Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 4 in the BKT EuroCup, as well as who might be missing in action.
Round 4: Pre-game quotes and injury reports
Monday, October 14
Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul vs. ratiopharm Ulm (19:00 CEST)
Ty Harrelson, ratiopharm Ulm head coach
“We want to improve from game to game. [It] is a big test for us, both defensively and offensively. Besiktas is a very strong defensive team that plays disciplined and aggressive defense. So we have to find ways to score – it will be important to move the ball and create space. At the same time, we have to play better in defense than we did in Bamberg.”
Tuesday, October 15
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (18:30 CEST)
Dorde Adzic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana assistant coach
"On Tuesday, we face a challenge against a team that deserves respect, even though Lietkabelis started the season with three losses. They are a young team, made up of young Lithuanian players who may be unknown to the wider sports audience, complemented by some experienced players. Lietkabelis plays extremely aggressive defense, and our opponents tend to switch a lot on the defensive side without losing their aggressiveness. We must get used to this, adapt, and play very smart offensively. In attack, they like to shoot and use their big players in the low post, while also moving a lot without the ball, which allows them to create opportunities for offensive rebounds. For us, it's important to control this style of play and build our attack against their aggressive defense. I want to thank the fans for their support in the game against Split, and I invite them to join us in large numbers at Stozice. Their support is extremely important to us, and our job is to earn that support during Tuesday's game and throughout the season."
Derek Ogbeide, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana center
"We started the season somewhat slow, but as we get to know each other as a team, we are playing better. We're trying to learn a lot during the games themselves and improve our performance 'live.' To win on Tuesday against Lietkabelis, we must stay focused on our principles. We have a plan we need to follow. We need to step on the court with energy and keep improving for the rest of the season. We definitely want loud support from the stands on Tuesday at Stožice, as it fills us with energy, and we draw strength from the fans' cheering. Every bit of support from the stands is important for us, as it helps us play even better."
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria (19:00 CEST)
Stefanos Dedas, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach
"We play a very tough game against Gran Canaria among a very tight schedule against one of the most successful teams in EuroCup over the last year, with the same coaching staff and roster. We have great psychology and confidence after the winning streak we have lately and I hope the desire will overcome the fatigue."
Tomer Ginat, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward
"I feel that from game to game, we are doing more, getting more good minutes and connecting as a team. Gran Canaria is an excellent team and we will have to come and be there from the first moment so that we will be in a good position to win."
Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (19:30 CEST)
Benka Barloschky, Veolia Towers Hamburg head coach
“Cluj is like the antithesis of our team: a bit older, a bit more experienced. They're also big and physical, which will present us with another challenge when it comes to rebounding. The battle under the baskets will be key. On the other hand, I think we have advantages in terms of speed, which we want to exploit. In general, we are at a critical moment in this still young season. Due to the absences so far, some players have had to step up their game. Unfortunately, this also means a higher risk of injury. Kur [Kuath] and Bene [Benedikt Turudic], our two regular centers, will be out. So we now have to use the full breadth of the squad, give our young players a chance and try to turn them into a strength.”
Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach
"We want to play well in order to give ourselves chances to win. Our team is focused and highly motivated to win the first game of the season. I hope we will come back home with a victory."
De'Shawn Stephens, U-BT Cluj-Napoca center
"We are excited for the next game and we are trying to get our first win in the EuroCup. I think our last game we showed some great fight and we have to carry that over and play to the best of our abilities. We are pushing for this first win!"
Hamburg injury report: Niklas Wimberg (broken leg), Zsombor Maronka (recovering from ankle injury), Kur Kuath (knee problems), Benedikt Turudic (back problems).
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse vs. Turk Telekom Ankara (19:30 CEST)
Frederic Fauthoux, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse head coach
"We welcome a team which is undefeated, which we know is the best defense in the EuroCup. We expect a very difficult and contested match in front of our public."
Jordan Usher, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse forward
“I am excited to play another home game in front of our fans, and against a really good team…it won't be easy, but the fans will bring us energy and push us to win!"
Wednesday, October 16
Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (18:00 CEST)
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Aris Midea Thessaloniki vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (19:00 CEST)
Ioannis Kastritis, Aris Midea Thessaloniki head coach
"Tomorrow we have another home game for EuroCup against a truly high-quality team with talent. Hapoel has excellent foreign players as well as high-level Israeli players. They have set high goals for this year's tournament. We are returning after the win against Lietkabelis for another game at home in front of our fans. We will do our best to achieve a winning result."
David DeJulius, Aris Midea Thessaloniki guard
"We know that Hapoel is a very good team, with quite a few strong players, some of whom we know from college. We all need to give our best effort together, stop their transition game, not allow them to get second chances, and play with confidence."
Yonatan Alon, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem head coach
“We are heading into a tough away game against a quality opponent in a great basketball atmosphere. We want to continue building on the positive things we showed in the last two EuroCup games. We will need to stay focused for 40 minutes and pay attention to the small details in order to return home with another important win.”
Speedy Smith, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem guard
“We are looking forward to a fun basketball atmosphere, which is something we’ve been missing a bit in our European away games. We are determined to continue our recent good form, understanding it will be a tough game but confident in ourselves and our approach.”
Jerusalem injury report: Nimrod Levi (ankle) Khadeen Carrington (personal matters).
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Trefl Sopot (19:00 CEST)
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Joventut Badalona vs. Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (20:30 CEST)
Alessandro Magro, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius head coach
"We will face on the road one of the best teams in our group. We will go to Spain with the ambition to take a step forward in our journey, respecting the last games. We must start with the defensive effort, knowing that we will play against experienced players, that are led by a great player like Ante Tomic. We need to improve, stay united as a team and compete from the first minute to the last."
Kristupas Zemaitis, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius guard
"It's going to be a tough game because it's always challenging to play against ACB teams. Joventut has a very deep roster with strong players in every position. Two frontline players stand out, especially Ante Tomic, who shares the ball like a playmaker and has outstanding passing skills. One key task will be stopping him. Of course, they have many other dangerous players. However, the most important thing is to focus on ourselves. Right now, we aren't playing well. We need to fix our issues, follow Coach's plan, and bring good energy. If we do that, I believe we can upset the home team."
Thursday, October 17
Valencia Basket vs. Umana Reyer Venice
Juan Maroto, Valencia Basket assistant coach
“We have a complicated game, like all games in the EuroCup, with a bit of uncertainty because they’ve had injuries in the last few days. We also have our issues, so there’s a part that remains quite up in the air regarding scouting, which is more of what I do. They’re a team with a lot of talent, that has played with a good rhythm, and they have a very strong bigs. It’s true that they’ve had injuries in their last few games and have struggled. We don’t know exactly what form they will bring, and that will greatly influence their playing style and the quality they can bring to the court. So, there are still many things up in the air. As you know, we have Stefan out due to family issues in his country, with the club’s permission, and he won’t be available tomorrow. We also have a virus going around the team, but it doesn’t seem too serious in that regard.”
Brancou Badio, Valencia Basket guard
“It will be a difficult game. They have a good team with players who have experience in Europe, and we will try to focus on our own game and compete as much as we can."
Valencia injury report: Chris Jones (right hand), Stefan Jovic (personal matters).
Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach
"First of all, I’m very happy to return to Valencia: for me, it feels like home, one of the most important places for me. Unfortunately, we are going there during one of the toughest moments for our team. As always, we promise to take to the court and fight until the end, giving everything we have. The most important thing for us right now is to stay united.
"Valencia has a EuroLeague-level roster, very deep, with three players in different positions. They are among the favorites to win the EuroCup. We have our game plan, and we will do our best.
"I believe that Valencia Basket is one of the best clubs in Europe from various points of view. They have one of the most important basketball development projects in Europe, with cutting-edge infrastructure, including for their youth sector."
Amedeo Tessitori, Umana Reyer Venice center
"We are facing a very difficult moment, perhaps one of the most challenging since I’ve been at Reyer. But we are focused and not backing down, as we demonstrated in the last game: we are not hiding behind injuries, and we are not using them as an excuse. We are working hard to make progress and improve, while waiting for our injured teammates to return.
"I’m happy I was able to recover quickly from my injury, and I must thank the entire Reyer staff. Against Virtus, I wanted to be there for the team, pushing through the pain.
"We need to stay strong and fight to try to win games. In Valencia, we have to enter the court with the right attitude, starting from defense, shutting out everything around us, and sticking together. We will be united and ready to fight, without fear.
"Honestly, I view our situation with a positive mindset: it’s better to face a moment like this now, at the beginning of the season, while we are still mentally fresh."
Reyer injury report: Xavier Munford (knee), Tyler Ennis (knee), Jordan Parks (thigh), Davide Casarin (ankle).