**Reigning 7DAYS EuroCup champion Amar Alibegovic checks in from Ljubljana, Slovenia, to tell us about his basketball journey this season. Alibegovic, now playing for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, is a member of a very distinguished basketball family. His father Teo was a European basketball superstar who helped ALBA Berlin win the Korac Cup title in 1995. His brothers Mirza and Denis are basketball players as well, as is his cousin Luka Garza, with Iowa of the G League. After a four-year stint at St John's University, Alibegovic started his professional basketball career with Virtus Roma and also played for Virtus Segafredo Bologna, where he won the Italian League title in 2021 and the EuroCup in 2022. Alibegovic is ready to give his opinion about Cedevita and the EuroCup as the season goes along in his [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com) blog! **

First things first, we really needed that first EuroCup last week win after six consecutive losses. I think this was a very, very important win for us, especially after this, let's say, frustrating start for us. Because it was frustrating. Nobody likes losing, of course, but I think the way we lost and the way this season started isn't really showcasing our team, our individuals and our organization the right way. So I think this was almost like a statement win for us, to show that we can be better and we can show it on the court. We took off this big load of pressure but at the same time, when you start that bad like we did, one win isn't going to cut it, you know? So we wanted this one but the focus goes onto the next game right away. Our next EuroCup game is against Brescia. We will be ready to go and keep playing with the same energy and give 110% of what we have because we have to make up for some lost time.

"We are starting now to get on the same page"

We play at home again and that is going to help us all so much. It is also December, so a lot of fans are going to come out and already this last game they showed they can give us this edge, this energy. And I think if we prove to them that we're going to give it all we've got, more people are going to come, the atmosphere is just going to be better, and we will play with even more energy thanks to them. After starting 0-6, winning the first one like this and then getting a chance to prove ourselves at home again to maybe win two in a row, which is the goal, would be great. 

Our fans sold out Stozice Arena in some EuroCup games last season, so we know this can happen again. I think the biggest thing is, for us as a team and as players, to show how much it means to us. And I think once the fans and the people start seeing that energy and look in our eyes, everyone is going to show up just like they did last year. I remember the atmosphere, it was really amazing; they had sellouts and this huge, huge Stozice. I can't wait for that time to come because I know it will. 

Amar Alibegovic Top Plays of the 2022-23 Regular Season

2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup season highlights: Amar Alibegovic, Cedevita

This is my first season as a EuroCup champion, but I know I have to keep working hard and that is the most important thing. Since I came back from college -- fun fact -- the first year I won the Italian second division, the second year was the COVID year, then the third year I won the Italian championship and then the fourth year I won the EuroCup and the Italian SuperCup. So it's a streak that I have going, and it is definitely shaping me as a player. I have been blessed enough to be part of winning teams, and that is definitely putting my mentality in the right way, where you give something up for the guy next to you and always willing to be a part of a winning team, looking maybe a little less individually and a little more towards the team. I think that's a really important thing for us, especially considering how much talent we have on this team. We are starting now to get on the same page. If everyone keeps working in the same direction, I think we are going to be very, very good. 

As you probably know, my father played for Olimpija in the past, too. I also played for Virtus and already kind of followed his footsteps because he played for Fortitudo. So when I played for Virtus, I got a lot of hate and a lot of love at the same time, you know? But what I like is that I'm making my own choices. I'm making my own path and starting from that choice of Bologna to now coming to Slovenia; I'm the one that makes this choice. Of course, I listen to all of the advice my Dad has for me, but at the same time, at the end of the day, I make my own choices and I have the freedom to do that, and I'm very happy for my choice. Even though we started maybe not the best way, I know this is the right place for me to be and the right place for me to grow as a player and individual. 

I had never lived in Ljubljana before now but I visited the city a lot of times because my Dad's family is here, my cousins are here, and I'm happy to come here and see all of them again. It had been way too long since I got to do that, with my career taking me here and there, so I'm very, very happy to be close to that side of the family; it just feels good. I am also pretty close to home in Udine, which is like an hour and a half away. So geographically, it's very nice. Of course, the city is beautiful and I'm very satisfied with that, and basketball-wise this is another team with great tradition. For me, it has to be the right balance between luck and knowing what club to choose, starting from Virtus Roma, which had amazing history. Of course, Virtus Bologna and now Olimpija, all of these clubs have great history and great tradition. I think it helps even more to give it all I got. Of course, that is my job as a player but at the same time, when I see how much it means to these clubs and these organizations, it definitely helps me bring out even that 110%. 

"This is another team with great tradition"

What works for us now is definitely taking it one game at a time. I would say the same if we were 6-1 or 7-0 in the standings. At the same time, I think it is very important for us to keep this energy to look for a playoffs spot. We have the talent, the players and the ability on offense and defense to compete with anyone in the EuroCup, really. First of all, though, we have to take care of business now and give it all we've got to try and win as many games as we can. And then when we lock in this playoff spot, anything can happen from there. 

Even though we had this like slow start, I'm just glad that we, as a team, were able to weather through the storm because now I think we are going to be able to start playing the right way and showing what we can do. The style of basketball we play is very fun, it is very up and down, very fast and especially for the fans, it's fun to watch. Again, it wasn't our best start, but I don't think they should worry because we are going to be bringing everything we got, giving all we have on the court, fighting and playing for them. It's all up to us, the players, to show them that we are going to give it all we got. If we start winning games now, it will be a comeback story, so it is time to show what we were brought in for it. This puzzle that was put together can really work, and I'm very confident because I think we are playing better in every game. Our team can really show that we are here to compete and win games!

Amar Alibegovic, Cedevita: 'This is the right place for me'

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (1-6) will try to build off its recent success and a record-breaking performance to take another step in its climb up the standings when it hosts Germani Brescia (2-5) in the Slovenian capital on Wednesday. Cedevita started the season with six consecutive losses, but ended that streak last week with a 30-point beating against ratiopharm Ulm, a game in which it set club records in scoring (108) and three-pointers made (17).

Zoran Dragic and Karlo Matkovic, who recovered from respective injuries, gave the team a much-needed boost and the two players have combined to average 26.5 points over the last two games with Matkovic also posting 8.0 rebounds per game.

Brescia, on the other hand, has lost its last four games and has failed to score more than 70 points in three of those contests. Brescia will need to step up defensively as a way to keep up with Cedevita's offense. Brescia averages 78.6 points this season, the fourth fewest in the competition, while Cedevita has scored 89 or more points in each of the last three games. Brescia will also need to attack the hosts inside. Cedevita allows opponents a league-high 59.0% on two-pointers and Brescia must find a way to exploit it.

Cedevita looks to ride its offense with Brescia in town

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Germani Brescia (2022-12-14T19:00:00.000Z)

Round 8 of the 7DAYS EuroCup  features several games in which old rivals will take each other's measure again while some low-ranked teams aim to change their fortunes before it's too late.

### Round 8 rematches

On Tuesday in Group B, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (5-2) will test its perfect road record against Gran Canaria (5-2). This is the seventh time these two sides meet in the 7DAYS EuroCup, and Gran Canaria has won every one of those games. The last time Buducnost traveled to Gran Canaria, in March of this year, the hosts won by 20 with Aleksander Balcerowski, Nicolas Brussino and John Shurna all scoring in double figures.

On Wednesday in Group A, Joventut Badalona (4-3) will try to get back to the winning ways when it takes on Umana Reyer Venice (5-2), who arrives to Badalona on a five-game winning streak. The last time Joventut played at home its own streak of 11 consecutive wins at Palau Olimpic was snapped. Now, Joventut wants to end Reyer's winning run. When the two teams met two seasons ago, Joventut pulled off a pair of 14-point wins, with Ante Tomic and Pau Ribas shining against current Reyer players Michael Bramos, Andrea De Nicolao and Mitchell Watt.

Aleksander Balcerowski, John Shurna, Nicolas Brussino

Gran Canaria trio dominated last game vs. Buducnost

### Top scorers showdown

Successful newcomer Paris Basketball (5-2) plays host to Promitheas Patras (4-3) on Wednesday in a Group B battle that features the EuroCup's top two scorers this season. Joe Young leads Promitheas and the EuroCup with 24.5 points per game, while Kyle Allman averages 20.7. Their showdown will be a must-see as Paris will be looking to extends its winning streak to four games and its road record to 5-0.

Interestingly, entering Round 8, Group B features three teams that have more wins on the road that they do at home. All of them – Buducnost, Paris and Turk Telekom Ankara – have 5-2 records. Turk Telekom is 2-2 at home, where it will meet London Lions (4-3), winner of three straight, in Wednesday's first game.

The only Group A with more road than home wins is ratiopharm Ulm (3-4), which will hosts the group leader Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (6-1) on Wednesday.

Kyle Allman, Joe Young scoring highlights in the 2022-23 Regular Season

Allman vs Young - top two scorers squaring off in Round 8

### Reinforcements aim to continue strong

Elsewhere in Group A, two of three teams that have yet to win on the road will have another chance to do so this week. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (4-3) will be in search of it first road win on Tuesday when it visits Frutti Extra Bursaspor (4-3). One night later, U-BT Cluj Napoca (3-4) will be looking to accomplish the same when it visits Prometey Slobozhanske (3-4). Cluj has won two of three games since the addition of veteran guard Nemanja Gordic, who has shined with averages of 12.3 points, 6.7 assists and 2.0 steals in that time.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (1-6), Group A's other winless road team, stays home in the Slovenian capital to welcome Germani Brescia (2-5). Cedevita thrashed ratiopharm Ulm by 30 points for its first win last week, then took a domestic league win over the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade over the weekend. Cedevita's recent boost has come with the help of two players who returned from preseason injuries. Young center Karlo Matkovic (14.5 ppg., 8.0 rpg.) and veteran swingman Zoran Dragic (12.0 ppg., 3.0 apg.) have delivered handsomely in their two games each so far.

Dragic & Matkovic have boosted Cedevita offense

### End-of-table teams look for life-lines

On Tuesday, a pair of teams trying to catch up with the rest of the Group B will have their work cut out for them. Slask Wroclaw (0-7), the last winless team in the competition, travels to face Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv (3-4). Hapoel is on a three-game losing streak. The players and the club's die-hard fans will consider this a must-win game for the Israeli side. Meanwhile, Dolomiti Energia Trento (1-6) hosts Veolia Towers Hamburg (3-4), a team that has played well on the road this season. Hapoel and Hamburg are in seventh and eighth place in Group A standings. Any losses against their main playoff rivals will be a major blow for Slask and Trento.

Round 8 at a glance: Top scorers showdown comes to Group B

Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2022-12-13T20:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2022-12-13T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv v Slask Wroclaw (2022-12-13T17:30:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Promitheas Patras (2022-12-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v London Lions (2022-12-14T17:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2022-12-14T18:30:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2022-12-14T17:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-12-14T19:15:00.000Z)

Frutti Extra Bursaspor v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-12-13T17:00:00.000Z)

Prometey Slobozhanske welcomes U-BT Cluj-Napoca to Arena Riga on Wednesday evening in a game that pits the best offenses in the 7DAYS EuroCup up against one another.

The hosts are coming off back-to-back defeats, which dropped their record to 3-4 on the season. Last time out, on the road at Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse, Prometey lost 92-85. This season has seen Gian Clavell, DJ Stephens and DJ Kennedy show what they can do in the EuroCup, averaging a combined 39.0 points per game, but against Bourg they had 28 points between them. Prometey was without Caleb Agada and his 15.2 points per game, too. Yet, the competition's second-best offense at 86.1 points per contest will hope to arrest its mini slide in Round 8, with the team's star players likely to play a big role in any success Prometey has.

Game News

Cluj, meanwhile, recorded an impressive 98-82 win in Round 7 at home to Joventut Badalona. The problem for Cluj is that it has been far better at BT-arena than it has been on the road, going 3-1 in Cluj-Napoca and 0-3 on its travels. Leonardo Meindl continued his impressive debut EuroCup campaign with a game-high 21 points against Joventut, while Karel Guzman and Patrick Richard contributed 19 and 14 points, respectively. Cluj has the best offense in the EuroCup at 87.4 points per night, so it will have to lean on that side of the ball if it is to come away with its first road win on Wednesday evening.

It's a battle of high-scoring offenses when Prometey, Cluj meet

In a meeting between two of the most impressive teams in this year's 7DAYS EuroCup, Turk Telekom Ankara (5-2) welcomes the London Lions (4-3) to Ankara Spor Salonu.

Turk Telekom saw its five-game winning run snapped in Round 7 as it fell 81-88 at home to Gran Canaria. Curiously, both of the Turkish team's defeats this season have come at Ankara Spor Salonu, as it is 2-2 at home and 4-0 on the road. Tony Taylor had an excellent performance off the bench for Turk Telekom in its loss to Gran Canaria, scoring 28 points, but Erkan Yilmaz was the only other player to get into double figures, finishing with 12. Coach Erdem Can will be keen to see regular starters Jerian Grant and Axel Bouteille improve on their 9-point showings last week.

London, meanwhile, has recovered from a slow start to the season by going 3-0 in its last three games, of which two have been on the road. Last time out, against Promitheas Patras in Greece, the ever-consistent Sam Dekker had a game-high 20 points, while veteran big man Kostas Koufos put his fingerprints on proceedings with 10 points, 9 assists and 3 assists. London head coach Ryan Schmidt has instilled a lot of belief in his team, and it has the chance to further cement its place in the playoff positions with a statement win at Turk Telekom in Round 8.

Turk Telekom looking to respond against in-form London

In a never-seen-before showdown in European competitions, Paris Basketball (5-2) takes on Promitheas Patras (4-3) in Group B. Paris is 4-0 on the road but just 1-2 at home. Promitheas comes off back-to-back home losses and hopes to bounce back right away.

Paris relies on its physicality to make a difference in this game. It leads the EuroCup in blocked shots (4.1 bpg.) and defensive rebounds (30.3 drpg.), which allows Paris to get going in transition. Kyle Allman, Amar Gegic and Axel Toupane are fast, athletic players who thrive in their team's run-and-gun style. Paris, however, ranks 19th in offensive rebounds (8.7 orpg.), so there is room for improvement. As always, finding Ismael Kamagate in the paint should give Paris a better chance to win the game. 

Promitheas has been without Joe Young, the EuroCup's top scorer, in its last two games. If Young remains sidelined, Arnoldas Kulbokas and Anthony Cowan should be ready to get extended responsibilities on offense. Promitheas is last in offensive rebounds (8.3 drpg.) despite making just 48.8% of its two-point shots (19th overall). Being more effective in the paint and powering the offensive board against the best defensive rebounding team in the competition are perhaps the biggest keys for Promitheas in this exciting game.

Paris, Promitheas finally meet 

For the second consecutive season, ratiopharm Ulm (3-4) and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (6-1) meet in 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season action. Last season, Ulm beat Bourg twice: 96-86 at home and 72-85 on the road. Bourg, however, was 2-5 after seven games last season and now leads Group A with a 6-1 record this season. 

Ulm relies on its young, electric backcourt to make a difference in the game. Juan Nunez, Yago Dos Santos and Fedor Zugic give Coach Anton Gavel plenty of options to either attack the rim or find an open teammate. Ulm ranks seventh in assists (18.1 apg.) and is eighth in turnovers (14.3). Being able to circulate the ball better and connecting with its big men, Nicolas Bretzel and Karim Jallow, for easier points in the paint should make Ulm's offense more efficient against a team with the best win-loss record in the competition right now. 

Bourg leads the 2022-23 EuroCup in three-point shooting, having made 40.2% of its shots from downtown. Bourg, however, is just 16th in assists at 16.6 per night, so a lot of its shots come in one-on-one situations. James Palmer has scored 20 or more points in each of the last three games and Bourg should continue running its offense through him. On defense, preventing Dos Santos and Zugic from attacking the rim should be important, so guards like Frantz Massenat, Axel Julien and Hugo Benitez must be ready for a big defensive challenge. 

Bourg, Ulm meet again in Round 8

Two of the top teams in Group A will clash on Wednesday when Joventut Badalona hosts Umana Reyer Venice. Joventut (4-3) has lost back-to-back games for the first time since the 2021 quarterfinals after falling 98-82 at U-BT Cluj-Napoca last week. Reyer (5-2) is riding high with five straight wins after blasting last season’s runner-up Frutti Extra Bursaspor 78-65 last week. 

All signs point to a defensive showdown as Reyer has allowed the second-fewest points in the EuroCup this season (72.0 ppg.) and Joventut is third (76.6 ppg.). They also excel in particular in limiting opposing three-point shooters; Reyer’s opponents have made just 30.0% of their attempted triples and Joventut’s foes have shot 30.9% from behind the arc. 

Henry Ellenson (11.4 ppg.) and Ante Tomic (10.1 ppg.) are Joventut’s top scorers with Pau Ribas and Kyle Guy leading the backcourt. Former Joventut forward Derek Willis (13.7 ppg., 6.3 rpg.) has been Reyer’s go-to guy alongside Mitchell Watt (12.4 ppg., 5.4 rpg.) inside and Allerik Freeman (12.3 ppg.) from the perimeter. With so much talent on these well-coached teams, this Round 8 showdown should be a thriller.

Group A powers Joventut, Reyer clash

The London Lions have confirmed the signing of [Jordan Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jordan-taylor/005247/), who joins the team after it was confirmed that Tarik Phillip will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season due to injury. Taylor (1.88 meters, 33 years old) has moved from one 7DAYS EuroCup team to another, swapping Group A for Group B, as he played the first four games of this season with U-BT Cluj-Napoca. In those contests, he averaged 14.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals.

Jordan Taylor 2022-23 Cluj highlights

Taylor has one year of experience in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, which came with LCLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in 2019-20, and five seasons of knowhow in the EuroCup. He made his EuroCup debut in 2013-14 with Virtus Roma, before going on to represent ALBA Berlin (2015-16), Galatasaray (2017-18), Limoges CSP (2018-19) and Cluj (2022-23) in the competition. Across 44 appearances in the EuroCup, Taylor has averaged 10.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steal. Now, having signed for London, the American ballhandler will look to bring his shooting, playmaking and experience to a team looking to continue its upwards trajectory.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s your Lions Medical &amp; Roster update! 🦁📄<br><br>A lot going on! ✍️<br>Don’t miss the action, get your tickets now: <a href="https://t.co/m2oPj24RmZ">https://t.co/m2oPj24RmZ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wearelondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wearelondon</a> <a href="https://t.co/jdrtfUvEC7">pic.twitter.com/jdrtfUvEC7</a></p>&mdash; London Lions (@LondonLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonLions/status/1601968812127043585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>