### ratiopharm Ulm head coach Jaka Lakovic:

"We are preparing for Bursa like for every other game, we want to be completely ready for a team, which is playing really good at the moment. They got a lot of individual quality and talent – in the last games they were really solid, they won against Bourg, Venice and Valencia. They will come to Ulm with everything they have, we have to play good defense, especially on their main guys. We go for the win, we still have the chance to move higher in the ranking which will give us in theory a better opponent. Actually i don‘t see which opponent on the other side is more diffcult to play, there are a lot of tough teams. We dont have the luxury to choose, but we want to look on ourselfes, build our confidence and our game – thats why tomorrow is important for us."

Pre-game quotes: Ulm vs. Bursaspor

ratiopharm Ulm v Frutti Extra Bursaspor (2022-03-29T17:30:00.000Z)

### Joventut Badalona head coach Carles Duran:

"We are in good dynamics and are showing toughness at home. We have to wrap this regular season well, we really want to finish first in the group, and I hope our people help us do that. We feel great playing at home. With a full arena the team will respond, just like we did against Partizan. We hope we can win and seal that top spot in order to have all the eliminatory rounds playing at home."

### Joventut Badalona player Albert Ventura:

"We have had a great EuroCup so far, but it is key to finish first to play all eliminatory rounds at home. We must be focused. It won't be an easy game because they play good basketball and I am sure they won't go easy on us. It's beautiful that our team is at the top, we have to keep working in order for it to stay that way."

Pre-game quotes: Joventut vs. Slask

Joventut Badalona v Slask Wroclaw (2022-03-29T19:00:00.000Z)

Carles Duran- Joventut Badalona - (photo David Grau - Joventut) EC21-RS15

### Cedevita Olimpija head coach Jurica Golemac:

"Valencia is a strong opponent that is currently at the top of our group in the 7DAYS EuroCup and at the same time at the top of the Spanish national championship standings. We don’t have much time to analyze, so we will try to prepare and regenerate as best we can before the match. We will have to watch their rebounding, as they are among the best teams in the competition in this segment. I invite the fans to join us in Stožice in as large a number as possible."

### Cedevita Olimpija player Edo Muric:

"Valencia is a great team that is definitely made up to win the 7DAYS EuroCup title and to play in the EuroLeague next season. This is an exceptional club, exceptional players, so we will have to show a very good game. I hope that Stožice will be full, and that we will have a lot of help from the stands, as the fans will definitely give us a strong wind in our backs. We are ready, we can't wait for the match to start and to face the Valencia team again." 

Pre-game quotes: Olimpija vs. Valencia

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Valencia Basket (2022-03-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Jurica Golemac - Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (photo Matteo Marchi - Virtus) - EC21-RS21

### Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse player Axel Julien:

"We will try to regain confidence, play properly and refind a good dynamic. We are not going to waste the opportunity we have left, even if the chances of qualifying are really slim. It does not depend on us. But in any case we have to win the next 2 games, that's a certainty and then we'll see what the other teams will do. Podgorica is a team with players of great offensive quality. To face them we will have to reduce the errors on our side."

Here are some insightful comments about the game from the protagonists themselves.

Pre-game quotes: Buducnost vs. Bourg

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2022-03-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Axel Julien - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (photo Jacques Cormareche - Bourg) - EC21

In Group A, Joventut Badalona will clinch first place if it beats Slask Wroclaw at home. Gran Canaria can lock up first place in Group A with a win against Virtus Segafredo Bologna or one against Umana Reyer Venice in Round 18. Getting the home-court advantage in any potential knock-out games is more important than ever before. Yes, there were knock-out, one-and-done games in the EuroCup in previous seasons, but always at a neutral venue. So expect all qualified teams to be as competitive as they can be. Also, keep an eye on the two eliminated squads, Dolomiti Energia Trento and Promitheas Patras, for possible roster changes. 

The end of the regular season also means that we are getting closer and closer to finding out who is our overall winner in [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/es/home). Daniel Gomes of Portugal leads the standings with 2,921.47 fantasy points. He is followed by three Italian managers: Raffaele Zocchi has 2,899.43 points, Stefano Mazzoni 2,896.82 and Riccardo Bernardini 2,886.03 so far. Remember, the overall winner gets an official EuroCup Spalding basketball, a voucher for €1,000 to spend on Turkish Airlines airfare, three EuroCup jerseys of his choice, and a EuroLeague TV Subscription for the 2022-23 season to watch all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup games, live and on-demand! 

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge tips Regular Season Round 17

We have several recommendations for you before this week's critical showdowns: last season's EuroCup top scorer, a big man playing some of the best basketball of his career, a power forward that has been key to his team's recent success, a young energetic center who has surprised fans and experts alike, and a well-rounded veteran who has given his team another scoring option. We are sure you guessed some of them, but just in case, here is our list of EuroCup Fantasy Challenge recommendations before Round 15: 

Jaka Blazic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (14.9 credits) – It comes as no surprise that Blazic is playing better and better as the season goes on, as he is Cedevita's leader. In the last four games, Blazic has averaged 17.5 points on 12-for-26 three-point shooting, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists for a PIR of 19.5. Cedevita faces Valencia in a big game and Blazic is in top shape right now. 

Djordje Gagic, Lietkabelis Panevezys (9.0 credits) – Right in the prime of his career, Gagic feels comfortable with Lietkabelis and head coach Nenad Canak, who knows him well. Gagic is responding, too. He has averaged 17.3 points on 18-for-29 two-point shooting, 5.3 rebounds and a PIR of 20.0 in the last three games. Lietkabelis is fighting for home-court advantage in the playoffs, too. 

David Dudzinski, Frutti Extra Bursaspor (10.8 credits) – Bursaspor is on a three-game winning streak that has allowed it to almost put both feet into the next round. Dudzinski has been one of its main pillars, averaging 14.7 points and a PIR of 16.0. He comes off his best game yet: 23 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 26 against Valencia Basket in Round 16. 

Aleksander Dziewa, Slask Wroclaw (9.5 credits) – Slowly but steadily, Dziewa has become one of the best centers in the competition. He has the numbers to prove it, too, especially in the last three games, in which he averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and a PIR of 20.3. At age 24, Dziewa has a bright future, but fantasy basketball is about the present – and he is delivering. 

Jordan McRae, Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (9.9 credits) – Metropolitans needed a third scorer to complement Will Cummings and Vincent Hunter, and McRae has stepped up in the last couple of games to make his team's offense better and more unpredictable. He averaged 21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a PIR of 22.0 against Group A's leading teams, Partizan NIS Belgrade and Joventut Badalona. 

The 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season is coming to an end, and even when there are 14 out of 16 playoffs are already assigned, there are plenty of goals to fight for in the next two weeks. 

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge tips: It's crunch time! 

Jordan McRae - Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (photo Olivier dAlmeida - Metropolitans) - EC21-RS16

It is a special month for Lietkabelis Panevezys power forward Gediminas Orelik. He is about to become a father of a baby girl. He is also the leading scorer of a Lietkabelis Panevezys team that is arguably one of the most pleasant surprises in the 7DAYS EuroCup this season. 

Gediminas Orelik, Lietkabelis: 'Everybody sees that I am back'

Orelik is averaging 16.1 points on 41.5% three-point shooting and 4.4 rebounds, ranking 14th among all 7DAYS EuroCup players at 17.3 per night, an especially sweet achievement since he was sidelined for more than two years due to injury. He worked hard and stayed patient during the recovery process, returning to finish last season with Bosnian side Spars Sarajevo. Six years after this last appearance in the EuroCup, Orelik is back and making things happen for Lietkabelis. "I didn't know which level I would reach, so in the beginning of the season, I was thinking: 'EuroCup, let's see how my body reacts and how I can play at this high level,' " Orelik told [EuroCupbasketball.com](http://EuroCupbasketball.com). "But I am back, and everybody sees that I am back. I am in the same spot I was." 

**First things first You are becoming a father any day now. How excited are you? Boy or girl?**

"Thanks. A girl! I have been trying to keep focus, you know? My wife is in her hometown with her parents, and I am in Panevezys. So, she is not too far away; it is a one-hour drive. So, when she calls, I will just get in the car and just go. So maybe that will be easier. We talk all the time on the phone and every time, she is telling me to just go to work and do my stuff, because she will be OK. We are supporting each other, so it's great."

**On to basketball, you just beat MoraBanc Andorra. How important was that after a bad loss against Joventut Badalona?** 

"We probably were very tired when we played in Badalona. We had three games in six of seven days, and it was a long trip, first to Helsinki, then to Barcelona. It was very hard, and we didn't even have practice in the evening, so we didn't even have some time for us. But then we came back, and we know our goals, so we just did our job and played our game. We are playing very well at home, as everybody has been. The home-court advantage is working for us." 

"Everybody was saying that we would be eighth [in our group], at best. Everybody was saying that, but when we started to play, from the first game, people were starting to change their minds."

**Lietkabelis, 8-5 right now, is topping most people's expectations. How does it feel?** 

"Oh yes. Before the season, everybody was saying that we would be eighth \[in our group\], at best. Everybody was saying that, but when we started to play, from the first game, people were starting to change their minds. There are good guys in this team and our coach is great. He built this team, so that's probably why it is doing so well." 

**Your last two opponents, Turk Telekom Ankara and Hamburg Towers, beat you earlier this season. Is that an extra motivation as you fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs?** 

"For sure, this is an extra motivation because we need to keep winning. We might even reach third place if we managed to win both games. And like you said, we are fighting for the home-court advantage. We lost in Ankara by five points and against Hamburg by a few points, too, so it would be huge for us if we can get those two wins."  

**You were injured for more than two years. How was the process of getting back to play basketball?** 

"Yes, I didn't play for like two-and-a-half years. Those were hard, tough times, but I didn't keep my head down; I know myself. I didn't even try to go faster. I was trying at the beginning to go for a faster recovery, but then immediately, I had some more problems. So, we just talked with the doctors and they kept everything easy. I just went step by step, and last year I came back. I know myself and knew I would be back to basketball. I didn't know which level I would reach, so in the beginning of the season I was thinking: 'EuroCup, let's see how my body reacts and how I can play at this high level.' But I am back, and everybody sees that I am back. I am in the same spot I was." 

Gediminas Orelik Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup highlights Gediminas Orelik Lietkabelis Panevezys

**After two-and-a-half years away, are you enjoying basketball even more now?** 

"Maybe I just became smarter. My age made me a little bit slower, but my head is getting better and my shot is the game. It is pretty similar as it always was."

**You had a brief appearance in the EuroLeague many years ago. Is that a goal of yours, to play in the EuroLeague?** 

"Why not? I think all players from Europe want to play in the EuroLeague. When you start to play basketball, you are thinking about the EuroLeague. OK, maybe somebody is thinking about the NBA, but probably most are thinking about the Euroleague, because it is the top league in Europe. So, it would be amazing if this day would come. But we will see." 

**Head coach Nenad Canak and two of your teammates, Djordje Gagic and Nikola Radicevic, bring a Serbian character to the team. How much of a plus are they for Lietkabelis?** 

"I think all players are giving something to the team. Djordje is experienced, Niko had good coaches and is also pretty experienced. The coach was a player and now he is a very good coach. He understands us in basketball and life. So, each one of us is giving something to build a better team." 

"This new thing of having two groups of 10 is perfect; having more games, 18 games. That's good for the players, it is perfect to show themselves."

**This is your seventh EuroCup season, but your first since 2015-16. How has the competition changed in the time that you have been away?**

"It is hard to say now. It was so long ago! It has been six years, a lot of time, and things are improved, like all technologies and all vitamins. So, for sure, it is a higher level now and we have stronger players these days. For me, this new thing of having two groups of 10 is perfect, having more games, 18 games. That's good for the players, it is perfect to show themselves. I just like to have more games. OK , maybe the playoffs will be a little bit different with just one game, but still I like the schedule."

**How great would it be for Lietkabelis fans to host an eighthfinals home game and have a big basketball party in Panevezys?** 

"That would be amazing. Probably all the players on the team are thinking about that. Having the home-court advantage would mean that a lot of people will see a good game. I think we are much better at home, so the home-court advantage is important for us. I just hope that we are going to play well and stay in the fourth or third position. That would be amazing. Step by step, more people are coming to our home games. We are trying to bring more fans, and in our last game against Andorra, there were a little bit more. I hope that, day by day, more fans will come to see us."

Gediminas Orelik - Lietkabelis Panevezys (photo Karolio Kavolelio - Lietkabelis) EC21-RS16

Feliz has stepped up recently, making the most of his extended playing time with Guillem Vives and Ferran Bassas unavailable. He is averaging 5.3 points on 50.0% three-point shooting and 2.4 assists in 14 EuroCup games this season. Feliz, however, comes off a huge performance against Turkish Airlines EuroLeague giant FC Barcelona in Spanish League action with 21 points, 3 assists and a PIR of 18. He hopes to help Joventut lock up first place in Group A, which is his team's next goal.

Slask relies on Trice to make the difference at the point guard spot. He has had a stellar EuroCup campaign, averaging 14.5 points on 86.4% free throws, 6.7 assists and a PIR of 17.3. Trice had 14 points, 6 assists and a PIR of 11 against Joventut in Round 8. Feliz had similar numbers, finishing that game with 13 points, 6 assists and a PIR of 16 to lead Joventut to a 73-87 road victory. Trice should use his quickness and court sense to give Feliz trouble in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Two very different point guards are set to face each other in Round 8 when Joventut Badalona's Andres Feliz meets Slask Wroclaw's Travis Trice. 

Major matchup: Joventut's Feliz vs. Slask's Trice 

Travis Trice - Slask Wroclaw (photo Dawid Podsiadlo - Slask) - EC21

Weems has been one of Virtus's pillars for the last three seasons. He has been rock-solid all season long, averaging a EuroCup career-high 13.7 points on 63.5% two-point shooting, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals for a PIR average of 13.6. Weems played well in his team's 20-point loss against Gran Canaria in Round 8 with 17 points, 3 rebounds and a PIR of 13. Virtus is fighting for third place in Group B and Weems seems ready to keep using his athleticism and versatility to find advantages in one-on-one situations. 

Brussino is also a versatile forward with great ballhandling and unlimited shooting range. He proved it against Virtus in Round 8, finishing that game with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for a PIR of 12. In his second EuroCup campaign, Brussino is averaging 8.6 points on solid shooting percentages (66.7% 2FG, 37.3% 3FG, 88.2% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a PIR of 9.1. His high basketball IQ allows him to read the game well and make his teammates better and Gran Canaria needs him at his best in a tough road game in Bologna. 

A big matchup is expected at small forward when Gran Canaria visits Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 15. Nico Brussino and Kyle Weems are set to go against each other. 

Major matchup: Virtus's Weems vs. Gran Canaria's Brussino

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Gran Canaria (2022-03-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Nicolas Brussino - Gran Canaria (photo Gran Canaria) - EC21

Controlling the game tempo should be one of the keys to the game between MoraBanc Andorra and Boulogne Metropolitans 92. Clevin Hannah and Will Cummings should play major roles for their teams. 

Major matchup: Andorra's Hannah vs. Metropolitans' Cummings 

Hannah is Andorra's main ballhandler. He has averaged 11.2 points on good shooting percentages (57.9% 2FG, 41.5% 3FG, 80.8% FT) and 3.5 assists in 13 EuroCup games this season. He had a sub-par performance against Metropolitans in Round 8, making just 3 of 12 shots on his way to 12 points, 2 assists and a PIR of 4 in an 81-75 losing effort. In his fifth EuroCup season, the last three with Andorra, Hannah is one of the most reliable playmakers in the competition and should play a leading role in this game.

Cummings is having a career-best season, averaging 17.3 points on 41.0% three-point shooting and 87.3% free throws, 3.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and a PIR of 20.1. He ranks fifth in the competition in scoring and fourth in PIR. Cummings helped Metropolitans beat Andorra in Round 8 with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 14. Now in his fourth season in the competition, Cummings lifted the EuroCup trophy with Darussafaka Istanbul in 2018. He needs to step up in this key battle for third place in Group A. 

MoraBanc Andorra v Boulogne Metropolitans 92 (2022-03-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Clevin Hannah - MoraBanc Andorra (photo Olivier dAlmeida - Metropolitans) - EC21