give us the energy we need."

**Devin Booker, FC Bayern Munich center**

"Maccabi presents some challenges for us, both inside and outside the paint. They are certainly better than their current position in the standings suggests. However, if we focus well on our game and defense again, things can go our way once more, and that's our goal."

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"Bayern is very impressive from the beginning of the season. They are a top offensive EuroLeague team. They play in a high-tempo game. They have bigs that can step outside and shot the ball well. It is one of the toughest games to handle if we are looking at the shape of the teams are in right now in the EuroLeague. We'll need to slow them down, be aggressive and control the boards."

**Marial Shayok, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard**

"I think it's a great opportunity for us to come in and see if we can get a great road win against a great team at home. We're looking forward to it, having come off two wins in a row. We're excited that things are coming together, and we'll see what we can do. We've got to continue to just grow, continue to build chemistry with one another. It feels good coming off two wins, so just using that momentum going into the next game. Being a part of this team and this group of guys, win or lose, we've done a good job of staying together no matter what the environment is. I'm just looking forward to continuing to grow as a player and as a team as we continue this season."

## Friday, December 13

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18:30 CET)

**Tomislav Mijatovic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"We are getting ready to play against the current EuroLeague champion at our home court, a team that has one of the most successful EuroLeague coaches. As their culture has a great system, which presents not only a great challenge for us, but it presents a super motivation for us, for our team and for our fans to present ourselves in the best possible way. We want our fans to support us for 40 minutes and all together to do our absolute best to finish the game with a victory at home."

**Rolands Smits, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward**

"Panathinaikos is a very physical and an experienced team. Last season’s EuroLeague champions... They are playing very good basketball with many talented players. So we need to be ready for the fight and I think we are ready, so we need to take care of all those players and I think everything will be good for us at the end of the game."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach**

"We will play a very important game. Efes, on their home court, they play with a lot of confidence. We must play good on defense. They have very big offensive players on the perimeter."

**Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard**

"Undoubtedly, this will be a very difficult game. We all know that in our recent matches, we haven't achieved the results we wanted. However, we need to enter the court fully focused, with defense as our primary weapon. In our latest games, we've conceded 85 and 90 points, and our away record has been poor—not just in Europe but also in Greece. When playing away, we lack focus and end up fighting for the game in the final possessions. We need to bring energy, start the game well, and avoid falling behind. Focus, defense, and more defense!"

### FC Barcelona vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (20:30 CET)

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"We know the kind of player Niko \[Nikola Mirotic\] is, who made important history in this club recently. We know he is one of the best players in the EuroLeague, but also know that if we only take care of Mirotic, we will have a big problem because Milan has a great roster. It is obvious that stat-wise, he is one of their important players, as always, in the upper part of all stats standings even when he is playing fewer minutes, and even in the '5' spot along with \[Zach\] LeDay. Milan has very important player in a good moment and even when they lose their last domestic game, they won six of its last seven EuroLeague games. They play really well on offense, with great three-point shooting percentage, which goes to the foul line a lot. Milan is a very dangerous opponent right now and I am sure it arrives in its best moment." 

**Juan Nunez, FC Barcelona guard**

"We had a negative streak and have started to win games. I think it is important to play together, to play well, as a team and keep building. We are still in December. All teams in Europe have ups and downs, with so many games in such few days. Therefore, it is important to build not just to win the game, but to improve day by day as a team, play as a team. This is what we focus on, and that should help keep winning games. The EuroLeague is a very demanding competition in which play a lot of games and cannot relax. I am sure that things will be different in February or March. We have to keep calm, keep playing as a team and win games. I am feeling more comfortable as time goes by. I think I can be the point guard of a team like Barca, which demands the responsibility to run the team when you are on the court. In general, I have to play at a EuroLeague level every day: it is an important challenge which I want to achieve."

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We are facing a very high level opponent, so it is obviously a very difficult game. For us, the defensive transition phase and controlling rebounds against their big men and physically imposing lineups, will be very important. Offensively, we need to have good ball circulation against a team that is used to generate steals and to use them to fuel their fast breaks. As always, we are happy to meet Kevin Punter, because he is a player of whom we have great memories and of whom we are very fond of."

**Nikola Mirotic, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan forward**

"For me personally, it will a special game and a special night. I'm coming back to a place I consider home for the first time after more than 500 days, so I anticipate a night full of emotions. At the same time, we have an important game and we'll try to win against an obviously great and very competitive team."

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)

**Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach**

"Olympiacos is built to go to the Final Four and win the EuroLeague. We know they have quality, but we want to fight for victory in front of our fans. We have a tough mission ahead of us, but I expect the players to fight for every ball."

**Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade forward**

"We are playing against one of the best teams in the EuroLeague right now, which has problems with injured players, but has a large enough roster to compensate for that. It will be a physically demanding game, they don't play so much in transition, but they are one of the best teams in terms of position. We need to stop a lot of players, it's not just \[Sasha\] Vezenkov. He is one of the best players in the league, but there are also \[Evan\] Fournier, \[Thomas\] Walkup, and \[Nikola\] Milutinov who will certainly have a big role."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"Some players must do things on the court that usually they don’t have to do. They must overcome themselves like they did at the end of the game against Paris. Of course, no team is able to play at that high tempo for 40 minutes. We have to find a way to fulfill the absences at the '5' position, with unusual fives on offense and defense. I am optimistic that we will play well. It is going to be a tough game, but we will fight hard for the win."

**Alec Peters, Olympiacos Piraeus forward**

"It is going to take special effort from everybody to get the win. Based on the circumstances in our team right now, it takes everybody stepping up. We have to find a way to start winning games on the road. Red Star is a good team, but the truth is that there are no bad teams in the EuroLeague. Everywhere we play is tough; the level is really high."

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Paris Basketball (21:00 CET)

\--

Pregame quotes hub: 'With Baskonia, it will be a very special game'

Here, you can find all the latest injury news surrounding all registered players in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague injury report: Round 15

Follow all the latest injury information for registered players in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, as reported by the clubs, and get your [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home?_ga=2.101462721.1199459303.1696273873-903329349.1669636775) teams up to date!

### ALBA Berlin

Gabriele Procida is questionable, while Martin Hermannsson, Will McDowell-White, and Justin Bean are all ruled out for ALBA's game against Partizan on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Gabriele Procida did not play in the German League last weekend.
- Martin Hermannsson did not play in Round 14 due to rest.
- [Justin Bean](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/justin-bean-out-three-months-with-broken-wrist/) is out until early February after breaking his wrist.
- Will McDowell-White has been sidelined since Round 8.
- Louis Olinde has not played since Round 8.

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Shane Larkin is available, as are the rest of Efes's players, for the team's game against Panathinaikos on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/shane-larkin-out-for-3-4-weeks-with-ankle-sprain/), who has been out since spraining his right ankle in Round 5, did not feature against Zalgiris in Round 14.
- Dogus Ozdemiroglu last played in Round 10.

### AS Monaco

Mam Jaiteh and Furkan Korkmaz are both game-time decisions, having returned to training and made the trip to Istanbul, while Nick Calathes and Alpha Diallo are both ruled out for Monaco's game at Fenerbahce on Thursday, the club has returned.

- [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-basket-loses-alpha-diallo-to-knee-injury/) is out for at least three weeks with a knee injury.
- Mam Jaiteh, who is recovering from a knee injury, last played in Round 7.
- Furkan Korkmaz, dealing with a fractured coccyx, last played in Round 8.
- [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nick-calathes-out-3-4-weeks-with-knee-injury/) remains sidelined after a knee injury he suffered before Round 1.

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Baskonia has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Virtus on Thursday.

- Ognjen Jaramaz last played in Round 12, but he did return to action in the Spanish League last weekend.
- [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot-sidelined-with-calf-injury/), who last played in Round 11, is dealing with a calf injury, but no timetable has been set for his return.

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

John Brown and Joel Bolomboy are ruled out, and Milos Teodosic is questionable for Crvena Zvezda's game against Olympiacos on Friday, the club has confirmed. Filip Petrusev cannot play in Round 15 due to a clause in his loan deal from Olympiacos.

- [John Brown signed for Crvena Zvezda on Monday](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-signs-defensive-ace-john-brown/), but he has not yet been registered.
- Nemanja Nedovic last played in Round 11, but he did return to action in the ABA League on Monday.
- Uros Plavsic last played in Round 12, but he did return to action in the ABA League on Monday.
- [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/joel-bolomboy-hyperextends-knee-avoids-acl-tear/) hyperextended his knee in Crvena Zvezda's ABA League game at Buducnost and will undergo conservative treatment. The center, who last played in Round 4, is expected to be out early December.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Josh Nebo is Milan's only absentee for its game at Barcelona on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Leandro Bolmaro has not played since Round 10 due to an injury.
- Stefano Tonut (back) last played in Round 11.
- [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/josh-nebo-to-be-reevaluated-in-3-4-weeks/) (arm) has not played since Round 7 and will be reevaluated in early December.

### FC Barcelona

Dario Brizuela is questionable, while Raul Neto, Chimezie Metu and Nico Laprovittola are ruled out for Barcelona's game against Milan on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Dario Brizuela last played in Round 12.
- [New signing Raul Neto](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-brings-in-ex-nba-guard-raul-neto/) made his debut in Round 12, but he is out for 2-3 weeks with a groin injury.
- [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-loses-chimezie-metu-for-6-8-weeks/) is out until early January with a sprained knee.
- [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) is ruled out for the season due to an ACL and meniscus injury.

### FC Bayern Munich

Shabazz Napier will be a game-time decision, while Elias Harris and Vladimir Lucic are both ruled out for Bayern's game against Maccabi on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Shabazz Napier did not play in the German League last weekend.
- Ivan Kharchenkov last played in Round 12, but he is available for Round 15.
- Bayern has been without Vladimir Lucic (muscle bruise) since Round 2.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Arturs Zagars, Dyshawn Pierre, Devon Hall and Scottie Wilbekin are all ruled out for Fenerbahce's game against Monaco on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/arturs-zagars-fenerbahce-beko-foot-injury/) suffered a foot injury ahead of Round 15.
- [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-dyshawn-pierre-sidelined-by-calf-injury/) suffered a calf injury in Round 12.
- [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/devon-hall-to-undergo-surgery-on-hand-injury/) is out after suffering a fracture in his left hand's metacarpal bone in Round 9.
- [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/) tore his ACL in Round 1 and is out with a long-term injury.

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

ASVEL has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Paris on Friday.

- [Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/edwin-jackson-to-miss-six-weeks-with-hamstring-injury/) is sidelined until late December with a hamstring injury.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Maccabi has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Bayern on Thursday.

- Roman Sorkin will not travel to Munich after the death of his stepfather.
- Jasiel Rivero is out for 4-6 weeks with a torn hamstring.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

Moustapha Fall, Keenan Evans and Moses Wright are all ruled out for Olympiacos's game at Crvena Zvezda on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- [Nathan Mensah joined Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-bc-signs-nathan-mensah/) on Wednesday, but he has not yet been registered.
- Moustapha Fall did not play in Round 13 due to an adductor strain.
- [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/moses-wright-out-for-the-season-with-health-issue/) is out for the season with a health issue.
- [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-star-keenan-evans-out-long-term-after-knee-surgery/) remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery. He has not yet been registered for the competition.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Marius Grigonis (back surgery) and Kendrick Nunn (suspension) are ruled out for Panathinaikos's game at Efes on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- [Kendrick Nunn has been handed a one-game ban](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/news/latest-disciplinary-decisions-euroleague-rounds-13-14/).
- Omer Yurtseven (illness) did not play in Round 14
- Marius Grigonis (lower back) has not played since Round 4.
- Kostas Antetokounmpo (knee injury) last played in Round 6.

### Paris Basketball

Paris has not yet sent an injury report for its game at ASVEL on Friday.

- Daulton Hommes has not played so far this season.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Partizan has not yet sent an injury report for its game at ALBA on Thursday.

- Iffe Lundberg (foot) last played in Round 12.
- Aleksej Pokusevski last played in Round 12.
- Mario Nakic (ankle) has not played since Round 7.

### Real Madrid

Real Madrid has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Zalgiris on Thursday.

- X

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Virtus has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Baskonia on Thursday.

- [New head coach Dusko Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/virtus-appoints-dusko-ivanovic-as-head-coach/) is eligible to be on the bench for his first game in charge.

### Zalgiris Kaunas

Dovydas Giedraitis is ruled out for Zalgiris's game at Real Madrid on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

Stay up to date with the latest information provided by the EuroLeague clubs

Injury report, Round 15: Positive news for Monaco, Napier a game-time decision

In his first game as Virtus Bologna head coach, Dusko Ivanovic returns to Baskonia, where he coached 273 EuroLeague games across four spells. This is the first time he will be a visiting head coach at Buesa Arena.

A special night awaits for Dusko Ivanovic at Buesa Arena

Some things go together perfectly in life. There’s fish and chips, bread and butter, and also [Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/) and [Dusko Ivanovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/ivanovic-dusko/?season=E2024).

All Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans know the history that Dusko has with the Spanish side, but Thursday night (20:00 CET) will see the legendary head coach take on his former team at Buesa Arena for the first time as Virtus Segafredo Bologna comes to town.

Ivanovic was appointed as Virtus’s replacement for [Luca Banchi ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/luca-banchi-resigns-as-virtus-bologna-head-coach/)last Thursday, but he had to watch on from a courtside seat as interim head coach Nenad Jakovljevic took charge for [the team’s home loss to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/crvena-zvezda-downs-virtus-on-the-road-87-94/), which saw the Bologna-based outfit drop to a 2-12 record. With this mark, Virtus matched its worst-ever start to a EuroLeague campaign, having gone 2-14 in 2008-09… when it played just 14 games that season.

There are some familiar faces on the Virtus roster for Dusko, who had [Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) and [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/achille-polonara/002084/) with him at Baskonia as they won the Spanish League title in 2019-20. Just last season, the Montenegrin was on the Baskonia sideline when it eliminated Shengelia and Polonara’s Virtus from the postseason in the Play-In Showdown. Conversely, going all the way back to 2001, Ivanovic was the Baskonia head coach as it lost 3-2 to the Manu Ginobili-led Virtus 3-2 in the EuroLeague Finals.

Curiously enough, Ivanovic has been Baskonia coach in 273 EuroLeague games across four spells, achieving a 151-122 record with the team, but in his other 127 games in the competition, he has never faced them at Buesa Arena. In Europe’s premier club competition, Dusko spent three years with [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/), one season with [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), four games with [Khimki Moscow Region](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/khimki-moscow-region/khi/), just over a season with [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), yet he has never had to come up against *his* people in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">B/W jersey (𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒑) ready to fight together 🧢🏀 <a href="https://t.co/nmosurSldz">pic.twitter.com/nmosurSldz</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1867200460966302200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The only two times that he has faced Baskonia as a head coach in the EuroLeague came in the 2006 third-place game in Prague, Czech Republic, when his Barcelona side lost to their domestic rival, and in Round 30 of the 2022-23 season with Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, a game his squad won.

"I am very happy to be in Bologna, it is a great team with great players,” said Ivanovic in his first comments as Virtus boss. “I believe in this team and I believe in these players, I think they have the right character and we are ready to fight. As fate would have it, my first game is against Baskonia and my last game last year was against Virtus – it is a special game for me.

“I believe in the guys and I think we can improve. The focus of the early days? We have to be a team and play together, believe in it. Virtus has always played well, but lost so many games by a few points. A little bit of bad luck, but this is basketball and that can change and help the players also mentally to win these games. Toko \[Shengelia\] and Achille \[Polonara\]? We won a Spanish championship together; they are good players and good people. They haven't changed, they have good character and they want to win.”

The Baskonia fans will welcome Dusko back with welcome arms, but there is no time for sentiment. Virtus urgently needs a win to kickstart its EuroLeague season, and with 400 EuroLeague games under his belt, Ivanovic is well prepared to guide the Italian side through tricky waters, starting at a place he knows very well.

The Montenegrin play-caller takes on Baskonia in his first game on the Virtus bench

Following the success of Andrea Trinchieri's "My Five Signature Players", the second episode of the series features Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach Saras Jasikevicius.

Saras Jasikevicius: My Five Signature Players

Following the success of [Andrea Trinchieri's "My Five Signature Players"](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/andrea-trinchieri-my-five-signature-euroleague-players/), the second episode of the series features [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) head coach [Saras Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024).

Now in his 10th season as a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague play-caller, with Jasikevicius having led [Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) from 2016 to 2020, [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) from 2020-23, and Fenerbahce from 2023 to present day, the 48-year-old has coached some incredible players. In this episode, five players are selected that have had a big impact on Saras's coaching career to date.

Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo sat down with the Fenerbahce head coach to reflect on some players who have had a big impact on his coaching career

Olympiacos BC has announced the signing of Nathan Mensah on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season, which includes an option for the 2025-26 campaign.

Olympiacos signs Nathan Mensah

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) has announced the signing of Nathan Mensah on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season, which includes an option for the 2025-26 campaign.

Mensah (2.08 meters, 26 years old) spent the first part of this season playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League, averaging 5.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 12 games. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">✍️🏽 Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Νέιθαν Μενσά.<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://t.co/KtOQkzw9Mm">https://t.co/KtOQkzw9Mm</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1866871191689892296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He has one season of NBA experience under his belt, too, having suited up 25 times for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023-24 season, posting 1.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per night.

Following the news that [Moses Wright will miss the rest of the season due to a health issue](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/moses-wright-out-for-the-season-with-health-issue/), Mensah's arrival gives Olympiacos more depth at center. In his second season as a professional, Mensah is coming to play in Europe for the first time.

More Olympiacos News

The center joins the Reds after the news that Moses Wright is out for the season

LDLC ASVEL (5-9) and Paris Basketball (11-3) face off in Round 15's Rivalry Series game, but which team do the Euroleague.net experts – Geoff Gillingham, Javier Gancedo, Igor Petrinovic and Frankie Sachs – think will come out on top?

Rivalry Series: Predicting the winner of ASVEL vs. Paris

[Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) (11-3) has been the talk of the continent with its amazing performances in its debut Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, yet [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) (5-9) will be determined to earn bragging rights in this Rivalry Series clash.

With this being the first-ever French matchup in the EuroLeague this century, with it worth remembering that AS Monaco resides in the principality of Monaco, which team do the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) experts believe will get the win?

[Geoff Gillingham](https://bsky.app/profile/geoffgillingham.bsky.social), [Igor Petrinovic](https://x.com/IgorPetrinovic), [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) and [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto) have all predicted their winner in this Rivalry Series matchup.

**Geoff:** When I was listening to [EuroLeague & Friends this week](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmMh4X0ihEo), Asta Zukaite made a point that I wish I had seen earlier. So, big props to her. She compared the Zalgiris team that won the FIBA Saporta Cup and the EuroLeague in back-to-back years in 1998 and 1999 to this current Paris team, which obviously lifted the EuroCup last season. She also compared Tyus Edney to TJ Shorts. Another brilliant comparison. Anyway, I really think it's written in the stars for Paris this year.

<center><div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="22969950" data-share-method="host" data-aspect-ratio="1.50235" data-width="100%"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/ted-lasso-afc-richmond-believe-gif-22969950"&gt;Ted Lasso Afc Richmond GIF</a>from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/ted+lasso-gifs"&gt;Ted Lasso GIFs</a></div> <script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

I'm not sure if that means ending the campaign by hoisting the EuroLeague trophy, but either way, this season has already been special for the EuroLeague newcomers. Shorts is continuing to play at an MVP level, Nadir Hifi is regularly showing his incredible skill and quality, and there are several players – Tyson Ward, Mikael Jantunen and Collin Malcolm to name just three – who are winning players. As much as I have loved watching Theo Maledon this year, I think Tiago Splitter's squad keeps on charging in Lyon.

Geoff’s prediction: **Paris to win by 8, Hifi to score 20+.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hottest team in the league and it&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/tiagosplitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tiagosplitter</a>&#39;s first ever season as a head coach👏<br><br>Let&#39;s hear it from him! <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/o2FV0onX5J">pic.twitter.com/o2FV0onX5J</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1866467915031286197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<center><div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="24350017" data-share-method="host" data-aspect-ratio="2.35294" data-width="100%"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/step-brothers-i-get-it-brennan-gif-24350017"&gt;Step Brothers I Get It GIF</a>from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/step+brothers-gifs"&gt;Step Brothers GIFs</a></div> <script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Paris is red hot. Historically hot. It has six more wins than ASVEL and is 14 places higher in the standings. So this is a slam dunk, right?

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<center> <div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="17476474" data-share-method="host" data-aspect-ratio="1.78771" data-width="100%"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/not-so-fast-d-structs-dinotrux-slow-down-get-back-here-gif-17476474"&gt;Not So Fast D Structs GIF</a>from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/not+so+fast-gifs"&gt;Not So Fast GIFs</a></div> <script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

This game will be the first of two meetings between these teams in nine days, with the second coming on December 22 in the French League. ASVEL will host both games. Do I think Paris will win both? Nope. These teams are neck and neck in the French League. What’s more, Paris’s speed and style of play that has taken the EuroLeague by storm is not something ASVEL is unaccustomed to seeing. And ASVEL has won three in a row at home, beating Crvena Zvezda, Anadolu Efes and Real Madrid in order. ASVEL is deep, athletic and eager to bask in some of the glory that French basketball is seeing right now thanks to Paris and AS Monaco.

Frankie’s prediction: **ASVEL celebrates a narrow and exciting victory.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">BIG WEEK AHEAD ! 🔜<br><br>Après la belle victoire d&#39;hier face à Limoges, on se retrouve ce vendredi à l&#39;Astroballe pour un choc face au <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> en Euroleague ! <br><br>Rendez-vous immanquable ⤵️<br>🎟 <a href="https://t.co/CkSxoBKYbA">https://t.co/CkSxoBKYbA</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/1nfshsehUz">pic.twitter.com/1nfshsehUz</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1866067807223304355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**Igor:** It's the first all-French derby in the EuroLeague, and for me these are two of the most fun teams to watch this season. Paris is simply fascinating, with its pace and speed and led by TJ Shorts, the November MVP, running the show. That team has been winning over basketball fans from all over. On the other side, ASVEL is led by the 23-year-old Theo Maledon who has scored at least 23 points in five of his last six games, and has also dished at least seven assists in half of those contests. Then, there is also a fresh rivalry between these two teams, stemming from their French League clashes last spring, and both teams are also guided by young head coaches who are ready to think outside of the box. ASVEL's record is 5-9 but is 5-2 on its home floor, while Paris enters the contest on a 10-game winning streak. And I'm backing Paris to make it 11 in a row.

Igor's prediction: **Paris wins, both teams score at least 90 points.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LES DEUX MAINS ENTIÈRES ON VA FAIRE COMMENT MAINTENANT ? <a href="https://t.co/9FEPApYGGN">pic.twitter.com/9FEPApYGGN</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1865146485618188476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**Javi:** Paris enters this game on an amazing 10-game winning streak that should come to an end at the Astroballe. ASVEL simply has a complete package to use against Paris's strengths, starting by a star backcourt duo featuring Theo Maledon and Nando De Colo. Paris Lee has the experience and defensive skills to use against November MVP TJ Shorts. Andre Roberson has given ASVEL versatility and physicality, and the hosts rely on Joffrey Lauvergne and Neal Sako to make a difference in the paint. Paris is on a roll, playing unconventional basketball and being completely unpredictable, other than Shorts running the whole show. Unlike most opponents, ASVEL has played Paris before and knows what to expect, and it plays at home. ASVEL gets this one.

Javi's prediction: **ASVEL wins, limits Paris to a season-low points total.**

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Vous inquiétez pas l’entraînement s’est bien passé ! 🤣<br><br>On se revoit dans deux jours à l’Astroballe face à Paris 🔥⤵️<br>🎟️ <a href="https://t.co/CkSxoBLw18">https://t.co/CkSxoBLw18</a> <a href="https://t.co/v5xhg4TD9G">pic.twitter.com/v5xhg4TD9G</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1866888791296008237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For the first time in the modern EuroLeague era, two French teams will face off at 21:00 CET on Friday

Two new additions and a switch on the top two spots highlight the second edition of the 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP Ladder by Eurohoops.

EuroLeague 2024-25 MVP Ladder by Eurohoops Vol. 2

Two new additions and a switch on the top two spots highlight the second edition of the 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP Ladder by Eurohoops.

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) guard [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) forward [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) had to leave their place for new entrants – [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) forward [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) and [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) forward [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/) – for different reasons each. 

Punter had some ups and downs for Barcelona and didn’t retain the same level of quality in his game that earned him the title of EuroLeague MVP for November. Vezenkov was omitted in the final cut mainly due to missing two games, while all the other candidates played in all of their team's contests.

As is always the case with the MVP Ladder, individual numbers, leadership and impact on wins were the main factors in compiling the ranking.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1755415/euroleague-2024-25-mvp-ladder-by-eurohoops-vol-2/).

Which new players have been included in the MVP race?

Fenerbahce Beko has confirmed that Arturs Zagars has suffered a foot injury.

Arturs Zagars suffers foot injury

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) has announced that guard [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arturs-zagars/008104/) suffered an injury to his right foot during a Turkish League game last weekend.

Zagars's injury comes at a time when Fenerbahce is also without [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahces-dyshawn-pierre-sidelined-by-calf-injury/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/devon-hall-to-undergo-surgery-on-hand-injury/) and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), who is out for the season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Arturs Zagars’ın sağlık durumu hakkında bilgilendirme<br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/oe5kAdRkqt">https://t.co/oe5kAdRkqt</a> <a href="https://t.co/GomPyrckfw">pic.twitter.com/GomPyrckfw</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1866825983912779868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to a club statement, 'a first-stage ligament injury was detected and treatment has begun.' It is not stated how long Zagars will be out for.

This season, the 24-year-old point guard has made 11 appearances for Fenerbahce in his rookie Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign, starting five times. He has averaged 6.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 17:19 minutes, with his best scoring night coming in Round 12 when he netted 16 points against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, before dishing a career-best 6 assists in Round 13 against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

More Fenerbahce News

He is the fourth Fenerbahce player currently on the treatment table

As the EuroLeague continues the 25th anniversary celebrations, fans have the exciting opportunity to honor the greatest players in league history. The public voting for the All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines, is now open, marking a major milestone in this anniversary celebration.

Vote Now for the All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines!

- Vote [HERE](https://all25voting.euroleague.net) until January 8, 2025!

As the EuroLeague continues the 25th anniversary celebrations, fans have the exciting opportunity to honor the greatest players in league history. The public voting for the [All-25 EuroLeague Team, presented by Turkish Airlines](https://all25voting.euroleague.net), is now open, marking a major milestone in this anniversary celebration.

Building on the tradition of past All-Decade Team selections, this initiative aims to identify the 25 players who have left an indelible mark on the EuroLeague. Fans can choose from a pool of 100 legendary stars, each recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the league over the past quarter-century. The All-25 EuroLeague Team voting is also a fascinating journey through the history of the EuroLeague. In addition to voting, fans will have the opportunity to relive some of the competition's greatest moments through iconic player photos and video capsules showcasing their most memorable performances. Fans will have the chance to win big through a social media raffle! Five exclusive jerseys will be up for grabs, rewarding lucky fans who take part in the voting process.

### How to Vote

The voting platform introduces an innovative swipe-based voting system, allowing fans to engage daily by swiping right to select their favorite players or left to skip them. Fans can cast their votes every 24 hours and share their selections on social media, sparking conversations with fellow basketball fans.

### Selection Process

Fan votes will account for 10% of the final results. The remaining 90% will be determined by:

- Season MVPs and members of the 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 All-Decade Teams (40%)
- EuroLeague Championship-winning head coaches (40%)
- Members of the media (10%)

The top 25 vote-getters, after combining all ballots, will be named to the [All-25 EuroLeague Team](https://all25voting.euroleague.net).

Fans have until **12:00 CET (noon) on January 8, 2025**, to participate in shaping the All-25 EuroLeague Team. This celebration recognizes the iconic performances of players who have provided countless thrilling moments, solidifying the EuroLeague as one of basketball’s greatest stages.

Don’t miss this chance to commemorate 25 years of EuroLeague excellence. [Vote now](https://all25voting.euroleague.net)!

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