Serbia eliminates South Sudan to set up quarterfinals pairings 

Serbia punched its ticket to the quarterfinals with a 96-85 victory over South Sudan on Saturday night at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille. The result finalized the quarterfinals pairings and eliminated South Sudan, which was within 1 point in the fourth quarter before Serbia pulled away with a 19-3 run. In the quarterfinals in Paris, Serbia will face Australia, Germany will take on Greece, Canada will match up with France, and USA plays Brazil.  

Two-time EuroLeague Rising Star Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 30 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting and dished 8 assists to lead the way for Serbia. Nikola Jokic produced 22 points and 13 rebounds, former EuroLeague MVP Vasa Micic added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and Filip Petrusev added 10 points.

Carlik Jones, who has been linked to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, played all 40 minutes and tallied 17 points and 10 assists for South Sudan. Marial Shayok, formerly of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, also scored 17, Nuni Omot added 14 points and Wenyen Gabriel of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv contributed 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Gabriel showcased his range with a three-pointer to open the scoring only to see Jokic match him. Petrusev put Serbia on top with 4 points in a 7-0 run that made it 12-6. South Sudan kept it close and moved in front again on an Omot triple. Omot added free throws to make it 15-18. A layup by Micic lifted Serbia to a 23-22 edge at the end of the first quarter. Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov’s three-point play sparked an 11-0 Serbia run early in the second quarter that made it 34-25. South Sudan rallied through Jones and Majok Deng to even things at 39-39. Jokic put Serbia back in front and Jones capped the first half at 47-44.

Wenyen Gabriel of South Sudan dunks against Serbia. (Photo: FIBA)

Jokic and Bogdanovic upped the Serbia lead to 7 early in the second half and Micic made it 57-49. Gabriel scored twice to wipe away mush of the deficit and bring South Sudan within 59-58. The red-hot Bogdanovic hit back with a pair of three-pointers. Nikola Jovic got involved in stretching the difference to 9. J.T. Thor and Jones drew South Sudan to within 72-67 at the end of the third quarter. Omot and Gabriel made it a 1-point game with the first baskets of the fourth quarter. Serbia pulled away again with 5 points from Bogdanovic. Micic added a three and then gave Serbia a double-digit lead, which continued to rise until it reached 91-74. Threes by Omot and Jones gave South Sudan hope, but they would prove to be too little, too late, as Serbia held on for the win.

 

### Undefeated USA KO’s Puerto Rico

The USA remained undefeated with an 83-104 victory earlier in the day over Puerto Rico, which heads home with a 0-3 record. Puerto Rico led for most of the first quarter and kept it close for half of the second before the Americans closed the second quarter with a monster run to take control of the game for good.

Anthony Edwards starred for the USA with 26 points, Joel Embiid added 15 and LeBron James amassed 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Jose Alvarado paced Puerto Rico with 18 points, Ismael Romero posted 12 points and 10 rebounds and George Conditt of Dreamland Gran Canaria added 4 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  

George Conditt of Puerto Rico shoots over Joel Embiid of USA. (Photo: FIBA)

Alvarado had the hot hand early to give Puerto Rico a 5-2 lead. Tremont Waters got involved before a triple by Alvarado made it 12-6. Stephen Curry powered a 0-7 American run to get back on top, but the Puerto Ricans responded with a run of their own and back-to-back threes by Jordan Howard and Aleem Ford made it 25-17. Edwards helped trim the American deficit to 29-25 after 10 minutes. A Kevin Durant triple gave the USA a slim lead 90 seconds into the second quarter, but Puerto Rico remained feisty and continued to trade buckets with Conditt making it 37-36. Despite a 0-8 run for the USA, Romero and Alvarado kept Puerto Rico close, 43-46. That would prove to be Puerto Rico’s last stand as Devin Booker and James led a 2-18 charge to give their team a commanding 45-64 lead at halftime.

The teams traded shots for the first few minutes of the second half. The USA made a move with an Anthony Davis-led 10-0 run that made it 54-83. Edwards stayed hot to send the USA to a 59-87 lead after three quarters. Little changed in the fourth quarter as the Americans managed the lead and secured the victory to head into the quarterfinals on a high note.

the trio of Filip Petrusev, Ognjen Dobric and Marko Guduric proved important as Serbia cemented its spot in the Olympic quarterfinals.  

Filip Petrusev made his presence count for Serbia

South Sudan was looking to complete a comeback on Saturday when Serbia head coach Svetislav Pesic looked to his bench in the fourth quarter. After Marial Shayok made it 78-74, Pesic brought in four new players over the next two whistles.

First came in the guards: Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and former EuroLeague MVP Vasa Misic. Then the bigs: NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Olympiacos Piraeus’s Filip Petrusev. Joining them on the floor was Ognjen Dobric of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. The result was a game-deciding 13-0 run.

While Micic keyed the run with 7 points, Petrusev more than did his part with a basket, an assist to Micic and a pair of blocked shots. By the time South Sudan scored again, Serbia already had the game in the bag.

Ognjen Dobric of Serbia in action against South Sudan. (Photo: FIBA)

Petrusev finished the game with 10 points on 4-for-4 two-point shooting, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 20 minutes. His +/- of 12 was third on the team training only two teammates from the deciding run: Dobric (15) and Guduric (14).  

While Bogdan Bogdanovic (30 points and 8 assists) and Jokic (22 points and 13 rebounds) posted the big numbers for Serbia, the defense contributed by the trio of Petrusev, Dobric and Guduric proved equally as important as Serbia cemented its spot in the quarterfinals.  

The Olympiacos big man played a big role in the decisive run

On Saturday morning, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan announced the addition of big man David McCormack for the next season. 

Milan bolsters frontcourt with David McCormack

On Saturday morning, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan announced the addition of big man David McCormack for the next season. McCormack (2.08 meters, 25 years old) arrives from Galatasaray Istanbul of Turkey, where he averaged 14.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in the Turkish League. He played 132 games at Kansas Univerity and won the NCAA title in 2022. After his college career, he crossed the pond swiftly and landed in Turkey. Since then, he has played three seasons there with three different teams - Besiktas, Darussafaka and Galatasaray. Now, McCormack is set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Milan next October 3 at AS Monaco.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">&quot;Imparerò da compagni più esperti&quot;: all&#39;Olimpia arriva David McCormack.<br><br>La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo con David McCormack, centro di 2.08, nato il 2 luglio 1999 a New York, proveniente dal Galatasaray Istanbul. <br><br>🇮🇹 Comunicato ufficiale 👉🏻… <a href="https://t.co/sbCp3iLUtC">pic.twitter.com/sbCp3iLUtC</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1819655813385929115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I am excited to join a club with a long history of winning. "McCormack stated. "With the opportunity to learn a lot from teammates who are much more experienced than me and from a coach with a great reputation. I will try to do whatever it takes to help the team continue to win."

In the battle between undefeated teams, Germany got the best of France, 71-85, late Friday in the last game of the Group stage. As such, Germany wins Group B with three wins and no losses, while France dropped to 2-1 but will be in the quarterfinals anyway. Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder led the winners with 26 points apiece in a pair of dominating performances. EuroLeague representative Isaac Bonga had 7 points for Germany. For France, Victor Wembanyama led the way with 14 points and Isaia Cordinier of Virtus Segafredo Bologna added 10.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">World Champions for a reason.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/Sr35kM5gfu">pic.twitter.com/Sr35kM5gfu</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1819474283980333509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Germany started rolling hard in the first half. Wagner and Schroder suited up from the very beginning and after an 18-24 first-quarter lead, the German team kicked up another gear and rolled for a 9-24 that made it 27-48 at the break. There was no stopping Germany in the third quarter either, as both Wagner and Schroder combined for more points (47) than the whole team of France after 30 minutes, 46-69. In the last period, France could catch up a little bit as Germany took it a bit easier and the hosts even managed to win the quarter 25-16, although the deal had been sealed prior.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got the best of Spain on Friday evening (Photo: FIBA)

### Canada eliminates Spain in final stretch

It was a close situation on Friday evening when Canada defeated Spain by 88-85 and advanced to the quarterfinals as Group A champ with three wins in as many games. Spain says goodbye to the tournament after the results combinations earlier in the day forced it to win the game to qualify. This has likely been the last game in the career of legendary Rudy Fernandez.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 20 points and he also scored the last free throws that secured the win for his team. Andrew Nembhard added 18 and RJ Barrett had 16 for the winners. For Spain, FC Barcelona's Dario Brizuela led the way with 17 points and put Spain back in the game almost single-handedly in the last quarter. Real Madrid's Sergio Llull added 13, Barcelona's Alex Abrines contributed 12, his teammate Willy Hernangomez had 10 and Valencia Basket's Jaime Pradilla also posted 10 for Spain.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CANADA 🇨🇦 TOP GROUP A! <br><br>Canada clinch the 1st spot and push Spain 🇪🇸 out of contention in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/e4m7ZrKi1u">pic.twitter.com/e4m7ZrKi1u</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1819419348886286533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Canada started rolling early to a 12-6 lead, but Spain got back on track quick and managed to tie the score after 10 minutes, 19-19. Canada insisted in the second period and this time it was more successful in keeping the Spanish team at bay, as Nembhard and Dillon Brooks took a main role during that second period to lead Canada to a 49-38 edge at the halftime break. In the third quarter, Spain seemed to get back on its feet, especially thanks to Abrines from long range, but Canada managed to still maintain a safe distance after 30 minutes, 64-56.

In the last period, Spain knew it was all or nothing and Brizuela took that to heart. He started to drain baskets with no miss, and he took Spain closer than ever, but Nembhard and Brooks were keeping Canada afloat, also with the help of Gilgeous-Alexander. Pradilla was also contributing some points in the paint for Spain, but on the other side of the court Canada always seemed to find easier scoring options. The last minute started with Spain trailing by three points and Llull took charge conducting the play in offense, but when it seemed that it would go to the wire, Barrett nailed an opean three from the corner to make it 85-80 with 39 seconds to go. Llull had time for another three with 3 seconds remaining for a 86-85, but Gilgeous-Alexander put the game on ice with two free throws and Llull barely had time to attempt a three from halfcourt that missed the mark and had Canada celebrating the first place in Group A.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">24 years of representing Spain 🇪🇸<br><br>Rudy Fernandez puts an end to his glorious <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#basketball</a> career at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <br><br>Muchas gracias, Rudy! 👏 <a href="https://t.co/azzxtUmgYP">pic.twitter.com/azzxtUmgYP</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1819423935609688186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Brazil defeated Japan 84-102 on Friday afternoon at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille behind a monster game from Bruno Caboclo. Brazil won for the first time to finish third in Group B with a 1-2 record, while sending Japan home winless at 0-3. Brazil will now need to wait for the remaining games in Groups A and C to know if it is one of the best two third-place finishers to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

Caboclo, who played for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade last season, posted 15 points and 6 rebounds in the first quarter alone and never let up. He finished the game with 33 points and 17 rebounds. Caboclo shot 4 for 4 on three-pointers. Vitor Benite, a 2023 EuroCup champion with Gran Canaria, added 19 points on 5 for 7 three-point shooting and Marcelinho Huertas had 13 points and 8 assists. Josh Hawkinson paced Japan with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Yuki Kawamura delivered 21 points and 10 assists and Yuta Watanabe had 14 points and 9 boards in defeat.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brazilian KD goes at it 🔥<br><br>🇧🇷 Bruno Caboclo with a game of the tournament! 😳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/1MOMfU8VE0">pic.twitter.com/1MOMfU8VE0</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1819324474824561038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kawamura fed Hawkinson for an alley-oop and then made a three-pointer himself, before Hawkinson gave Japan a 7-2 lead. Caboclo scored half the points in a 0-10 Brazil response to give his team the lead. Kawamura remained hot to bring Japan within 13-14. Caboclo threw in 7 more points in a run of 11 straight for Brazil, which grabbed a double-digit lead and had a 20-31 cushion after 10 minutes. Japan heated up early in the second quarter to draw within 34-36 on a Yudai Baba triple. Benite stepped to the fore for Brazil with 3 three-pointers in another 0-11 run to regain control. Watanabe connected from deep, and Kawamura scored to bring Japan within 6, but a three by Leon Meindl made it 44-55 at the break.

Brazil went ahead 50-66 early in the second half before Hawkinson came alive to trim the gap. Kawamura layup capped a 12-0 Japan run that Caboclo ended with a put back. Japan kept the pressure on and Kawamura drained a three to make it a 2-point game. Free throws by Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Yago Dos Santos gave Brazil a 73-77 edge entering the fourth quarter. Hawkinson drained a three, but Caboclo scored on the next two possessions to keep Brazil ahead. Caboclo added a phenomenal block and a three-pointer to make it 80-88. Huertas extended the difference to double figures and a Caboclo slam pushed the Brazil tally to triple digits as Brazil finished off the win.   

Yago Dos Santos of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in action for Brazil on Friday. (Photo: FIBA)

### Greece holds off Australia for first win

Greece defeated Australia 71-77 for its first win of the tournament, but will have to wait for other results to know if it was enough to advance to the quarterfinals. The result left both teams with 1-2 records.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shined once again for Greece with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Olympiacos Piraeus’s Thomas Walkup scored 18 points, including a key three-pointer and steal down the stretch. Konstantinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Vassilis Toliopoulos of Aris Midea Thessaloniki added 13 points apiece. Jock Landale was Australia’s top scorer with 17 points and Patty Mills contributed 13 in defeat.

 

Konstantinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in action for Greece against Australia and Patty Mills. (Photo: FIBA)

Antetokounmpo opened the scoring and back-to-back three-pointers by Nick Calathes of AS Monaco and Walkup made it 2-8. Landale and Mills kept Australia close, though a pair of baskets by Antetokounmpo maintained a Greek lead. Free throws by Josh Giddey drew the Boomers within 24-25 after 10 minutes. Toliopoulos and Walkup each scored twice to lead a 0-14 run to open the second quarter as Greece took a 24-39 lead. Australia responded, but Mitoglou heated up as the margin grew. Monaco center Georgios Papagiannis left his mark at both ends in the closing minutes of the half to send the teams into the locker rooms with Greece ahead 36-53.

Greece twice went ahead by 19 before Josh Giddey heated up with 5 points as the Boomers clawed to within 47-59. Turk Telekom Ankara forward Vassilis Charalampopoulos and Matthew Dellavedova traded threes to end a low-scoring third quarter at 50-62. A dunk by Landale and a three by Dyson Daniels brought Australia within 7. Antetokounmpo buried an open three and spun through the paint for a layup that made it 55-67. Australia punched right back and a three by Mills made it a 4-point game. Mills came through with another jumper to make it 69-71 with 3 minutes to go. Toliopoulos made a clutch three and Walkup added another with just over a minute remaining and then made a key steal to put the game on ice.

More from the Olympic Games

After the Friday games, six of the eight quarterfinalists of the Olympic tourney in Paris 2024 are known. From Group A it's Canada and Australia. From Group B it's Germany, France and Brazil. From Group C, the United States. Tune in on Saturday as the last two qualifiers will be known after the last two games!

Germany, Canada, Brazil and Greece triumph on Friday

Olympiacos Piraeus guard Thomas Walkup scored 18 points to help Greece beat Australia 71-77 at the Olympic Games

Thomas Walkup starred in Greece’s pivotal win

Facing a must-win game to keep its Olympic hopes alive, Greece was able to count of Thomas Walkup for big plays on both ends of the court on Friday. The Olympiacos Piraeus guard did all he could to lead Greece to its first win of the tournament, 71-77 over Australia at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.

Walkup was second on the team in scoring with 18 points after making 4-of-7 three-pointers. He added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block for a PIR of 20. His +/- of 15 led all players in the game. On the defensive end, Walkup drew a pair of offensive fouls in the second quarter and hounded the Australia guards from tip to buzzer.

Thomas Walkup scores for Greece against Australia. (Photo: FIBA)

He was at the center of Greece big run to start the second quarter with an assist and 5 points, including a three-pointer to cap a 0-11 run that made it 24-39. Later in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, Walkup drained a three that made it 70-77 with a little more than a minute t play. On the next possession, Walkup missed a three that would have put the game away, but made up for it immediately by intercepting a Matthew Dellavedova pass.

Walkup is one of five Olympiacos players at the Olympics and three on the Greek roster. He is joined there by Kostas Papanikolaou and Giannoulis Larentzakis, while Filip Petrusev and Nikola Milutinov play for Serbia. 

The Olympiacos Piraeus guard poured in 18 points against Australia

German League champs FC Bayern Munich announced on Friday morning that it has agreed on a new deal with the German Finals MVP, Carsen Edwards, for the next season including an option for another one. Last season was Edwards' second in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and first with Bayern. He averaged 11.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 34 games, 30 of them as a starter. In 2022-23, Edwards made his EuroLeague debut with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Bayern extends German Finals MVP Carsen Edwards

German League champs FC Bayern Munich announced on Friday morning that it has agreed on a new deal with the German Finals MVP, [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), for the next season including an option for another one. Last season was Edwards' second in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and first with Bayern. He averaged 11.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 34 games, 30 of them as a starter. In 2022-23, Edwards made his EuroLeague debut with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Carsen Edwards Top Plays from 09/01/2023 to 08/02/2024

Best of Carsen Edwards: 2023-24

Edwards had his best perfomance of the season against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan at home. In that game, he had personal highs in 32 points, 36 minutes played and 28 PIR. The point guard will remain in Munich and play alongside familiar faces in the Bayern backcourt, like Andreas Obst or Nick Weiler-Babb but also new ones liks Yam Madar and Ivan Kharchenkov.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are kicking off the weekend with some great news: Our Finals MVP <a href="https://twitter.com/Cboogie_3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cboogie_3</a> has extended his contract with us! 🥳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Edwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Edwards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaderupdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaderupdate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Eurohoopsnet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoilerBall</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Deutscher Meister 🏆 (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1819283039001673865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The point guard will stay in Munich at least one more season.

Here are the games EuroLeague.net staff members are most excited about in April. 

Games I am looking forward to in April 

Here are the games staff members are most excited about in April. They already selected their must-see games for [Round 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-round-1/), [October](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-october/), [November](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-november/), [December](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-december/), [January](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-january/), [February](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/games-i-am-looking-forward-to-in-february/) and March.

### Round 33: Saras can exact some late revenge over Barcelona

*Geoff Gillingham*

In the penultimate round of the regular season, Saras Jasikevicius’s [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25) takes on [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/roster/bar/?season=2024-25), the club the Lithuanian coach left in acrimonious circumstances after the 2022-23 season. In the period between his exit from Palau Blaugrana and taking the job at Fenerbahce in mid-December last year, Jasikevicius wasn’t afraid to reveal his frustration over his departure from Barcelona. Therefore, it would be particularly sweet for the Lithuanian tactician if he is able to affect Barcelona’s seeding – or postseason hopes – by leading Fenerbahce to a victory in this Round 33 matchup.

Fenerbahce has a very strong roster entering the new season and will be hoping to reach back-to-back Final Fours for the first time since making five straight under Zeljko Obradovic between 2015 and 2019. A triumph over Barcelona would be a statement win, one which could instill even more confidence for a Fenerbahce squad aiming to finish the regular season on a high.

 

### Round 33: Monaco's ex-Greens host the champs

*Frankie Sachs*

The drama levels could be very high when we reach April. In this penultimate round of the regular season, both [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25) and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25) could have plenty to play for. Preseason predictions would have them in the fight for the top spots in the standings, but one never knows how vital this game might be.

Just imagine a pack of teams clawing for positions, where the difference between winning and losing could be home-court advantage in the playoffs – or even the difference between the playoffs and Play-In Showdown. And a trio of former Panathinaikos stars – reigning MVP [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), assists king [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and stud center [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) – host the Greens in Round 33! Now that is drama and thus a game I would not want to miss.

Nick Calathes and Mike James took Panathinaikos Athens to the 2017 and 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

2017-18 EuroLeague highlights: Calathes and James, Panathinaikos

### Round 33: The stakes rise with late-season Derby d'Italia

*Igor Petrinovic*

A rivalry game in the penultimate round of the regular season is a real treat and there is no other way to look at [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2024-25) hosting [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/roster/mil/?season=2024-25) in the first week of April. The two proud clubs and former continental champions have faced each other more than 210 times in all competitions, but just four times in the EuroLeague this century. And there are not many things better than two rivals bringing their rich head-to-head history into the EuroLeague… And the competition is better for it. Especially when it also means watching arguably the two best duos of forwards butting heads, with [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) and [Tornike Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tornike-shengelia/001133/) going against Milan's [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/).

Then there is the other thing that comes into play, the recent success of the two teams, or better, lack thereof. Despite big ambitions, neither team has reached the playoffs the past two years. Last season, Virtus was ousted in the Play-In Showdown, while Milan disappointed with a 15-19 record in each of the last two seasons and is determined to put an end to the drought. Being on the EuroLeague menu very late in the regular season, the biggest derby of the Italian basketball carries even more weight. And I am all for it.

 

### Round 34: Partizan, Real to finish regular season with a bang

*Javier Gancedo*

Tradition and rivalry come together when [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/roster/mad/?season=2024-25) visits [Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-nis-belgrade/roster/par/?season=2024-25) at Stark Arena in the teams’ regular-season finale. Real won its first road game against Partizan 87-100 on February 14, 1980. Belgrade Arena hosted the [2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/eb-final-four-2018/), in which Real won its 10th EuroLeague championship behind an unstoppable [Luka Doncic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/luka-doncic/005929/). Two seasons ago, Real arrived in Belgrade with a 0-2 deficit in its best-of-five playoff series against Partizan, won twice on the road and advanced to the Final Four with a memorable come-from-behind victory in Madrid.

While already missing the talents of Kevin Punter via suspension, Partizan try to cope without Aleksa Avramović after a hand injury versus a Los Blancos outfit led by the towering Walter Tavares and bidding to repeat the heroics in the previous encounter and level the tie.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs Real Madrid - Playoffs Game 4 - Highlights

The fact that this is the final game of the regular season should add a lot of spice to the showdown. Real has done well against Partizan in Belgrade, winning its last three games. [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) played a decisive role in the 2023 playoffs, and [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) led Real to back-to-back wins over Partizan in the 2023-24 season. It is always special to host Real and Partizan fans will be ready to deliver a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Last season's [Alexander Gomelskiy EuroLeague Coach of the Year](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/chus-mateo-is-voted-by-his-peers-as-the-euroleague-coach-of-the-year/) award winner Chus Mateo goes against nine-time champion Zeljko Obradovic. At this point of the pre-season, being under the April skies seems far away but this game checks all the boxes to guarantee a good time, both at Stark Arena and in front of your TV. Circle it in your EuroLeague calendar!

Now that the schedule for the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season has been unveiled, EuroLeague.net's staff is eyeing all the mouth-watering action.

Games I am looking forward to in April

Serbia led from tip to buzzer in routing Puerto Rico 66-107 on Wednesday at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille. The win lifted Serbia to 1-1 at the Olympic Games and dropped Puerto Rico to 0-2. The teams that finish first and second in each group as well as the two third-place teams with the best records will all advance to the quarterfinals on Tuesday, August 6.

Filip Petrusev of Olympiacos Piraeus scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and Nikola Jokic tallied 14 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists to pace seven Serbia scorers in double figures. All 12 Serbian players scored. Christopher Ortiz was the top scorer for Puerto Rico with 19 points.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Serbia 🇷🇸 roll past Puerto Rico 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/hZ0TJ2jovA">pic.twitter.com/hZ0TJ2jovA</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1818693937642484159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Petrusev was on point early with 8 points in the first 3 minutes as Serbia raced to a 4-10 start. A Bogdan Bogdanovic triple gave Serbia its first double-digit lead, 6-17, and Olympiacos center Nikola Milutinov’s dunk made it 12-24 after 10 minutes. A pair of Ortiz threes gave Puerto Rico hope at 18-26, but former EuroLeague MVP Vasa Micic scored twice and found Milutinov for a slam in a 0-11 run as Serbia pulled away. Jokic added 8 points in the last 2-and-a-half minutes of the second quarter as Serbia took a comfortable 35-52 halftime lead.   

Aleksa Avramovic had the hot hand early in the third quarter and then it was Nikola Jovic as the margin continued to grow, reaching 51-79 with 10 minutes remaining. Milutinov pushed the difference to 30 and Serbia continued to extend its advantage until the final buzzer sounded.

Nikola Milutinov was 1 rebound shy of a double-double against Puerto Rico. (Photo: FIBA)

### USA races past South Sudan

The United Stats of America clinched a spot in the quarterfinals by beating South Sudan 103-86 in Wednesday’s late game. The Americans sit atop the group at 2-0 and South Sudan is 1-1. Bam Adebayo led the winners with 18 points, Kevin Durant scored 14 and Anthony Edwards 13. The top scorer for South Sudan was Nuni Omot with 24 points, Carlik Jones, who has been linked to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade for the coming season, produced 18 points and 7 assists, Bul Kuol added 16 and Wenyen Gabriel of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv collected 10 rebounds before fouling out.

LeBron James scored the game’s first 4 points as the Americans went up 6-0, but South Sudan responded with a 0-7 run and led again 8-10 after a Marial Shayok triple. Durant came off the bench and made an instant impact to give the USA the lead. A Derrick White triple extended the margin to double figures and Adebayo made it 26-14 after 10 minutes. Adebayo and Durant continued to shine, leading what became a 25-4 run.  Peter Jok knocked down a three as South Sudan continued to fight. Omot heated up, but the best South Sudan could do was trade baskets. Adebayo’s three from the corner made it 53-33 and the scoreboard showed 55-36 at halftime.

Carlik Jones of South Sudan drives past Stephen Curry of USA. (Photo: FIBA)

Jayson Tatum gave the USA a 21-point lead to open the second half, but soon a pair of threes by Kuol helped South Sudan trim the gap. More triples by Omot and JT Thor made it 62-52. Edwards stepped up for the Americans, who pushed the difference back up to 19. Shayok’s three-point play ended the third quarter at 73-57. South Sudan reeled off 8 straight points to get within 77-66, but that was as close as it would get. The Americans made one more push to take the margin to 22 and wrap up the win.

The four teams in Group C all played their second games on Wednesday

Serbia, USA win big on Wednesday

Leading the way for Serbian in its 66-107 win over Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games was Olympiacos Piraeus big man Filip Petrusev, who finished the game with 15 points and 9 rebounds

Serbia’s Filip Petrusev had his Olympic star turn against Puerto Rico

Serbia claimed an impressive first win at the Olympic Games on Wednesday by crushing Puerto Rico 66-107 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille. All 12 Serbia players scored, but leading the way for the winners was Olympiacos Piraeus big man [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/), who finished the game with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

The numbers were impressive, especially considering his 7 for 9 shooting. Petrusev posted a PIR of 20, which was second on the team to NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. What makes those numbers stand out even more is the fact that Petrusev did it all in just 16 minutes, which were  the fourth-fewest among the Serbians.


Petrusev was active from the start, securing a defensive rebound on the game’s first possessions and taking a Jokic pass for a second-chance score for the game’s first points. He had 8 points in the game’s first 3 minutes as Serbia went ahead 4-10 and would add yet another bucket before taking his first rest.

The big man added a jumper and a free throw late in the second quarter to help Serbia take a commanding 35-52 halftime advantage. Petrusev scored once more in the third quarter before taking a seat for good. He was not needed at all in the game’s final quarter and a half.

Serbia has one more game remaining against South Sudan in Group C on Saturday night and Coach Pesic knows he can count on Petrusev to deliver again when needed.

The Olympiacos big man led his team in scoring on Wednesday