The end of the regular season presents some challenges when forming EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams and Javier Gancedo is here to guide you through them. 

EuroCup Fantasy tips: Round 18

It may be a tricky Round 18 in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home). Some teams have already clinched a certain playoff spot, while others are already eliminated. Those teams may use different rotations in their games, so I recommend sticking to players from teams that are playing for goals, whether it is reaching the playoffs or finishing the regular season in the best spot possible. Here are some moves with my personal stamp of approval for Round 18, the last round with just three trades.

[Emanuel Cate, U-BT Cluj-Napoca (12.1 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/)

Cate was chosen as the Round 17 MVP after leading Cluj to a fantastic 111-113 double-overtime victory against Gran Canaria. He had a career-best performance with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks and a PIR of 38, missing just one free throw attempt. Cluj can clinch second place in Group B, too.

[Andres Feliz, Joventut Badalona (13.8 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andres-feliz/011247/)

A victory over Prometey would allow Joventut to claim fourth place in Group A and take the home-court advantage in the eighthfinals. Feliz has been strong all season and excellent lately, averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and a PIR of 26.0 in his team's last two games. Always a good choice!

Ondrej Balvin, L.J. Figueroa, Ronnie Harrell, Andres Feliz and Emanuel Cate are featured in this week's article.

[Ondrej Balvin, Prometey Slobozhanske (13.4 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ondrej-balvin/002644/)

Prometey should claim that fourth spot in Group A if it beats Joventut in Riga, Latvia. Balvin has been one of its main pillars, averaging 15.5 points on 13-of-16 two-point shooting, 6.0 rebounds and a PIR of 23.0 in the last two games. Prometey needs his best version in this critical game.

[L.J. Figueroa, ratiopharm Ulm (12.1 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/lj-figueroa/012603/)

Ulm secures a fourth-place finish with a victory over Bourg and it should be ready for a big battle against the top-ranked team in Group A. Figueroa has improved as the season progressed, averaging 17.3 points on solid shooting (65.0% 2FG, 52.2% 3FG), 3.3 rebounds and a PIR of 16.0 in the last four games.

[Ronnie Harrell, Aris Midea Thessaloniki (9.4 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ronnie-harrell/012716/)

Harrell comes off an overwhelming all-around performance in Round 17 against Ulm, getting 19 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals and a PIR of 36. It looks like a stat out of your favorite video game, right? Let's see how Harrell follows it up in Round 18 against Trento.

The end of the regular season presents some challenges when forming EuroCup Fantasy Challenge teams and Javier Gancedo is here to guide you through them.  

Two teams heading for the playoffs meet as Bourg (14-3) welcomes Ulm (9-8).

Preview: JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. ratiopharm Ulm

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/176/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-bou-ulm/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Bourg has already secured first place in the group, while Ulm could yet be overtaken by Aris Midea Thessaloniki for fourth place after suffering a 20-point defeat by the Greek team last week to prolong a worrying run of five losses in six games. Bourg took an exciting Round 9 meeting between the teams 84-89 powered by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Maksim Salash - his only double-double of the season. The game features a long-range shooting duel between two dangerous marksmen, Tomas Klepeisz (41.1% for threes) and Zaccharie Risacher (56.6%).

[Bourg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/statistics/bou/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Ulm Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/statistics/ulm/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Maksim Salash vs. Karim Jallow: Two key forwards for their teams will face off in Round 18.

Two direct rivals tied for second place in Group B collide as Ulm takes on Bourg. The German team's smooth offense is equipped with impressive youngster Juan Nuñez, who will oppose the talents of the French side's Canadian power forward Isaiha Mike and his proficiency for steals.

Last game: ratiopharm Ulm-Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup  

Group A leader Bourg hosts top-four chasing Ulm 

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

A pair of teams with only pride to play for will complete their seasons with Hamburg (2-15) hosting Reyer (7-10). 

Preview: Hamburg Towers vs. Reyer Venezia

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/veolia-towers-hamburg-umana-reyer-venice/U2023/175/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-ham-vnc/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-ham-vnc/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Italian team is finishing strong with three wins out of four, most recently thrashing Prometey Slobozhanske with 25 points from Kyle Wiltjer, and surpassing 100 points in each of those victories. Marco Spissu was the main man when Reyer beat Hamburg 94-77 in Round 9, combining 22 points and 9 assists, and he faces a good battle with opposing backcourt leader Aljami Durham, who averages 11.4 points per game.

[Hamburg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/veolia-towers-hamburg/statistics/ham/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Reyer Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/statistics/vnc/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Aljami Durham vs. Marco Spissu: A couple of long-range specialists go to battle in Germany.

After seeing a promising upturn halted by Prometey, Reyer strive to restore themselves to the playoff trail with a visit from Hamburg, whose hopes of challenging for the knockout stages are fast fading. The displays of Kyle Wiltjer and William Christmas may be key to their respective team's ambitions here.

Last game: Umana Reyer Venice-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup  

Hamburg, Reyer playing for pride in Round 18

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Umana Reyer Venice (2024-02-06T18:30:00.000Z)

Group B's last-placed Slask (2-15) will look to ruin the playoff ambitions of Türk Telekom (7-10), which most likely needs a win to advance to the next stage.

Preview: Slask Wroclaw vs. Türk Telekom B.K.

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/slask-wroclaw-turk-telekom-ankara/U2023/180/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-wro-ttk/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Slask gained one of its two victories this season by triumphing in Ankara in November behind 25 points from Jakub Niziol, so the Turkish team knows it can't take anything for granted. A lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of James Palmer, who averages 13.4 points after netting double digits in eight consecutive games. Tyrone Wallace will also look for a return to form after going 0-of-7 from three-point range in last week's loss to Bourg.

[Slask Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/slask-wroclaw/statistics/wro/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Turk Telekom Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/statistics/ttk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Jakub Niziol vs. James Palmer Jr.: These two talented forwards will be keen to end the regular season on a high.

Either Turk Telekom or Slask are to finally celebrate the end of a long losing run in a game that may be already destinated as a bid to avoid the wooden spoon in Group B.

Last game: Turk Telekom Ankara-Slask Wroclaw | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup   

Group B's last-placed Slask (2-15) will look to ruin the playoff ambitions of Turk Telekom (7-10), which most likely needs a win to advance to the next stage.

Turk Telekom eyes playoff basketball when it travels to Slask

Slask Wroclaw v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-02-06T19:00:00.000Z)

Eliminated Lietkabelis (6-11) will try to complicate the progress of Cluj (13-4), which needs a victory to secure a second-place finish and a direct passage to the quarterfinals. 

Preview: BC Lietkabelis vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2023/179/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-lkb-clu/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-lkb-clu/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Lithuanian team snapped a four-game losing streak last week, downing Slask behind 21 points from the consistent Deividas Sirvydis. November's meeting was one of the games of the season, taken 120-111 by Cluj after overtime with 25 points from DJ Seeley on 5-of-6 three-point shooting. Cluj also enjoyed an overtime triumph last week, downing Gran Canaria to keep control of second place.

[Lietkabelis Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/statistics/lkb/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Cluj-Napoca Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/statistics/clu/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Paulius Valinskas vs. D.J. Seeley: These two guards are ready to show their talent once again in Round 18.

Following defeat to Gran Canaria, Cluj endeavour to restore winning-ways and regain ground when they entertain a flourishing Lietkabelis roster, which have won three European outings in succession. Can the Romanians get closer to the summit or will the visitors resume their rise?

Last game: U-BT Cluj-Napoca-7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Cluj has one target in mind when it visits Lietkabelis

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Playoff-bound Prometey (9-8) and Joventut (10-7) are playing for final group position as they go head-to-head separated by just one win.

Preview: BC Prometey vs. Joventut Badalona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/prometey-slobozhanske-joventut-badalona/U2023/171/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-pmt-jov/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-pmt-jov/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

Joventut, which has lost two in a row, grabbed a narrow 79-76 victory when the teams met in November, with Andrew Andrews netting 15 points, so Prometey needs to win by 4 or more to claim the head-to-head advantage. A key matchup will take place in the paint between veteran big men Ante Tomic and Ondrey Balvin, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in November's meeting.

[Prometey Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/prometey-slobozhanske/statistics/pmt/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Joventut Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/joventut-badalona/statistics/jov/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ondrej Balvin vs. Ante Tomic: Two veteran centers are ready to put on a show in Latvia.

Joventut seek to conclude a three-game slide against Prometey, who are progressing in the opposite direction via two W's in a row. The Ukrainians are top rebounders and may try to dominate physically, whereas the Spaniards wish to control the tempo in what could be a speed versus power encounter.

Last game: Joventut Badalona-Prometey Slobozhanske | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Playoff positioning at stake when Prometey, Joventut face off

Prometey Slobozhanske v Joventut Badalona (2024-02-07T17:00:00.000Z)

To have any chance of advancing to the playoffs, Buducnost (7-10) needs to finish the regular season by beating faltering reigning champ Gran Canaria (12-5).

Preview: KK Budućnost vs. CB Gran Canaria

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/buducnost-voli-podgorica-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2023/178/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-bud-can/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Spanish side has lost two of the last three, but holds fond memories of its last game against Buducnost: a 97-70 blowout in November paced by 18 points from Sylven Landesberg. Gran Canaria dished 28 assists in that game so Buducnost will be determined to break up the visiting team's rhythm and will try to run the game through big man Nikola Tanaskovic, who inspired last week's key win over Trento with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

[Buducnost Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/statistics/bud/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Gran Canaria Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/games/can/?season=2023-24)

McKinley Wright vs. Nicolas Brussino: Two vital players for their teams want to end the regular season in style.

The competition's only perfect team, Gran Canaria aim to further underline its intent to retain the EuroCup title with a visit from a Buducnost outfit that is boosted its own postseason aspirations since ending a four-game losing streak by downing Trento in a nail-biting overtime thriller.

Last game: Dreamland Gran Canaria-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Buducnost looks to cause an upset against Gran Canaria

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Aris (8-9) can guarantee its progress to the postseason, and potentially finish fourth in the group, by overcoming a Trento team (7-10) that also has to win to stand any chance of extending its season.

Preview: Aris B.C. vs. Aquila Basket Trento

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2023/177/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-ari-trn/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-prequotes-ari-trn/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Greek team is on a high after downing Ulm last week behind a sensational Ronnie Harrell, with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. He will match up against the dangerous Andrejs Grazulis, who averages a solid 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per night. Trento won November’s matchup 69-67 on a last-gasp basket from Ellis Quinn, and this could be another thriller.

[Aris Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/aris-midea-thessaloniki/statistics/ari/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Trento Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/statistics/trn/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Ronnie Harrell vs. Andrejs Grazulis: Two key forwards for their teams go head-to-head in Greece.

Two teams locked on the fringes of the playoff places meet as Trento summons Aris with both on two-game losing streaks. A key matchup is expected to arise in the paint, where Andrejs Grazulis tackles visiting big man Silvio de Sousa, but will the path to success be sourced elsewhere on the court?

Last game: Dolomiti Energia Trento-Aris Medea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Aris has one goal in mind when it hosts Trento

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Beşiktaş (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high.

Beşiktaş Basketbol vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C.

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2023/172/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ec2324-rs18-game-notes-facts-bes-hta/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The Israeli team kept its top two fate in its own hands by breaking a three-game losing streak last week at Joventut with 19 points from recently signed Will Cummings, while Besiktas has lost three of the last four. Hapoel was an 81-75 winner when the teams met in November as J'Covan Brown paired 19 points with 7 assists, and his return from injury also played a big part in last week's victory over Joventut. Derek Needham will look to outplay him in the Besiktas backcourt.

[Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Hapoel Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/statistics/hta/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Derek Needham vs. J'Covan Brown: Two experienced guards will go to battle in Slovenia.

Subsequent to claiming the prestigious prize of Group A leader in Paris, Besiktas faces another major road challenge with a trip to face Hapoel, which boasts the league's most potent offense with an average of 97.9 ppg and was at its fluid best when hitting a century at the expense of Joventut.

Last game: Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Round 9 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Hapoel (12-5) needs a victory to secure second place as it travels to face a Besiktas (9-8) team also looking to enter the playoffs on a high.

Besiktas hoping to cause a headache for top-two chasing Hapoel 

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-02-07T18:00:00.000Z)