Despite several backcourt absences and a three-game losing streak, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul did not let its fans down in this Istanbul derby against Anadolu Efes

Fenerbahce turns problem into opportunity 

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) opened 2025 with a statement victory, [downing Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-76](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-downs-efes-in-rivalry-series-matchup-84-76/) at Ulker Sports and Event Hall. Despite several backcourt absences and a three-game losing streak with some ugly performances, Fenerbahce did not let its fans down in this derby. In fact, [Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/jasikevicius-saras/?season=E2024)'s team played one of its best defensive games of the season.

Efes was limited to 36 second-half points. After the break, the visiting team made just 2 of 12 shots from beyond the arc and dished just 3 assists. Despite being without [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/wade-baldwin-out-with-hamstring-injury/), [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/arturs-zagars-fenerbahce-beko-foot-injury/) and [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/), many players stepped up and stood out in this important game, in which Fenerbahce also grabbed the potential head-to-head tie-break advantage over Efes.

[Skylar Mays](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/skylar-mays/013396/) had his first start after coming off the bench in his previous 12 EuroLeague apperances. He tallied 9 points and a PIR of 11 after previously averaging 3.2 points and a PIR of 2.2. Mays was not the only player to take a step forward as [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) and [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) all had extraordinary performances.

Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in Round 19 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Guduric's all-around performance in Round 19

Guduric had a superb all-around performance with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists (matching his career-best) and a season-high PIR of 30. Hall also contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 0 turnovers. Hall and Guduric combined for 13 of the team's 19 assists against just 9 turnovers.

"We struggled lately. We had to come out and try to defend our home court. And we played a lot of times against Efes, so we know them pretty well," Guduric said after the game. "I think we did a good job defensively. We were talking a lot about defense throughout the week. I think defensively we were good and it's good to start the new year with the win, definitely."

Biberovic did what he does best: shoot the ball effectively. He made 5 of 8 three-pointers on his way to 17 points, which matched his best scoring effort of the season.

Tarik Biberovic buried 5 three-pointers in Round 19.

Biberovic shoots the light out in Round 19

"I shoot and shoot, you know what I say, I never lose my confidence. Today I felt great, and that's all I can say. I'm just focused on my team, to be honest, not on my performance," Biberovic.

Both Guduric and Biberovic highlighted their team's defensive effort in the second half. And as it often happens, defense led to a fluid offense in which all of the available perimeter players contributed.

Game News

"At halftime, we talked about it. We had to be more physical defensively and tried to convert those stops in points in the second half and we succeeded in that," Biberovic said. "We were way better defensively, way more physical. We started switching and [Khem \[Birch\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) was doing a great job defensively on the smalls, and the guards were boxing out. We really did what coach wanted and this is the result."

"I think it comes from defense, just getting stops and running in fastbreak, being aggressive, having that driving mentality. We always talk about it and that's it," Guduric concluded.

Game Videos

Without its three main ballhandlers, Fenerbahce found answers from its healthy guards 


Fenerbahce turns problem into opportunity

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-01-03T17:45:00.000Z)

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Walter Tavares of Real Madrid shoots over Bayern's Johannes Voigtmann

Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce and Dan Oturu of Efes fight for the ball

Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos dunks over Virtus's Nicola Akele

Jabari Parker of Barcelona and Paris's Kevarrius Hayes and Yakuba Ouattara battle for a loose ball

Sterling Brown of Partizan drives against Maccabi's Mariol Shayok

Yanni Wetzell of ALBA and Monaco's Georgios Papagiannis vie for the ball

Paris Lee of ASVEL turns the corner against the defense of Milan's Nico Mannion 

Donta Hall of Baskonia dunks in front of Crvena Zvezda's Isaiah Canaan

Moustapha Fall of Olympiacos goes up with the ball despite the defense of Zalgiris's Lonnie Walker

Tyrique Jones of Partizan emotes as he dunks against Maccabi

Look back at all the action from Round 19 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!

Top 10 photos of the week: Round 19

A personal-best performance in an impressive home victory allowed Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to claim Round 19 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Round 19 MVP: Omer Yurtseven, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

A personal-best performance in an impressive home victory allowed [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to claim Round 19 MVP honors with a PIR of 34.

Yurtseven led Panathinaikos to a 111-90 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna with 27 points on 13-of-16 two-pointers and 1-of-2 free throws. He added 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 2 fouls drawn for a PIR of 34, the highest in Round 19. This is the first time that Yurtseven has secured the MVP of the Round accolade in his 29-game Turkish Airlines EuroLeague career, and he is the first Panathinaikos player to take home this award this season.

His teammate [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) had a PIR of 33 in that game, getting 27 points on 5-of-6 two-pointers, 5-of-9 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws. He also had 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 5 fouls drawn. In the same game, [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) of Virtus amassed a PIR of 33 with 25 points on 4-of-7 two-pointers, 5-of-7 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 5 fouls drawn. [Willy Hernangomez ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/)of FC Barcelona and [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, each with a PIR of 30, complete the top individual performances in Round 19. Hernangomez posted 23 points, 10 rebounds and 1 steal in Barcelona’s 79-90 win at Paris Basketball, while Guduric had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as Fenerbahce downed Anadolu Efes Istanbul 84-76 in this week’s Rivalry Series game.

### Individual highs: Yursteven and Nunn, Panathinaikos, 27 points each

Kendrick Nunn and Omer Yurtseven of Panathinaikos each had 27 points in Round 19. Nunn is also first overall with 20.9 points per game.

[Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) of Real Madrid and Willy Hernangomez of Barcelona led all rebounders by pulling down 10 apiece in this round. Tavares leads the 2024-25 EuroLeague in rebounds with 8.2 boards per night.

[Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/) of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) of Barcelona each dished a round-high 8 assists. [Tamir Blatt](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tamir-blatt/011193/) of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is this season's assists leader with 8.0 dimes per game.

Six players collected 3 steals apiece in Round 19: [Yanni Wetzell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yanni-wetzell/011934/) of ALBA Berlin, [Isaac Bonga](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaac-bonga/006760/) of Partizan, his teammate [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/), [Nico Mannion](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/niccolo-mannion/011064/) of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) of Real Madrid, and [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) of FC Bayern Munich. [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) of Bayern ranks first overall (1.61 spg.), slightly ahead of AS Monaco’s [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) (1.57 spg.).

Yurtseven, [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) of Monaco and [Brandon Davies](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/brandon-davies/007870/) of Partizan each had 3 blocks in Round 19. Tavares (1.368 bpg.) is first in the overall list, followed by [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/) of Panathinaikos (1.364 bpg.). 

Only one player recorded a double-double in this round: Willy Hernangomez (23 points, 10 rebounds).

This is a career-first MVP award for the Greens' center.

Baskonia has confirmed that team captain Tadas Sedekerskis has suffered a thigh injury that will keep him out for an undetermined amount of time.

Baskonia's Tadas Sedekerskis suffers thigh injury

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/bas/) has confirmed that forward [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) is out for an undetermined amount of time after suffering a thigh injury.

Sedekerkis underwent tests after [Baskonia's 73-75 loss to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/resilient-crvena-zvezda-edges-out-baskonia-73-75/), which confirmed that he had done damage to his thigh muscle.

"The tests carried out on Tadas Sedekerskis after the game against Crvena Zvezda have confirmed an injury in the adductor muscles of his left thigh," read Baskonia's statement. 

"The player is already working on his recovery with the club's medical services. His progress will determine the timetable for his return to the team's activities."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Parte médico: Tadas Sedekerskis<br><br>📎 <a href="https://t.co/kHgD8nypa0">https://t.co/kHgD8nypa0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/jHwFIGNv8B">pic.twitter.com/jHwFIGNv8B</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1875475901548511508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sedekerskis has made 15 appearances for Baskonia this season, averaging 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a 13.1 PIR.

The Baskonia team captain, now in his seventh EuroLeague campaign, has made 147 appearances in the competition – all for Baskonia.

It occurred during his team's Round 19 defeat to Crvena Zvezda

After one year at Panathinaikos BC, Juancho Hernangómez has returned to Spain by joining Real Madrid.

Juancho Hernangómez heads to Real Madrid

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is continuing the process of keep the core of its championship-winning team together beyond this season by signing [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) to a two-year extension. Hernangomez (2.06 meters, 29 years old) has penned a new two-year deal, that will keep him with the Greens until the summer 2027.

The announcement of the signing came after one of the best game Hernangomez has played in Panathinaikos jersey, as he tied his career high with 16 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting, and also pulled own 7 rebounds and had 3 assists in a 20-point win over the visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna. It improved his season averages to 9.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Greens who hold a 12-7 in the third place in the standings.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την επέκταση της συνεργασίας της με τον Χουάντσο Ερνανγκόμεθ έως το καλοκαίρι του 2027.<br><br>______________________________________<br><br>Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership with Juancho Hernangomez until the… <a href="https://t.co/FKkGBxDtgM">pic.twitter.com/FKkGBxDtgM</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1875289928793542822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Hernangomez joined Panathinaikos ahead of the 2023-24 season, when he ended his seven-year stay in the NBA and came to play in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Greens, helping them win the 2023-24 EuroLeague championship.

The Spain international started his professional career with Estudiantes in his hometown of Madrid in 2014, and remained there for two years before embarking upon his NBA journey. In the United States, Hernangomez suited up for the Denver Nuggets (2016-20), Minnesota Timberwolves (2020-21), Boston Celtics (2021-22), San Antonio Spurs (2021-22), Utah Jazz (2021-22), and Toronto Raptors (2022-23). He played a total of 350 games in the association.

More Panathinaikos News

Juancho Hernangomez grabs a rebound between two Anadolu Efes Istanbul players.

The Spanish forward is staying in the Greek capital.

Panathinaikos extends Juancho Hernangomez two more years

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge! Kristian Palinkas beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team 'Kixxx', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.55.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Round 19 winner

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans, we have our 19th winner in this season's [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Kristian Palinkas beat everyone else in Round 19 with his team 'Kixxx', which had a Fantasy Challenge score of 224.55.

Kristian had the following starting lineup: Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as team captain, then Olympiacos Piraeus's Sasha Vezenkov, Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, as well as Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's duo of Sterling Brown and Tyrique Jones. His sixth man was Will Clyburn of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. On the bench, Kristian had ALBA Berlin's Elias Rapieque, Fenerbahce's Melih Mahmutoglou, Partizan's Mitar Bosnjakovic, and Filip Petrusev of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. His team's head coach was AS Monaco play-caller Vassilis Spanoulis.

The prize for finishing first in Round 19 is a free VIP Euroleague TV subscription for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Kristian!

Marko Djukic and his team 'Kughat' remains the leader of the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/) overall standings with 3,277.69points.

Trades are now open for Round 20. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round. You can either trade up to four players, or a head coach and three players.

The first game in Round 20 tips off on Thursday, January 9, as Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul hosts ALBA Berlin at 18:45 CET. That game marks the next round's deadline.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become our next round winner!

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager. 

In FC Barcelona's win against Paris Basketball at Accor Arena, Willy Hernangomez and Chimezie Metu shined. Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Barcelona bigs shined in big French capital win

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) had a victorious return to its place of happiness. At Accor Arena in Paris, the venue where the club won its last Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in 2010, [Barcelona topped Paris Basketball 79-90](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/paris-basketball-fc-barcelona/E2024/169/) in a display of confidence and experience.

It was a completely opposite display from what we witnessed not even two months ago, in Round 10, when Paris went into Palau Blaugrana and dominated in an [87-103 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-barcelona-paris-basketball/E2024/88/). That game started a losing streak, as Barcelona entered this game as a loser in seven of its last nine games.

But, from the opening tip on Friday night, Barcelona looked like a team that knew what it wanted and, more importantly, how to get it.

The team's two biggest stars at Accor Arena were its two big men, [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/) and [Chimezie Metu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/). Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Hernangomez finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Metu had 13 points in 15 minutes on the floor.

Hernangomez, Metu dominated Paris

Both came off the bench, as [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/youssoupha-fall/006568/) was trusted into a starting role in the absence of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/), and the fact that Fall had 3 field-goal attempts in the early going was a hint of things to come.

Hernangomez was the next one off the bench, before Metu finally stepped on the floor. Paris had no, or very little, answer for Barcelona's game plan, especially when both were on the floor.

The duo showed their strength in the paint, with Hernangomez going 7 for 11 on two-pointers, grabbing 5 offensive rebounds and drawing 8 personal fouls, while Metu was 6 for 7 on two-pointers.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">El darrer quart de <a href="https://twitter.com/Chimezie_Metu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chimezie_Metu</a> 🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/5YrubYSOrF">pic.twitter.com/5YrubYSOrF</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1875295781537841186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Barcelona made 26 two-point shots, one shy of its season high, on 46 attempts

"For us, it is an important moment," Hernangomez told EuroLeague TV in a postgame interview. "A moment to be together, to try to give more of ourselves to our team. Our fans in Barcelona, they deserve wins and for us to play better."

No one would be able to accuse the team of lack of hustle as Barcelona pulled down 16 offensive rebounds, the third most this season. Players dove after basketballs on the floor, and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) into the fans in the courtside seats, winning their share of loose balls.

"We are going to play every single game like a final. That's the mentality. I am proud of the guys", Hernangomez said.

His performance, in just over 20 minutes on the floor, might be the biggest reason for optimism. His 23 points and 10 rebounds are both career highs, as is his PIR of 30. It was also the most minutes he has played this season, and this type of Hernangomez certainly deserves time on the floor.

It turned out to be an excellent start to the 2025 for Barcelona, to get back to a winning record (10-9) and get a boost of confidence for a team which next travels to the first-placed [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) before two tough home game against the reigning champ [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) then against [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/).

"The clock is ticking," Metu said.

"There is still a lot of a season \[left to play\], but we've got to start getting our rhythm now. We had to come out here and play our game, that was very important to us."

Willy Hernangomez enjoyed a career night in Jan Vesely's absence

Paris Basketball v FC Barcelona (2025-01-03T19:15:00.000Z)

[Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/) headed into 2025 with its most convincing win of the season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, a thumping [98-75 home rout of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rampant-partizan-blows-away-maccabi-98-75/), after shining at both ends of the court on Friday.

It came on the back of a [90-81 victory against visiting Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/partizan-gets-back-to-winning-ways-after-beating-fenerbahce-90-81/) in the previous round and stopped a two-game skid which had threatened to derail Partizan’s bid to reach the postseason. That happened after the Serbian outfit had clawed its way back into the postseason picture with five wins on the trot, following a dreadful 2-8 start to the regular season.

The demolition of Maccabi delivered everything a Partizan fan could ask for, as the hosts dished out a club-record 31 assists which underlined its free-flowing offense, with everyone sharing the ball and looking for an open teammate. At the other end, 15 steals and 8 blocks embodied ironclad defense which also forced 19 turnovers and exceptionally poor inside shooting from Maccabi, which sank a mere 12 of 34 from inside the arc.

A team PIR of 133 ranks as Partizan’s second-best all-round Turkish Airlines EuroLeague performance, as five players posted double digits in scoring and 10 out of 12 netted for the home team, which kept its fervent supporters on fire throughout the lop-sided contest.

“We knew we had to come out with a lot of energy because we also knew they were going to come out to play strong,” player of the game [Sterling Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sterling-brown/012720/) said in his postgame comments after pouring 21 points in a stellar individual display. “Everybody contributed and got the job done. We have to keep going and keep persisting, stand together and take it game by game.”

Playmaker [Carlik Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carlik-jones/013369/), who chipped in with a comprehensive tally of 11 points, 8 assists, 3 boards and 2 steals, concurred with Brown and praised a concerted team effort.

“It’s special how we played together for the full 40 minutes, how we shared the ball and defended well,” he said. “It’s a great way to start the new year and all we wanted is to get back to being ourselves. We want to keep being better versions of ourselves because we know that we can accomplish a lot this year.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🖤🤍<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/CDGsSi78oD">pic.twitter.com/CDGsSi78oD</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1875322004167127431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Head coach [Zeljko Obradovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/par/obradovic-zeljko/) was also pleased with his team’s display which makes happy reading for a tough upcoming fixture list, with Partizan on the road for their next three games against [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/), [LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/asv/) and [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/).

Obradovic also showed a lot of sympathy for Maccabi, which is confined to playing its home games behind closed doors in the Serbian capital’s Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. The venue is located just a few miles away from the imposing Belgrade Arena, where the Israeli giant felt the full force of a Partizan’s passionate home crowd on Friday night.

“We played a good game and I am very happy for my players and for our fans,” said Obradovic, the winner of a record nine EuroLeague titles. “It was an excellent atmosphere again but I do have to say that Maccabi looks very tired as they are playing their home games a long way from home for a second successive season.”

Maccabi head coach [Oded Kattash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/tel/kattash-oded/?season=E2024) made no excuses for a crushing defeat. “I didn’t see it coming,” he said. “Right from the beginning we weren’t there in any aspect. A very bad game and a very bad night for us, not what we expected.”      

Following two defeats in a row, the Serbian side bounced back with two wins in a row thanks to a pair of impressive performances

Partizan firing on all cylinders again to keep postseason hopes alive

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2025-01-03T19:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos BC started the new year in great fashion as it rolled over the visiting Virtus Bologna 111-90 in front of a sold-out OAKA on Friday night. It was the first home game after Mathias Lessort's serious injury, but the Greens have found the perfect replacement in the paint with Omer Yurtseven.

Omer Yurtseven stepped up to lead Panathinaikos’s unstoppable offense

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) started the new year in great fashion as it [rolled over the visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna 111-90](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-excels-on-offense-to-beat-virtus-111-90/) in front of a sold-out OAKA on Friday night. It was the first home game after [Mathias Lessort's serious injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/), but the Greens have found the perfect replacement in the paint with [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/).

The Turkish center enjoyed his third start of the season – his second in a row – and repaid coach Ergin Ataman's faith with an amazing performance that broke many of his previous highs in the competition. He finished with 27 points in less than 28 minutes, also adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks for a total PIR of 34. His previous best marks in points, blocks and PIR were 16, 2 and 20, respectively.

“I feel good for the win and for contributing in a big way,” he celebrated after the game. “I was intentional about everything in the preparation and, you know, starting the game. Like you said, I was ready to go. So, I think that's what it took."

Yurtseven knew from the beginning that he had to step up for two reasons; first, to exploit Virtus’s absences in the paint ([Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) and [Ante Zizic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ante-zizic/004554/) couldn’t play), and second, to make Lessort proud.

“Absolutely, absolutely. Shout out to him, and we also miss \[Marius\] Grigonis as well,” the Turkish center recognized. “Hopefully, he'll be back with us soon, but yeah, I think every game we are missing him."

Yurtseven was not the only one who had a good night as [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) also had a great offensive performance with 16 points – 11 in the first quarter – right before the announcement of his contract extension, which came after the final buzzer. Kendrick Nunn scored 27 points, too, with 11 in a row in the last period to break the game apart.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την επέκταση της συνεργασίας της με τον Χουάντσο Ερνανγκόμεθ έως το καλοκαίρι του 2027.<br><br>______________________________________<br><br>Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the extension of its partnership with Juancho Hernangomez until the… <a href="https://t.co/FKkGBxDtgM">pic.twitter.com/FKkGBxDtgM</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1875289928793542822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Overall, Panathinaikos scored a season-high 111 points, the third time in a row that the current Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion has overcome the 100-point barrier in a home game. The Greens had [104 against Baskonia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nunn-shines-again-as-panathinaikos-demolishes-baskonia-104-69/) in Round 17 and [103 against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nunns-39-points-leads-panathinaikos-past-milan-103-74/) two days before. This time, Panathinaikos dished 30 assists, which also marked a record in the current season.

“Altruistic is a strange word, but I would say yeah, we're pretty good teammates, sharing the ball and I think that just comes from wrapping it around," Yurtseven noted. "I think we all trust each other to make the shot, whatever the defense that the opponent throws at us. We just got to trust the next guy."

This win and this offensive explosion came on a night in which the OAKA crowd was out in full force, which created a great atmosphere that not only the players, but also the home coach, enjoyed.

“We started the new year with an amazing game. We started to show \[why\] we were the champions of 2024 and we started like a champion in 2025," Coach Ataman emphasized. “We played like a champion. \[It was a\] great atmosphere. I told before the game it’s not party time, it’s game time. Now at the end of the game, we can make a party until the next game."

The Turkish center had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 34 PIR to help the Greens finish with season highs in points (111) and assists (30)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-01-03T19:15:00.000Z)