Name: Classic Game: Partizan vs. Crvena Zvezda
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Game Center: Round 15

## Friday, December 12

### [Dubai Basketball 89-88 FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/dubai-basketball-fc-bayern-munich/E2025/142/)

McKinley Wright's jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining saw Dubai come from behind to defeat Bayern 89-88, which maintains the UAE-based team's unbeaten record at Coca-Cola Arena. Dubai led for a total of just 42.5 seconds in the second half, having been down by as many as 12 early in the fourth quarter, but Wright led the fightback as Dubai improved to 7-8, while Bayern dropped to 5-10.

Wright was the game's leading scorer with 22 points. He was one of six Dubai players to score in double digits, as Awudu Abass had 15, Filip Petrusev and Mfiondu Kabengele netted 12 each, and Justin Anderson and Kosta Kondic poured in 11 apiece. For Bayern, Andi Obst paced the team with 21 points, followed by Johannes Voigtmann with 15, Spencer Dinwiddie with 14, and Oscar da Silva with 10.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MCKINLEY WRIGHT CALLED GAME!!! BIG DUB AT HOME!!! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/pbNtik6ZGm">pic.twitter.com/pbNtik6ZGm</a></p>&mdash; Dubai Basketball (@dubaibasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaibasket/status/1999543041736966260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [AS Monaco 86-92 Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2025/147/)

Fenerbahce repeated last season’s Championship Game triumph over Monaco, taking an 86-92 comeback win. After a slow start, Monaco pulled into an 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, and held a 46-38 interval advantage as Kevarrius Hayes scored 12 first-half points. An 11-0 third quarter run powered by Nikola Mirotic gave Monaco a 67-50 lead, but 10 fast points from Talen Horton-Tucker sent Fenerbahce ahead, 74-76. Monaco kept fighting but the visitors were relentless, scoring 32 fourth-quarter points to seal the win.

Fenerbahce was paced by Horton-Tucker with 24 points, while Khem Birch added 15 points and 7 rebounds, with Devon Hall netting 13, Wade Baldwin 12 and Bonzie Colson scoring 10. Mike James led Monaco with 20 points, Alpha Diallo added 18, Hayes scored 12 and Mirotic chipped in with 11. Monaco drops to 9-6 while Fenerbahce, which has played a game less, improves to 9-5.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Monaco’da muhteşem geri dönüş! 😎<br>Maç bizim! 💪<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | AS Monaco 🆚 Fenerbahçe Beko: 86-92<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Horton-Tucker 24, Birch 15, Hall 13, Baldwin 12, Colson 10, Melli 9, Biberovic 4, Bacot 3, Boston Jr. 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/AYc9uRriXc">pic.twitter.com/AYc9uRriXc</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1999581732803113427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Virtus Bologna 74-79 Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/virtus-bologna-hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/E2025/150/)

Hapoel stayed atop the regular season standings by edging Virtus 74-79 on the road in Round 15 on Friday. Hapoel leads the table with an 11-4 record. Virtus dropped to 7-8 and saw its four-game home winning streak come to an end.

Elijah Bryant led the winners with 22 points. Dan Oturu added 21 on 9 of 10 two-pointers and 10 rebounds, Vasilije Micic had 12 while Chris Jones got 10 for Hapoel. Matt Morgan led Virtus with 21 points off the bench. Derrick Alston Jr. and Momo Diouf each added 11 for the hosts, which tied it at 67-67 with under 4 minutes left. Jones, Oturu and Bryant combined for all points in a 0-8 run which allowed Hapoel to get the lead it needed to control the game until the final buzzer. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">דם, יזע, הפועל תל אביב ❤️<br><br>בשלישי היורוליג בישראל &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/55sriH8JTY">https://t.co/55sriH8JTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/v0fdCc9F9o">pic.twitter.com/v0fdCc9F9o</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1999593047709958197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade 79-76 Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2025/149/)

Partizan wiped out a 16-point third quarter deficit to celebrate a memorable 79-76 home win over Zvezda to take a 4-3 overall lead against its bitter city foes in this Rivalry Series clash. Partizan improved to 6-9 while Zvezda dropped to 9-6 following a titanic tussle inside Belgrade Arena, where the fans created an electrifying atmosphere.

The first quarter was littered with turnovers and wayward shots as both sides made a jittery start, but successive points from Jared Butler helped Zvezda engineer a 0-9 run to edge ahead 15-18 after the opening period. Zvezda stayed in the driving seat throughout the second quarter, leading by as many as 7 points as Partizan played catch-up and both sides produced some spectacular moments, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Having led 35-39 at halftime, Zvezda carved out a 39-49 advantage early in the third as Jordan Nwora caught fire and sank 10 successive points, roasting his markers from all over. It got even better for the visitors as they surged ahead 41-55 and closed out the third quarter 49-60 ahead. Galvanized by fervent home crowd support, Partizan slashed the deficit to 71-72 and forced Zvezda to call a timeout as the visiting team offense was ground to a halt. Moments later, Duane Washington hit a mid-range jumper as the hosts nosed ahead. The lead then changed hands several times before the unstoppable Washington sank a pair of free throws and Zvezda threw away its final possession.

Washington paced Partizan on a game-high 25 points, Isaac Bonga racked up 16 to go with 11 boards, while Tyrique Jones posted 15 points and 8 rebounds. At the other end, Jared Butler and Jordan Nwora scored 20 points each, the latter also collecting 7 boards, but they lacked support as no other Zvezda player posted double figures.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Black side of the white city.🙂<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/MvBT82xWaP">pic.twitter.com/MvBT82xWaP</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1999595320095674480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Barcelona 98-85 Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2025/148/)

Barcelona recorded its third straight win by beating Olympiacos 98-85 at Palau Blaugrana on Friday night. An exchange of blows saw Olympiacos take a 21-22 lead into the second quarter, but Barcelona went on an 8-0 run to secure a 42-39 edge at halftime.

The hosts fired on all cylinders from deep and got back-to-back stops that they turned into baskets on the other end, outscoring Olympiacos 30-17 in the third quarter. Barcelona opened a 72-56 lead after 30 minutes and maintained a double-digit cushion until the final whistle to improve its record to 9-5. Meanwhile, Olympiacos suffered a second straight road loss, dropping to 8-6 with one game in hand.

Will Clyburn led all scorers with 28 points, having gone 7 for 10 from deep. Kevin Punter bagged 24 points, with Toko Shengelia netting 14 and Jan Vesely adding 12. Sasha Vezenkov paced Olympiacos with 22 points and Tyler Dorsey recorded 19 points.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT. A. WIN. <a href="https://t.co/kcqrTMm261">pic.twitter.com/kcqrTMm261</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1999591790874153041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Thursday, December 11

### [Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv 92-84 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2025/141/)

Maccabi marked its return to Tel Aviv with a 92-84 victory over ASVEL on Thursday night at Menorah Mivtachim Arena. Lonnie Walker and Roman Sorkin both set career highs in scoring as Maccabi improved to 5-10 with its second straight win, while last-placed ASVEL lost its fourth in a row in dropping to 3-12.

ASVEL jumped out to a 7-14 with Nando De Colo scoring 8 points and adding an assist, but Maccabi came alive with a 12-0 run in which Walker scored twice and was up 21-19 after 10 minutes. Maccabi heated up with Walker scoring 5 in a 10-0 run to lead by as many as 14 in the second quarter, only to see ASVEL score the last 9 points of the half to even things at 47-47 at the break. The third quarter alone featured eight lead changes, after which a Tamir Blatt triple gave Maccabi a 69-65 edge heading into the final stanza. The hosts made an early push to go up 80-71 and while ASVEL kept the pressure on until the closing minutes, it was never able to threaten the final result again.

Walker led all scorers with 29 points and 9 rebounds, and Sorkin posted 26 points, 7 boards and 4 blocks. Jaylon Hoard added 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Glynn Watson paced ASVEL with 21 points, De Colo added 16, Mbaye Ndiaye 12 and Thomas Heurtel 11. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">אין כמו בבית! <br>לסיקור וסטטיסטיקה &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/9TVZMpFpUu">https://t.co/9TVZMpFpUu</a> <a href="https://t.co/Iv9VDJt72y">pic.twitter.com/Iv9VDJt72y</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1999224448881426469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Valencia Basket 94-82 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/valencia-basket-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2025/146/)

Valencia recorded its fourth consecutive victory by topping Efes 94-82 at Roig Arena in Round 15 on Thursday. Valencia improved to 10-5 in the standings while Efes dropped to 5-10 and is now on a three-game losing streak.

Kam Taylor led the winners with 20 points on 5-of-5 two-pointers and 3-of-4 three-pointers. Matt Costello added 15 on 4-of-4 three-pointers, and Jaime Pradilla had 14 points for the winners. Jordan Loyd and Isaia Cordinier had 18 points apiece for Efes, whose center Vincent Poirier saw playing time for the first time this season. Valencia won the opening three quarters, leading 22-20 after 10 minutes and extending its margin to 45-38 at halftime and then again to 71-59 after 30 minutes before going on to seal its 10th victory long before the final buzzer.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">VAMOOOOOOOOOOOS 🧡<br><br>🔥 ¡¡YA TENEMOS 🔟 EN EUROLEAGUE!! 🔥<br><br>¡¡Cómo mola verte rugir, <a href="https://twitter.com/RoigArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoigArena</a>!! 😤<br><br>🏆 J15 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a><br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 94<br>🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> 82<br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/MilarCOMELSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilarCOMELSA</a> <br><br>¡¡Nos vemos el domingo don doblete de partidos!! 😍 <a href="https://t.co/Cd71uOf6da">pic.twitter.com/Cd71uOf6da</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1999228970944876745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 96-89 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2025/143/)

Milan got back to winning ways by defeating Panathinaikos 96-89 on Thursday night at Unipol Forum. A 0-14 run allowed the visitors to grab a 21-26 lead after 10 minutes. But Milan responded with a 15-2 surge in the second quarter, when Armoni Brooks caught fire from deep to establish a 54-44 advantage at halftime.

The hosts held Panathinaikos to just 15 points in the third quarter and managed to maintain their lead despite being outscored 16-30 in the fourth. Milan improved its record to 8-7, with the Greens dropping to 9-6 after suffering their second straight loss.

Brooks led all scorers with a career-high 26 points, having gone 8 for 14 from beyond the arc. Zach LeDay netted 15 points, with Shavon Shields and Josh Nebo scoring 13 and 10, respectively. Kostas Sloukas paced Panathinaikos with 19 points and Kendrick Nunn bagged 17 in a losing effort.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Firing on all cylinders! <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/pLV2ql8m81">pic.twitter.com/pLV2ql8m81</a></p>&mdash; EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1999230095308054663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Paris Basketball 105-108 Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/paris-basketball-zalgiris-kaunas/E2025/144/)

Zalgiris picked up an important victory to get its campaign back on track by winning a back-and-forth thriller at Paris Basketball 105-108 on the road. In a game with 19 lead changes, Paris led by 10 points in the second quarter and Zalgiris opened its own 10-point lead at 81-91. Paris answered with the next 10 points to even the game, and after Zalgiris surged ahead 95-102, Paris punched back with the next eight points for the first of four lead changes in the final 59 seconds, with Azuolas Tubelis’s running layup with 11 seconds winning the game.

Zalgiris improved to 9-6 after having lost four of its last five games, thanks to Sylvain Francisco collecting 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while Nigel Williams-Goss had 18 points and 10 assists. Laurynas Birutis and Tubelis both finished with 17 points. Paris was playing its first home game since November 13 but dropped its fourth straight game for a 5-10 record and 3-5 at home. Nadir Hifi led Paris with 27 points, and Amath M’Baye scored a career high 23 points in the loss.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT. A. GAME. 🤯🤯🤯<br><br>Zalgiris returns from Paris with a season EuroLeague record in scoring and a DUB. 🔥<br><br>(Presented by: Go3) <a href="https://t.co/hc2XtPIUwU">pic.twitter.com/hc2XtPIUwU</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1999238448020947254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Real Madrid 94-87 Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/real-madrid-kosner-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2025/145/)

Real Madrid notched its fourth successive win, improved to 9-6 and stayed on course for a postseason berth with a rollercoaster 94-87 home defeat of Baskonia, which dropped to 5-10.

Baskonia hit its opening three shots from downtown and took a 7-11 lead in a see-saw first quarter, as Real turned the tide with a 9-0 run before Baskonia returned the favor with its own 0-8 streak. Real closed out the opening period with a slender 24-23 advantage, and the lead kept changing hands in a tight and low-scoring second quarter before Real nosed ahead 42-39 at halftime. Real moved up a gear in the third quarter and pulled away to 58-45 but Baskonia hit back with a 2-10 run, as the home side eventually headed into the last 10 minutes holding a 71-60 advantage. Having trailed 76-62 early in the fourth, Baskonia turned the matchup on its head and nosed ahead 76-77 as Marcus Howard sank 13 points in just over three minutes. However, Real had more left in the tank as the home straight loomed, ultimately forcing the battling visitors into submission on the back of a decisive 11-0 run.

Mario Hezonja paced Real on 17 points, Facundo Campazzo chipped in with 16 while Theo Maledon netted 15 and Walter Tavares added 11. At the other end, Howard sank a game-high 22 points, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot netted 20 and Kobi Simmons scored 11 for Baskonia.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 94 - 87 <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/gPubusftiS">pic.twitter.com/gPubusftiS</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1999237489220014081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Maccabi, Valencia, Milan, Zalgiris and Real Madrid all grabbed wins on Thursday night

Game Center: Partizan comes from behind to beat Zvezda; wins for Barça, Hapoel, Fener, Dubai

Virtus Bologna v Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-12-12T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-12-12T18:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-12-11T20:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Zalgiris Kaunas (2025-12-11T19:45:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-12-11T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-12-11T19:05:00.000Z)

Dubai Basketball v FC Bayern Munich (2025-12-12T16:00:00.000Z)

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 15 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub: Round 15

## Friday, December 12

### [Dubai Basketball vs. FC Bayern Munich (17:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/dubai-basketball-fc-bayern-munich/E2025/142/)

**Gordon Herbert, Bayern head coach**

"Dubai has a very ambitious program and a very good team with a lot of individual talent. But it’s more about us — namely that we have to play better basketball as a team. We’ve maneuvered ourselves into a difficult situation in the EuroLeague. No one is going to help us get out of it; we have to help ourselves. I’m convinced we can do it, but to do so we have to be a team."

**Niels Giffey, Bayern forward**

"It’s important now that we work our way out of our slump in the EuroLeague. Dubai aren’t yet perfectly in rhythm either, but the quality is, of course, very high. It’s good that we arrived here two days earlier. But now we have to deliver."

### [AS Monaco vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/as-monaco-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2025/147/)

**Vassilis Spanoulis, Monaco head coach**

"Since our two defeats in Belgrade, I really like the team's reaction. We showed character, we communicated well and trained hard to win three games in style. The next step for us is to remain consistent, both on the court and in our minds, forget about wins and losses, and always focus on the next game. The EuroLeague Championship Game is a game that belongs to the past. Win or lose, we have to live in the moment. The team is focused on this game against Fener, a very organized team with the best defense in the EuroLeague. We'll have to stick to the plan and put on a great show for our fans."

**Alpha Diallo, Monaco forward**

"The EuroLeague Championship Game should be nothing but motivation for us to give our best throughout the season. Fener is one of the strongest teams in the EuroLeague right now. We're focusing on ourselves to continue our winning streak. We want to keep up our momentum and get a big win at home. Fighting for every ball, rebounding, being skillful, defending and playing together—the coach puts us in the best position to perform and get the best out of ourselves in every game. Our offense has a lot of options, but our priority is defense and rebounding. The rest will follow from those efforts."

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce head coach**

"We are playing probably the best team right now in the EuroLeague. They're in great shape, scoring a lot of points in transition. Their guards are really good, playing at a high level, and obviously this is a team that's been together for five years already. They know each other by heart. It's the most difficult game of the season so far."

**Tarik Biberovic, Fenerbahce forward**

"We’re going to play one of the toughest games of the season. We’ll be facing a team made up of players who know each other very well. Their position in the standings shows how difficult a matchup this will be. We need to try to limit their guard play and stay committed to our game plan."

### [Virtus Bologna vs. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/virtus-bologna-hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/E2025/150/)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus head coach**

"One more game against a very strong team. It will be a very challenging game for us, especially about our 1v1 defense. Hapoel plays many iso situations and they have some players that played these situations very well. We have to demonstrate that we can play against this special characteristics."

**Momo Diouf, Virtus center**

"We have a very tough match ahead of us tomorrow, not least because Hapoel are top of the standings. They are a very complete team with lots of scorers. Our task will be to limit their players, play hard, with energy and as a team: that's what it will take to get the win."

**Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel head coach**

"We play against a very competitive team. How difficult our task is to compete there is also confirmed by the fact that they haven't lost a single home game - they have six wins at home. Bologna is a team that has good athletes, experience, and youth. We'll need to compete at the highest level to match the energetic way they play the game and to stay focused and motivated for 40 minutes."

**Collin Malcolm, Hapoel forward**

"Bologna is a tough team. They have a strong home record, and I've played there before - the atmosphere is great and the fans are loud. It’s definitely a tough place to play. We must come out and match their energy right from the start. We can’t let them pull ahead early."

### [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/E2025/149/)

**Mirko Ocokoljic, Partizan interim head coach**

"We’ve had some issues, but I believe the remaining twelve players will be ready to go tomorrow. We’ve had a few days to prepare, and we know a very tough game is ahead of us. We’re well aware of how Crvena Zvezda plays and the quality they have. They’re very aggressive offensively, and they’re strong both on the perimeter and inside. The team has to be fully focused and motivated for all 40 minutes. We need to give everything we have, and then we’ll see how things look tomorrow."

**Nick Calathes, Partizan guard**

"I am really excited to play a game like this. Playing against rival teams always brings extra motivation, and I believe we are ready as a team. Hopefully, we can use the last two games as fuel and momentum for what lies ahead. I have been around for a long time, and games like this can change the course of a season, giving that extra push you need. I believe we are very excited and ready to show it on the court."

**Sasa Obradovic, Crvena Zvezda head coach**

"We had a good practice, but that doesn’t mean the game will be good. We also had a good practice before Barcelona, but we started off poorly. \[Chima\] Moneke’s injury might have been a bit exaggerated; I don’t think it’s that serious. He’ll be in contention for the roster — we’ll see if and how much he can play. The picture is definitely different when he’s in the lineup. \[Ognjen\] Dobrić has a back injury, and because of it he’ll miss the game. It’s improving, the pain is less, but he won’t be in the derby. \[Uros\] Plavšić is out. \[Devonte'\] Graham practiced normally the last two practices and will play. Yago \[dos Santos\] tried yesterday, he still has some problems, but he’ll be back in contention very soon. \[Ebuka\] Izundu is there and practiced normally."

**Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda forward**

"Every derby brings something of its own. We know how much it means to everyone here, and it’s the same this time. We’re playing in front of their fans, and I think home court is always an advantage, without shifting any pressure onto them. I’d give them a slight edge, but we’ll prepare."

### [FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/fc-barcelona-olympiacos-piraeus/E2025/148/)

**Xavi Pascual, Barcelona head coach**

"Olympiacos is a team that has been with their coach for a long time. They have a very defined DNA, they play from memory and the core of the team has been around for many years. It's a team that is able to run, but at the same time it's also able to play with very long possessions, and it makes many points in the last seconds of possession, and defensively, it's very well-armed, very well-positioned, they collapse the paint very well. It is a top EuroLeague team, with a roster that allows these important injuries of players that they have, a squad of 16-17 first-level players, and that will make a very difficult game here at home in Palau, without a doubt. We have to be positive, play together and be on the same page and then we will see what happens. We have to go for all. Barca can't afford with any of the sections or with the first team to never think you can't do it. You always have to think you can do it and you have to go for all and then time will tell or it will put us all in our place. But for now, we have to be positive. I am very happy with everyone, with the whole club. Everyone is very focused and I think we have laid the foundations of discipline, respect, work, enthusiasm that we needed to go the way I wanted. We are halfway there. We are missing a lot. I think we are missing a lot of things but we are going the right way. I think it is a team that is already running well in both transitions, a little bit better, which I think is a very important part of the game here. We have to improve a lot our defense in the last seconds, which is still bad, some situations in the game that we also have to improve. But we are going the right way, defensively. We are going faster, we are still a little bit disorganized in some moments, we have to be well organized to have better spaces and be more effective."

**Tomas Satoransky, Barcelona guard**

"It is a very important game, very difficult, against a team like Olympiacos, which has had this roster for the last few years, playing in their style, playing very physically, especially in defense, and with good mechanisms on offense. You can see they have a defined playing time and have practiced that together for a long time, and seeing the results in the last few years, it's a very demanding game for us. I think we are still in the process of learning and improving the things that Xavi \[Pascual\] is adding to our playing style, and of course, the games are coming, and everyone is preparing certain things. But I think this also shows that we have faith in that, that we are improving in this process, but I wouldn't say that we are in the best moment. There are many moments during the season, but what is true is that it will be a test, an important test against a team like this, which is also very solid throughout the game, and you can't allow yourself to have bad moments during the game. I'm basically the only player who had him \[Xavi Pascual\] as a coach, but I will also say something, it's been ten years since we have seen each other, and I think he has changed many things. He is still very detailed, very demanding, especially on the defensive side, I think we have seen these defenses, I think we are keeping our opponents at fewer points, and I don't think you have to ask for much, I think his practices are mainly a lot of concentration, you have to be very aware of what he asks from the start, and I think the players are doing very well."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach**

"We have to win. We have to play well against the way Barcelona attacks and defends. Xavi \[Pascual\]’s philosophy is to target each player individually, both defensively and offensively — meaning they attack specific weaknesses of the opponent. They go a lot into the post and into mismatches. We need to defend well there, we need to be physical as always. And overall, we need to show patience in our game. They are a very experienced team with players who know the EuroLeague, who have played many games and know how to manage situations. So we have to be more physical, play at a higher pace than them, and impose our own style of play."

**Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos forward**

"I think that this year Barcelona is a bit different from what we’ve been used to in recent years. They have very experienced players who know how to play the game. With the arrival of Coach Pascual, the whole dynamic has changed. I’m sure they really want this home game. They’re coming off an emphatic win against Crvena Zvezda, so it’s a very difficult match — a classic EuroLeague game — where, in order to win, you have to do everything perfectly."

## Thursday, December 11

### [Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (20:05 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2025/141/)

\--

### [Valencia Basket vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/valencia-basket-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2025/146/)

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia head coach**

"We are not taking anything for granted. Just because we have won the last few games does not mean we will win tomorrow. The fact that we have defended well in three games may be because the other team has been very poor, or you relax and defend worse in the next game. We're going to focus on tomorrow's game against a very good team, one of the top teams in the competition in terms of budget and the prestige of their players. We know they have important players out with injuries, but we have the utmost respect for them. We've seen them play in preparation for the game and they have an inside game that is very difficult to defend, especially with Osmani and Smits. Dessert too, but above all the Osmani-Smits duo is a problem for defenses. They are players who play differently from most teams in the league and it won't be easy for us to adapt to them. We're going to have to suffer in that adaptation, and I think tomorrow we're going to play against a team that can cause us difficulties defensively. So it could be the case that we come in feeling cocky, having defended well over the last month, and tomorrow these players, plus Cordinier and Weiler-Babb, who they have at point guard, mess us up. Maximum respect, this is the EuroLeague, there are no easy games, every game is very important and valuable, and we have to be at our best to give our best performance. We all have to prepare together for a very difficult game."

**Radovan Trifunovic, Efes head coach**

"We are playing against Valencia Basket, a team that has shown good quality this season. They are playing very good basketball so far. Their style is characterized by an up-tempo and transition-focused game. In the open court, they take a high volume of three-point shots and aggressively pursue offensive rebounds. It is crucial for us to slow them down. Our transition defense and controlling the defensive rebounds will be the foundation of our game plan. On offense, we need to be smart and play with clear purpose."

**Rodrigue Beaubois, Efes guard**

"We’re heading into a tough road game against Valencia Basket. We need to use the lessons learned from our previous games and be ready to give everything we have on Thursday."

### [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2025/143/)

**Peppe Poeta, Milan head coach**

"We're facing a complete, deep team, with a championship core, coached by a highly decorated coach. Our first priority will be to limit, as much as possible, the Panathinaikos most creative players: Shorts, Sloukas, and Nunn. To achieve this, we'll need the full support of our fans, who, as they did against Olympiacos, can give us the energy boost that is going to be required. We know we'll have to deal with an inconsistent roster because some players have played a lot, others are just returning from a period out, and others will be out altogether, but we'll try to overcome these challenges with our pace and pride."

**Armoni Brooks, Milan guard**

"Against such a great team, we'll need to be physically strong from the beginning. Panathinaikos is experienced, has won a lot, and can still win a lot. It will be crucial to keep them from getting into a rhythm early, set the tone, and work as a team on their one-on-one players, on isolation isolating plays. We'll need to defend hard and trust our teammates' to make sure their shots will be as hard as possible."

**Leandro Bolmaro, Milan guard**

"It'll be a tough game, we have a great deal of respect for Panathinaikos and we understand how good they are. We'll need to play with energy, patience, physicality, and help each other, especially on defense, because against their guards or the physicality of their big men, a team effort will be necessary."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos head coach**

"At this point, every game is difficult. There are no easy games in the EuroLeague. Milan has a very strong roster, one that can compete for the Final Four. They faced many injury problems, but in their most recent games almost everyone has returned. \[Zach\] LeDay, \[Josh\] Nebo, \[Shavon\] Shields, and I think \[Marko\] Guduric will also play against us. We have a good roster as well. We must play aggressively and play the right kind of basketball if we want to win. They are a very good team and they are in a good position in the standings."

**Nikos Rogkavopoulos, Panathinaikos forward**

"It was a special moment \[making a record 12 threes in Greek League game\], but we have to leave it behind because we have very important games coming up. Like the one against Milan, which for us is a must-win game. We’re going to Milan with that mentality, aiming to get the result. I definitely have good confidence, but every game is different and you always start from zero. So whether you played well or poorly, you have to reset and focus in order to perform in the next one."

### [Paris Basketball vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:45 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/paris-basketball-zalgiris-kaunas/E2025/144/)

**Tomas Masiulis, Zalgiris head coach**

"We’re going up against the fastest team in the EuroLeague. They play extremely quickly, and the main thing will be slowing down their transition offense and limiting their offensive rebounds. That’s where we need to start, and then we can dig deeper into the details. You could point to maybe three teams that play this style — Valencia, Baskonia — but Paris Basketball plays it the best. They want to play as fast as possible; this year they also want to pressure the ball after made baskets, they double-team, they make a lot of substitutions every few minutes… Energy, aggressiveness — that’s how they try to knock opponents out of their half-court game. They feel great in the open court, shoot whenever they see an opportunity, and everyone crashes the boards. That’s their trademark."

### [Real Madrid vs. Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (21:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2025-26/real-madrid-kosner-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2025/145/)

**Sergio Scariolo, Real Madrid head coach**

"For this game, we all remember the game in Vitoria. We started with a solid game plan, with clear ideas, and we took an important lead. Then we lost our concentration and Baskonia brought out their best weapons: their pace and ability to attack the court with speed with players who are very good at handling and penetrating. In that game, they only had \[Timothe\] Luwawu-Cabarrot as a shooter, whose numbers in the last five games are impressive. Now they will have Markus Howard, who is a similar player. \[Trent\] Forrest's return is also a key factor; we remember the game he played."

**Gaby Deck, Real Madrid forward**

"They are a tough opponent who will try to win away from home, just as we do when we play on the road. We must try to do our job well, continue to improve day by day, as we are doing very well, and stay focused for the entire 40 minutes against an opponent we know very well."

**Paolo Galbiati, Baskonia head coach**

"Real Madrid is a powerhouse in Europe, with a great squad and a great coach, a legend. We have to play our style and try to impose it. They play with patience and we like to run. They play a lot at the low post, trying to make the most of their physical potential.

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 15 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season

Pregame quotes, Round 15: 'Games like this can change the course of a season'

The Adidas NextGen EuroLeague returns for the 2025–26 season, carrying forward the momentum of last year’s refreshed identity. Now entering its 24th edition, the competition continues to reinforce its place within the Euroleague Basketball framework and its reputation as the leading stage for Europe’s top U18 prospects, many of whom go on to become central figures in the senior game.

2025-26 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague returns to spotlight Europe’s top prospects

The [Adidas NextGen EuroLeague](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/) returns for the 2025–26 season, carrying forward the momentum of last year’s refreshed identity. Now entering its 24th edition, the competition continues to reinforce its place within the Euroleague Basketball framework and its reputation as the leading stage for Europe’s top U18 prospects, many of whom go on to become central figures in the senior game.

As always, the season will be built around four Qualifying Tournaments held between late autumn and early spring. The winner of each event will book a spot at the 2026 Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals, which will once again take place during the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens, Greece, creating a shared spotlight for both emerging and established stars.

The Next Generation Team, made up of standout players from clubs not represented in the qualifiers, will continue to feature at every stop on the calendar. Dogus Balbay, a 2021 and 2022 EuroLeague champion, will coach the team for the second consecutive season. Balbay made an impressive debut last year, guiding the U18 Next Generation Team to the Istanbul Qualifier Final and winning the Munich Qualifier. The 2025-26 Qualifying Tournaments:

### Ulm, Germany – February 6-8, 2026

The season begins with the opening qualifier hosted at Orange Campus, which is renowned across Europe for its commitment to youth development.

### Abu Dhabi, UAE – February 27-March 1, 2026

The action then moves to the second stop, where teams will compete at the state-of-the-art Space42 Arena. This marks the third occasion that the NextGen EuroLeague will be held in the Middle East, after Dubai hosted a qualifier in 2024 and Abu Dhabi staged last season’s Finals.

### Bologna, Italy – March 13-15, 2026

In mid-March, the competition continues at the historic PalaDozza, the former home of Virtus Bologna for many years. Bologna will make its debut as a NextGen host, bringing all the excitement of the tournament to a growing Italian fan base.

### Belgrade, Serbia – March 20-22, 2026

Belgrade, a familiar and longstanding stop on the NextGen circuit, will host the final qualifier at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade taking on hosting duties.

Over the years, the competition has seen many of today’s biggest names pass through its ranks, including [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/nge/players/luka-doncic/005929/), [Nikola Jokic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/nikola-jokic/004740/), [Victor Wembanyama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/wembanyama-victor/009553/), [Kristaps Porzingis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/kristaps-porzingis/003695/), [Domantas Sabonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/domantas-sabonis/004485/), [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/), [Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/vasilije-micic/002580/), [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/), [Dario Saric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/saric-dario/003112/), [Jonas Valanciunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/jonas-valanciunas/000898/), [Omri Casspi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/omri-casspi/jfo/), [Luigi Datome](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/luigi-datome/ccd/), and [Goga Bitadze](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/nge/players/goga-bitadze/006809/), among others. The 2025-26 season aims to add new names to that list as Europe’s next generation steps into the spotlight.

Ulm, Abu Dhabi, Bologna and Belgrade will host the Qualifiers

Relive the 2023-24 EuroLeague matchup between KK Partizan and KK Crvena zvezda, when Partizan was the home team. 

Classic Game: Partizan vs. Crvena Zvezda

Two proud clubs, two coaching shake-ups, and two fan bases that live for this moment: the Serbian derby returns to the EuroLeague spotlight.

When nothing else matters: Partizan vs. Zvezda in the Serbian Derby

Tonight in Belgrade, the EuroLeague’s mantra that ‘every game matters’ takes a back seat. For a few hours, standings, stats, and streaks fade into irrelevance. There is only one game that matters: the Serbian derby.

Belgrade Arena is the familiar site where [Partizan Mozzart Bet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) and [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/), two ambitious rivals from the Serbian capital, will lock horns once again. This might be only the seventh time the two teams will battle in the EuroLeague, with each winning three so far, but this clash is one of the oldest, biggest and most bitter rivalries in the world of basketball.

The clash between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda brings to the surface all the emotions and all the passion a sports fan can have.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">Kreni i sve pred sobom melji!✊🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> round 15 | vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkcrvenazvezda</a> ⚫️⚪️<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/QPHfeNXCxA">pic.twitter.com/QPHfeNXCxA</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1999173049317290267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Partizan was shaken to its core

Few clubs have endured as much turbulence this season as Partizan (5-9). From injuries to a coaching saga that shook the entire fan base, the black-and-white side of Belgrade has been living on an emotional rollercoaster.

First it lost star playmaker [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) to injury in late October, and without him went on a disappointing run of results. But the club, and all its fans, were shaken to the core after the resignation of the man who was more than just the team’s head coach, [the legendary Zeljko Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zeljko-obradovic-and-partizan-officially-part-ways/).

The saga has been well documented, from the coach’s resignation after seven losses in eight games to the club’s refusal to let him leave, which led to a hero’s welcome at the airport for the nine-time EuroLeague winner.

The two sides eventually parted ways, and saying that Partizan fans did not like the news would be a major understatement.

There were overwhelmingly more jeers than cheers from fans aimed towards players and management last week when Partizan hosted FC Bayern Munich. But with Zeljko Obradovic’s assistant Mirko Ocokoljic temporarily taking over the reins, [Duane Washington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/duane-washington/013370/) and [Tyrique Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyrique-jones/011981/) helped the team slalom through all those emotions and come back from a double-digit deficit to down Bayern.

Partizan followed it up with a road win over U-BT Cluj-Napoca in the ABA League and aims to build on it while trying to leave the turbulence behind and salvage a EuroLeague season that still has 24 games left to play.

The team has been playing a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and while it is hard to predict which face Partizan will display on Friday night, it is equally hard to know which players Crvena Zvezda (9-5) will dress for the derby.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">Пред нама је утакмица 15. кола Евролиге у којој кошаркаши Црвене звезде Меридианбет гостују екипи Партизана у петак, 12. децембра од 20:30 у Београдској Арени 🏀🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z2Z21wGf6A">pic.twitter.com/Z2Z21wGf6A</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1999099022544355356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zvezda’s injury woes

If Partizan has faced drama, Zvezda has faced attrition. Injuries have tested the depth and resilience of Sasa Obradovic’s squad all season long. And just when it seemed that the team was close to full strength, two key pieces – forward [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/) and guard [Devonte’ Graham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devonte-graham/014028/) – will both be game-time decisions after suffering Achilles and calf problems, respectively, in recent days.

And that is already in addition to team-captain [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-dobric/004007/) out with a back injury, and not having [Tyson Carter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tyson-carter/011305/), [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/), [Isaiah Canaan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/), [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/), [Uros Plavsic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/uros-plavsic/006240/) and [Yago Dos Santos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yago-dos-santos/012044/). On a positive side, most of these seven certain absences are nothing new, and coach Sasa Obradovic was able to successfully maneuver through as [Jordan Nwora](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jordan-nwora/013363/) and [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/) shined in leading the teams to victories.

Interestingly, Zvezda went through a similar coaching scenario to Partizan's, but far less emotional, when earlier this season Ioannis Sfairopoulos was replaced after only two games. Sasa Obradovic came back to his beloved club and turned things around in a miraculous way, stringing together a club-record seven wins as Zvezda went from a hopeless bottom-dweller to one of the teams to beat in a matter of weeks.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Live on Derby Day 🇷🇸 <br><br>Our TikTok Live in Belgrade on the morning of one of the fiercest rivalries in basketball, you won’t want to miss it 👀 <a href="https://t.co/sp8lLTnSjC">pic.twitter.com/sp8lLTnSjC</a></p>&mdash; EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1999198049118065059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Nothing else matters

A brief look at the standings - and at the team stats - would give a clear advantage to Zvezda, which scores nearly 4 points more, while allowing 5 points fewer than Partizan. Zvezda is also a far better rebounding team, and shares the ball better on offense, too.

But this is a derby, and all of that matters very little. Especially because of who will be sitting on the respective benches.

Instead of seeing two Obradovics going against one another, we will watch Mirko Ocokoljic and Sasa Obradovic face each other. And that’s a funny turn this Serbian derby took.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s time. <a href="https://t.co/Dqyj4ocQWZ">pic.twitter.com/Dqyj4ocQWZ</a></p>&mdash; EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1999387478654878204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Why funny?

Because the two men worked together for the past three years; Ocokoljic was Obradovic’s assistant at AS Monaco. Together, they guided Monaco to two historic accomplishments, which included the club’s first-ever Final Four appearance in 2023, two more EuroLeague playoff appearances and two French League titles.

They know each other, respect each other, and care for one another. And Ockoljic and Sasa Obradovic will play a game within a game.

Obradovic seeks to keep Zvezda on a winning track. Ocokoljic is eager to earn another win to turn things right-side-up for Partizan.

For 40 minutes, Belgrade will hold its breath. Two teams, two coaches who know each other inside out, and two fan bases that demand victory. Because in Serbia, this is more than basketball. This is the derby.

Game News

Two proud clubs, two coaching shake-ups, and two fan bases that live for this moment: the Serbian derby returns to the EuroLeague spotlight

When nothing else matters: Partizan vs. Zvezda in the Belgrade Derby

Zalgiris Kaunas had been struggling coming into its game at Paris Basketball, winning just one of its last five EuroLeague games, but the Lithuanian team did a strong job fighting off the French side in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that helped it wrestle out of its slump.

Zalgiris keeps its cool to beat tough Paris and get back on track 

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) had been struggling coming into its game at [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/), winning just one of its last five EuroLeague games, but the Lithuanian team did a strong job fighting off the French side in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that helped it wrestle out of its slump.

Only after the 19th lead change was the game decided thanks to [Azuolas Tubelis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/azuolas-tubelis/008192/) hitting a running layup with 11 seconds to play for a 105-108 victory, which boosted Zalgiris’s record to 9-6.

“It’s a great win for our team, a great team win,” said coach Tomas Masiulis. “If you look at the stats, we only played good defense in the third quarter. We know it is not easy to play against them. They are a very fast running team and they shoot, but we are happy that we stayed together at the end of the game when they came back. It was a great team win. I am happy for my guys.”

Paris Basketball-Zalgiris Kaunas | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Zalgiris took the third quarter 17-32 and that gave the visitors the push they needed. Paris led by 10 points in the second quarter and Zalgiris opened its own 10-point lead at 81-91. Paris answered with the next 10 points to even the game, and after Zalgiris surged ahead 95-102 with 2 minutes left, Paris punched back with the next eight points for the first of four lead changes in the final 59 seconds.

The key for Zalgiris was staying together, as Masiulis said: “We didn’t panic.”

Tubelis’s put-back was answered by a jumper from [Amath M’Baye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/amath-m-baye/007993/) before Tubelis provided the final heroics.

He was one of a number of Zalgiris players to enjoy an excellent performance, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) was the team’s main weapon with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while [Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/) had 18 points and 10 assists, [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) tallied 17 points and 6 rebounds, and [Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists. 

Above all, Masiulis was really happy about Francisco’s development.

“He’s playing for the team. He’s creating and making assists. This is the biggest improvement in his game,” said Coach Masiulis. “One on one, he can score on anybody. But he understands he can create and make other players better if he wants.” 

Francisco (28), Birutis (27), Tubelis (26) and Williams-Goss (25) all had a PIR of 25+ while Ulanovas just missed the 20 PIR mark at 19. That would have been just the fifth time in EuroLeague history where five teammates had 20 or more PIR – an achievement reached most recently by Chorale Roanne in 2007-08.  

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That moment when you get match-worn shoes from Sylvain Francisco himself. 😅👟 <a href="https://t.co/4boeueK2oI">pic.twitter.com/4boeueK2oI</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1999245465708015802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“The whole team did it. We got the win, but I am proud of myself for helping the team get the away win,” said Francisco.

And Williams-Goss added: “We just tried to stay focused and execute for 40 minutes and try to give ourselves a chance to pull out a win. For us this was a bounce back.”

Paris, for its part, was playing its first home game since November 13 but dropped its fourth straight game for a 5-10 record and 3-5 at home. [Nadir Hifi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nadir-hifi/012640/) led Paris with 27 points and M’Baye finished with a career-high 23 points in the loss.

“Pain. This is the umpteenth game we lost in crunch time. We could have executed better in the last four minutes. We missed a couple of very good shots and that changed the game,” said Paris head coach Francesco Tabellini.  

“But overall there was an improvement because we usually struggle with just two good quarters and two bad defensive quarters. Today we only had one, but it was enough for Zalgiris to get the lead. There is still space for improvement, and we will get there.”

The visitors lost a solid lead late but still pulled off a thrilling victory

Real Madrid weathered a late storm to grind out an ultimately comfortable 94-87 home win against fellow Spanish opposition in Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, which threatened to stage a huge upset after its sharpshooter Markus Howard scored 16 of his 22 points in a rollercoaster fourth quarter.

Real Madrid survives Markus Howard’s fourth-quarter onslaught to beat Baskonia

[Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) weathered a late storm to grind out an ultimately comfortable 94-87 home win against fellow Spanish opposition in [Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/), which threatened to stage a huge upset after its sharpshooter [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) scored 16 of his 22 points in a rollercoaster fourth quarter.

The home team looked in cruise control, leading 76-62 early in the period before Howard unleashed his venom and netted 13 points in just over three minutes, giving Baskonia a 76-77 lead before Real found an extra gear and had the last laugh in a see-saw contest.

It was Real’s fourth successive EuroLeague win, its fifth in the last six meetings with Baskonia and sweet revenge for a 105-100 Spanish League reverse to the same rival last month, as the home team improved to 9-6 while the visitors dropped to 5-10 in Europe’s premier club competition.

Real Madrid-Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Despite shooting a modest 2 of 9 from downtown and committing 9 turnovers, Real was able to carve out a 42-39 lead in the first half thanks to winning the battle of the boards 22-14, as well as forcing Baskonia to make only 4-of-17 long-range shots.

Real pulled away to 58-45 in the third quarter and headed into the fourth with a 71-60 advantage on the back of strong defense, but the hosts looked in danger of ending up on the receiving end after Howard and [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/), who finished on 20 points, caught fire. 

However, Real prevailed as [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) and [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) stepped up to the plate. Hezonja paced the home team on 17 points while livewire Campazzo racked up 16 and 5 assists, including a deep three down the stretch which ultimately forced Baskonia into submission. Campazzo credited the win to strong defense for much of the contest, as Real racked up 40 rebounds against Baskonia’s 29 and finished on 8 of 19 from long range.

“We played good defense and shared the ball, so it’s a big win for us today,” the Argentine guard said in his post-game comments. ”I hope we have a lot of room to improve though and we know it.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">✨ <a href="https://twitter.com/facucampazzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@facucampazzo</a> <br>🔝 MVP del partido vs <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jczumgngmw">pic.twitter.com/Jczumgngmw</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1999241673252176340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach Sergio Scariolo lauded Baskonia’s valiant fightback, having singled out Howard and Luwawu-Cabarrot while also praising his team’s depth which eventually made the difference.

“They came back in the fourth quarter and made some unbelievable shots which were well defended, so first of all we have to give them credit for the fightback,” the Italian tactician said. “With players like this, you get punished if you switch off even for a split second but we are a structured team with everyone contributing. We need a bit more consistency as were we were up and down, we made a great start to the third quarter and then in the end we managed to control the game,” Scariolo added.

In Round 16, Real visits EA7 Emporio Armani Milan while Baskonia entertains AS Monaco.

The home team spilled a 14-point lead in the final period but managed to come out on top

The night belonged to him. A red-hot Armoni Brooks fired on all cylinders against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to lead EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to a 96-89 bounce-back victory on Thursday. Few could have predicted what was about to unfold after the Milan guard missed his first two three-point attempts.

Armoni Brooks throws three-point party as ‘beautiful to see’ Milan beats Panathinaikos

The night belonged to him. A red-hot [Armoni Brooks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/armoni-brooks/013384/) fired on all cylinders against [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) to lead [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) to a 96-89 bounce-back victory on Thursday. Few could have predicted what was about to unfold after the Milan guard missed his first two three-point attempts.

A 0-14 run allowed Panathinaikos to grab a 21-26 lead after 10 minutes, with [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) netting 8 points off the bench. [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) even drilled a triple to open the second quarter, but Milan showed character and tied it up at 31-31 following a three from [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/).

Enter an unstoppable Brooks, who went 5 for 6 from deep en route to draining as many as 17 second-quarter points, as Milan outscored the guests 33-18 to take a 54-44 lead at halftime.

[Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) kicked off the second half with five straight points and [Zach LeDay](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/zach-leday/008987/) added eight to his tally as Milan pulled away, 65-46. Panathinaikos pushed back, with Nunn inspiring his team to a 2-7 run, but Brooks stepped up again with his seventh triple of the night to take the air out of the Greens.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Ergin Ataman's side regrouped and gave no indication of surrendering, as [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) brought the visitors within 83-69 by nailing one from deep. 

Yet, Brooks would kill any hopes Panathinaikos of making a comeback by sinking his eighth three of the game on the other end.

“It’s just my teammates looking for me,” Brooks told EuroLeague TV after the game. “They’ve got confidence in me every time I shoot. The coaching staff got confidence in me and I’ve got confidence in myself.”

In fact, the majority of Brooks’s made triples came thanks to Milan’s smooth ball circulation, with the Italian side recording 20 assists on the night.

“We just played together,” Brooks added. “When we are moving the ball, we are a team to guard. We’ve got a lot of good players, a lot of offensive players. Especially when we get out in transition, we’re passing the ball, it’s popping around, everybody is touching the ball. It’s a good feeling and it’s beautiful to see.”

Brooks was aided by a mature [Quinn Ellis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/quinn-ellis/012593/), who ended the game with 8 points, 8 assists, 2 steals and a big block on [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) when Panathinaikos was pushing for a comeback in the closing stages of the third quarter.

“I just play every game really hard,” Ellis said when interviewed by EuroLeague TV. “Trying to help my teammates as much as I can. And then in offense I like to move the ball. We’re playing amazingly on offense, everyone is touching the ball and it’s great to be a part of it.”

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSI209WCLoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSI209WCLoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSI209WCLoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Olimpia Milano (@olimpiamilano1936)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

Milan head coach Peppe Poeta was excited after the final buzzer, beaming with joy during his post-game flash interview. After beating Olympiacos Piraeus back in mid-November, Milan improved to 2-0 against the Greek powerhouses with a statement victory over PAO.

“I’m super satisfied,” he noted. “The guys put in a tremendous effort. Honestly, it wasn't easy. We had a short rotation and at the end they were super tired.”

Panathinaikos tried to make the most of Milan's fatigue and left it all on the line, outscoring the hosts 16-30 in the closing quarter. But it wasn’t enough. 

Having gone 8 for 14 from beyond the arc to record a career-high 26 points, Brooks had already done the damage, getting his team back in the winning column in style.

With Milan hosting Final Four contenders Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the upcoming double-round week, the Italian side will look to show again that it means business. It remains to be seen whether either of the aforementioned visiting teams will be capable of stopping a scorching-hot Brooks.

The Milan guard nailed as many as 8 triples to bag a career-high 26 points on Thursday night

Valencia Basket-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv’s 92–84 victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday night at Menorah Mivtachim Arena was a game full of numbers — and even more emotion.

Lonnie Walker and Roman Sorkin lead Maccabi past ASVEL

[Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/tel/)’s 92–84 victory over [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) on Thursday night at Menorah Mivtachim Arena was a game full of numbers — and even more emotion. 

It marked Maccabi’s ninth consecutive win over the French club. Star guard [Lonnie Walker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lonnie-walker-iv/013403/) set career highs with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and a performance index rating of 33. Big man [Roman Sorkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/roman-sorkin/011219/) joined the celebration with a career-best 26 points, matching [Yotam Halperin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/yotam-halperin/aoz/) for the most points ever scored by an Israeli in the EuroLeague.

But by night’s end, few wanted to talk about statistics. For Maccabi, the story was the atmosphere — an emotionally charged home crowd that lifted the team when it mattered most. For ASVEL, the feeling was bittersweet pride after another brave but narrow defeat.

“I feel like tonight it’s tough to summarize this game as far as basketball,” said Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash. “Tonight was not about basketball — it was really special for us. We were so emotional. I’m really happy to have been here and to experience that crazy, great atmosphere playing in front of our fans. That’s why it’s especially important that we got the win. It wasn’t our best basketball, but we found a way.”

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Round 15 Highlights | 2025-26 EuroLeague

It may not have been Maccabi’s most polished performance, but it was an important step forward. The victory was the team’s second in a row, lifting its record to 5–10 and renewing hope for a playoff push.

“Today’s a great win for us and we’re going to continue to get better,” Walker said. “The way we’ve been playing these last four or five games has been really good.”

ASVEL opened strong behind [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/), who sparked his team to a 14–7 start. Maccabi responded with a Walker-led 12–0 run, but the momentum shifted repeatedly. The game was tied at halftime and saw eight lead changes in the third quarter before Maccabi finally created separation. Even after blowing a 14-point second-quarter cushion, Walker remained unfazed.

“It’s all about runs,” he explained. “You’re gonna have a run, they’re gonna have a run. [(Glynn) Watson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/glynn-watson/014013/) had no more than 3 points in the first half — he finished with 21. The game’s all about give and take. They started making shots, but we stayed persistent. We had some mental fortitude and held on for the win.”

De Colo finished with 16 points and 7 assists in 27 minutes, logging a team-best plus/minus of +14. In his absence, ASVEL was outscored by 22. Watson’s 21 points, including 4 of 8 from three-point range, were central to ASVEL’s comeback push.

Head coach Pierric Poupet found positives despite the disappointment.

“It was not easy for us to undergo this atmosphere,” Poupet said. “I’m proud of the guys and the way they fought in front of this great crowd. Unfortunately, we missed a little bit of everything — a little bit of intensity at the end. We got into foul trouble in the big positions, so we had to adapt. Again, we were a little short at the end, but I want to congratulate both teams, because I’m proud of my players.”

Walker sets career highs while Sorkin ties Halperin’s Israeli EuroLeague scoring mark in Maccabi’s ninth straight win over ASVEL

Kameron Taylor, Matt Costello and Jaime Pradilla all excelled in Valencia Basket's 10th win of the EuroLeague season, which came against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.


New go-to guys emerge as Valencia rolls past Efes

[Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) continues to please its fans at Roig Arena with outstanding basketball and plenty of wins in both the EuroLeague and Spanish League. 

On Thursday night, Valencia topped [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) 94-82, winning the opening three quarters to seal its fourth consecutive EuroLeague victory long before the final buzzer. There are plenty of bad news for its future opponents, as Valencia is not only rock-solid in general but it keeps finding new players to lead the team on any given night.

[Kameron Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kameron-taylor/011217/), [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-costello/010444/) and [Jaime Pradilla](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaime-pradilla/010393/) all had either season-high or career-high efforts against Efes in Round 15. Taylor was particularly unstoppable, leading his team with 20 points, a new career high, on almost perfect shooting: 5 of 5 inside the arc, 3 of 4 from downtown and 1 of 1 from the foul line. He added 5 rebounds and a couple of steals for a PIR of 24. 

Taylor poured in 16 points in a fantastic second half in which he dominated the game – attacking the rim, going strong on the defensive board and pulling the trigger from three-point range. He finished the game with a wild buzzer-beater that resembled his game-winning shot against Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spanish League action last Sunday.

"Our tempo was up. I think we were hitting shots today. Our defense was good. A lot of things were going our way with the help of the fans," Taylor said after the game. "Everything was good."

With two centers, [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) and [Kai Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kai-jones/014102/), coming off respective injuries, part of Valencia's game plan was to get Costello, Pradilla and [Nate Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) involved around the baskets to play one-on-one against power forwards [Ercan Osmani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ercan-osmani/012710/) and [Rolands Smits](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rolands-smits/007109/) and get them into foul trouble. Costello was deadly from beyond the arc, hitting all of 4 his three-point shots on his way to a season-high 15 points off the bench. He added 5 rebounds and 1 block in just 18 minutes.

"I think we played really well. We stuck to our game plan, just kept running. We hit a lot of threes tonight. But in general, our defense was pretty good and that gave us the opportunity to run," Costello said. "We are playing really, really well at home. We just feel comfortable here in the new arena, with good fans, so it's always a good feeling to win at home."

Reuvers was Valencia's top scorer at halftime with 7 points. As many as six of his teammates had scored at least 5 points. Pradilla did a little bit of everything with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. His all-around game allowed him to set a new career high in PIR with 23. His previous career-best effort was a PIR of 17 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan earlier this season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¿Sabes ese momento donde te entra todo?<br><br>Pues ese es KAM TAYLOR 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/dLFJnsBoJN">pic.twitter.com/dLFJnsBoJN</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1999228582690766924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Ultimately, Valencia's second-half accuracy made the difference. After the break, the hosts downed 8-of-11 two-pointers (72.7% 2FG) and 9-of-19 three-pointers (47.4% 3FG), dishing 14 assists and picking up just 5 turnovers. Coach [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro)'s team seemed to be ahead of Efes's plays, finding advantages both inside and outside, and attacking them with great efficiency. Asked about his team's great second half, Martinez thought it was a little bit of everything.

"Maybe they have some injuries and were tired in the second half, and we were more in our rhythm. We have, at this moment, a longer roster than them. But I think we played a little bit better, we passed the ball much better, and we made some threes in the second half with a good percentage," Martinez said. "It's a long competition with 20 teams and we have to go step by step, knowing that every game will be very difficult for us to win. We only have to think on the next practice and the next game."

For Valencia, that next game will be against Olympiacos Piraeus on Tuesday, December 16, with a chance to improve to 11-5 in the standings.

Kameron Taylor, Matt Costello and Jaime Pradilla all excelled in their team's 10th win of the season


Khalifa Diop violates the iron with a monster two-handed dunk!

Diop rocks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment

What a sweet pass from Sylvain Francisco, and Laurynas Birutis finishes.

What a pass by Francisco! Motorola Magic Moment

Konstantinos Mitoglou pulls up inside, but Quinn Ellis appears out of nowhere to reject him with force!