A heavyweight finale to the regular season will see Olympiacos Piraeus (21-12) battle for the hope of keeping its slender top-four ambitions alive with a visit from a Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20-13) team that can no longer fight for that prize. 

Olympiacos and Fenerbahce collide with at least 5th place at stake

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/olympiacos-piraeus-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/305/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-facts-oly-ulk/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-notes-oly-ulk/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-prequotes-oly-ulk/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-34/)

Fenerbahce prevailed in their Round 6 showdown in Istanbul, with 15 points from [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) helping ensure a 79-77 triumph. But Olympiacos has a new weapon in the paint since then, with mid-season arrival [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) showing his value by pouring in a personal best 20 points to lead last week's victory over Zvezda. The Reds boast the league's best defensive record, with just 74.8 points allowed per game, and will have to particularly focus on perimeter defense against a Fenerbahce team that leads the league in three-point shooting accuracy (39.5%), led by [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) who has at least 4 triples in five of the last six games.

[Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Fenerbahce Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/statistics/ulk/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Thomas Walkup vs. Nick Calathes: A clash of floor generals

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul grabbed an important 79-77 victory at home against Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 6 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season to extend its winning streak to four games. The hosts improved to a 5-1 record, while Olympiacos dropped to 3-3.

Fenerbahce Istanbul-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 6 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

A heavyweight finale to the regular season will see Olympiacos (21-12) battle for the hope of keeping its slender top-four ambitions alive with a visit from a Fenerbahce (20-13) team that can no longer fight for that prize. 

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-04-12T18:15:00.000Z)

After sealing a top-four finish with last week's thrilling victory over Maccabi, FC Barcelona (22-11) will look to head into the playoffs on a high with a trip to dangerous LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (8-25). 

ASVEL to finish its season against playoff-bound Barcelona

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-fc-barcelona/E2023/304/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-facts-asv-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-notes-asv-bar/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-prequotes-asv-bar/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-34/)

The French team is enjoying a decent finish to an otherwise disappointing season, producing its biggest win to date by thrashing Valencia on the road in Round 33 behind 21 points from [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/). Barca will also be wary of the all-round threat posed by its former player [DeShaun Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/deshaun-thomas/005094/), who has averaged PIR of 20.3 in his last three games. In addition to the long-range shooting exploits of last week's game-winning hero [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/), Barca will look to control the tempo through its tandem of big men, [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who both scored in double digits in a 101-92 victory over ASVEL in December.

[ASVEL Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/statistics/asv/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Joffrey Lauvergne vs. Willy Hernangomez: Two powerful men in the paint

Second-placed Barça search for six home wins in a row versus next-to-bottom ASVEL. Nando De Colo authored a stunning winner in the previous season's game and his return from injury coincides with Rokas Jokubaitis also harbouring fitness issues and doubts whether he'll be ready for the backcourt duel.

FC Barcelona-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | Round 11 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

After sealing a top-four finish with last week's thrilling victory over Maccabi, Barcelona (22-11) will look to head into the playoffs on a high with a trip to dangerous ASVEL (8-25). 

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v FC Barcelona (2024-04-12T19:00:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (15-18) will look for the victory it needs to have any chance of qualifying for postseason action with a visit from Valencia Basket (14-19), whose chances for the postseason were lost last week, resulting in the departure of head coach Alex Mumbru.

Partizan faces potentially-critical showdown with Valencia

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade-valencia-basket/E2023/306/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-facts-par-val/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-game-notes-par-val/) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs34-prequotes-par-val/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-34/)

The Spanish team will be led by new coach Albert Oliver. Valencia suffered a 67-72 home loss to Partizan earlier in the season. [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) inspired that triumph with 13 points and 9 rebounds, and he has struck top form with an average of 17 points in the last four games. The Serbian team will also look for another strong performance from [James Nunnally](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/james-nunnally/007400/), who shrugged off indifferent recent form by recording 19 points in last week's win at ALBA. Valencia's best chance of success lies with [Chris Jones](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chris-jones/010568/), the only player with double digits PIR in Round 33's humbling defeat to ASVEL.

[Partizan Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/statistics/par/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Valencia Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/valencia-basket/statistics/pam/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Perry Dozier vs. Justin Anderson: EuroLeague rookies go head-to-head

Martin Hermannsson made his first appearance for Valencia as exhibited outstanding defense to claim victory at Olympiacos. They move onto prolific Partizan, which boasts the league's second-best attack and are boosted by the return of Kevin Punter, who's proved pivotal in his last three encounters.

Valencia Basket-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | Round 15 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Partizan (15-18) will look for the victory it needs to have any chance of qualifying for postseason action with a visit from Valencia (14-19), whose chances for the postseason were lost last week, resulting in the departure of head coach Alex Mumbru.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v Valencia Basket (2024-04-12T18:30:00.000Z)

The 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season comes to an end with a lot of meaningful games that will determine that final playoffs and play-in picture. Of course, it is not the end of the road for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge, as the game continues until a champion is crowned in Berlin, Germany, next month. This is the last round with three trades. After that, unlimited trades will be the rule until the end of the season. Here are our fantasy recommendations before Round 34.

Round 34 fantasy tips: A really tricky one!

The 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season comes to an end with a lot of meaningful games that will determine that final playoffs and play-in picture. Of course, it is not the end of the road for the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home), as the game continues until a champion is crowned in Berlin, Germany, next month. This is the last round with three trades. After that, unlimited trades will be the rule until the end of the season. Here are our fantasy recommendations before Round 34.

[Will Clyburn, Anadolu Efes Istanbul (14.7 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/)

Efes knows it will keep fighting for EuroLeague glory with a victory. It earned that right by playing really well in the last few weeks, in which Clyburn played a major role. Clyburn earned Round 33 MVP honors, and has averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 25.0 in the last two games. Solid choice.

[Alessandro Pajola, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (6.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alessandro-pajola/006739/)

Virtus and Baskonia go against each other for the eighth place in the standings, which will allow the winner to have two chances to qualify to the playoffs. Pajola might see extended playing time to guard Codi Miller-McIntyre. He has been playing well, too, averaging a PIR of 13.0 in the last couple of games.

Will Clyburn, Moustapha Fall, Aleksa Avramovic, Marius Grigonis and Alessandro Pajola are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Round 34

[Marius Grigonis, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (8.9 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/)

Grigonis signed a contract extension with Panathinaikos and goes against his former team, ALBA Berlin. Panathinaikos would seal home-court advantage in the playoffs with a victory, too. It all seems to work in Grigonis's favor to bounce back and shoot the lights out and he did against ALBA in Berlin (PIR 19) in Round 7.

[Moustapha Fall, Olympiacos Piraeus (13.3 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/)

Olympiacos and Fenerbahce play a critical game at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Fall has a size advantage against Johnathan Motley but not against Georgios Papagiannis, who should not feel very comfortable being a former Panathinaikos star. We expect Fall to be effective and rock-solid in this critical game.

[Aleksa Avramovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (7.2 credits)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/aleksa-avramovic/003983/)

Partizan will play on Friday and Partizan might be eliminated by then. Even if it is, the team will be ready to give its best in its final EuroLeague home game of the season. Valencia switched coaches and scored 111 points in Spanish League action... and if it is a fast-paced game, Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic knows who to call: ALEKSAAAAA!

Zalgiris Kaunas center Laurynas Birutis has signed a one-year contract extension, which includes an option for a further season. 

Laurynas Birutis pens extension at Zalgiris Kaunas

Zalgiris Kaunas has confirmed that [Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/) has signed a one-year contract extension, taking his new deal until the end of the 2024-25 season. It also includes an option for the 2025-26 campaign.

Birutis has established himself as one of the most exciting big men in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, posting 7.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and a 9.0 PIR in 15:12 minutes per night in 33 appearances this season. That's an increase across the board compared to last year, when he averaged 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and a 7.1 PIR in 13:07 minutes per game in 37 contests, starting once.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris has renewed the contract (1+1) with big man Laurynas Birutis! 🦾 <a href="https://t.co/clXN4q1LHN">pic.twitter.com/clXN4q1LHN</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1777712603835306418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His only other EuroLeague campaign was his first year in the competition back in 2018-19, which saw him average 2.7 points and a 1.9 PIR in 6:56 minutes in 17 appearances, all of which came from the bench.

“I feel good here. Zalgiris is one of the best organizations in Europe, we have a great fan base, so the motivation to stay in Kaunas is high,” Birutis told the club's official media. "I grew up in Zalgiris's youth system. Although I didn’t get to the main team by the most direct route, I found my place here. It also gives me an extra boost.”

The best plays of Zalgiris Kaunas center Laurynas Birutis in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Birutis's top plays in 2023-24

### Setting career bests

The appointment of Andrea Trincheri as Zalgiris head coach in late December led to an uptick in Birutis's performances. Since the Italian's arrival, the 26-year-old has gone on to post career highs in PIR (28 vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 22) and rebounds (10 vs. Fenerbahce in Round 22). He also matched his career-best mark in scoring under Trinchieri, which he first set under Kazys Maksvytis in Round 16 against FC Barcelona, by netting 18 points in a Round 24 triumph against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

“Our goal is to give Lithuanian players who care about Zalgiris and want to play in Kaunas the opportunity to develop at the highest level," said Coach Trinchieri after the extension was confirmed. "Laurynas has had many good games this year, he had had some bad ones, but that is to be expected from a player who is still developing. I am happy that we will continue to have a player with an upward curve in the team."

More Zalgiris News

Laurynas Birutis shoots a free throw during a Zalgiris Kaunas game in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

The center has had a breakout season this year

Laurynas Birutis pens extension at Zalgiris

Having a stellar regular season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is impressive, but doesn’t necessarily translate to a Final Four triumph. So while all the other teams in the last round are still fighting for their final seeding in the playoffs or the Play-In Showdown, Real Madrid has other things in mind.

The competition’s history is filled with examples of teams dominating the regular season but failing in the end to stay on top. Since the change of the format and the abolition of the Top 16 phase back in the 2016-17 season, the top team in the standings at the end of the regular season has never won the trophy.

[MORE...](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1656394/real-madrid-aims-to-break-the-top-seed-curse/)

Having the top spot in the regular season so far doesn’t mean you will also win the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Real Madrid aims to break the top-seed curse

Round 34 of the EuroLeague season is a tricky one for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers. That’s where EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs step in to help.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Closing out the regular season

Round 34 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season is a tricky one for [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) managers. Some teams have everything to play for. Some have nothing but pride. And there are teams whose fate may change before they take the floor on Friday, leaving fantasy managers to roll the dice. That’s where EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs step in.

Gancedo and Sachs look at all nine games in Round 34 and break down their meaning for the clubs and for the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge. They also recommend which players to grab from those matchups and which to steer clear of. It’s the prefect companion for all Fantasy Challenge managers as you build your rosters. Buckle up and get ready for Round 34 by listening to episode No. 30 of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast.  

Euroleague Masterminds, presented by Motorola, talks to five Turkish Airlines EuroLeague head coaches about their philosophy and tactics.

The third instalment of this series, following episodes one and two with Zeljko Obradovic and Ioannis Sfairopoulos, respectively, sees Ettore Messina impart his wisdom after 47 years as a coach and four EuroLeague championship successes.

“I was not a player. I stopped very early, when I was 17, because they offered me to try to become a coach,” Messina recalls. “I try to learn every day from my players to see how they behave, how they react, how they think. Most of the talented teams play extremely simple but extremely efficient, with a lot of attention to the details.”

In the coming weeks, Euroleague Masterminds, presented by Motorola, will feature episodes from two-time champion Pablo Laso of FC Bayern Munich and four-time Final Four qualifier Sarunas Jasikevicius of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, who follow Obradovic, Sfairopoulos and Messina in taking you inside the mind of an elite head coach.

The Milan boss explains some of his go-to plays as part of the Euroleague Masterminds series

Ettore Messina: ‘I try to learn every day from my players’

On this day, 20 years ago, Derrick Sharp buried a dramatic buzzer-beater launched a Maccabi Tel Aviv dynasty

Remembering Derrick Sharp's miracle shot

No conversation about the greatest baskets in EuroLeague history can be complete without [Derrick Sharp](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/derrick-sharp/aou/)'s miracle three-pointer for [Maccabi Tel Aviv against Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2003-04/maccabi-elite-tel-aviv-zalgiris/E2003/215/#boxscore), which took place exactly 20 years ago, on April 8, 2004.

It was a winner-take-all clash at Maccabi's home court in Tel Aviv to reach the Final Four, which would take place at that very same spot three weeks later. And while I have borne witness to many exciting buckets and dramatic finishes over the years, none topped this one.

Let's set the stage. The EuroLeague format was a bit different back then; teams were drawn into regular season groups and then advanced to the Top 16, which was comprised of four groups of four. Each group winner advanced to the Final Four.

Group G was made up of Maccabi, Zalgiris, Valencia Basket and Ulker Istanbul. Entering the sixth and final round, Maccabi and Zalgiris were tied with 3-2 records and only the winner of this Top 16 finale would continue to play.

There was little doubt in Tel Aviv who would win. The Final Four was already sold out and the city was abuzz with anticipation. Players had already made plans to fly in loved ones for the big event.

Zalgiris, however, was far from a pushover. It had defeated Maccabi 78-70 in Kaunas just a month earlier, led by [Ed Cota](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ed-cota/baw/) and the legendary [Arvydas Sabonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arvydas-sabonis/ayo/). And the Lithuanian champions were not afraid of the challenge that awaited them in Tel Aviv.

Led by Maccabi's star Lithuanian guard, Sarunas Jasikevicius, the home team flexed its offensive muscles early, scoring 30 first-quarter points to take the lead. However, Zalgiris stepped up on defense, limiting Maccabi to a combined 28 points over the next two quarters, and took a six-point lead heading into the fourth.

Nokia Arena, as Maccabi's home was then known, continued to believe, but as time passed and Zalgiris continued to score, the hosts' chances started to dwindle. Down by 5 points with 18.9 seconds left, star guard Anthony Parker split free throws. Seconds later, Cota made 2 free throws to make it 86-92.

Saras scored three the old-fashioned way, but with every necessary foul, Maccabi was growing weaker, as Parker and then Jasikevicius fouled out. The latter went out with 2.2 seconds left and, on his way to the bench, stopped to congratulate Zalgiris coach Antanas Sireika.

"In all of our eyes, the game was already lost," Jasikevicius later admitted in the Symphony in Yellow documentary.

The score was 91-94 and stepping to the line was [Giedrius Gustas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/giedrius-gustas/acr/), who entering that game was perfect in 17 trips to the foul line that season. If Gustas made just 1 free throw, it would be a two-possession game. For Maccabi to reach the Final Four, it would need a miracle.

Gustas missed the first, but few got their hopes up knowing that even if he missed the second, 2.2 seconds was not enough time to control the rebound and get off a good shot to tie the game. However, Maccabi center [Nikola Vujcic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-vujcic/apb/), who had been complaining during the game that Zalgiris big man [Tanoka Beard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tanoka-beard/btr/) was entering the lane early, said something to one of the referees before the second shot. Amazingly, Gustas missed again and Beard crashed the glass for the offensive rebound. The referee whistled for a violation. Maccabi would get the ball back.

Unlike today, when a timeout lets you move the ensuing inbound into the frontcourt, in those days Maccabi had to start from under the basket.

Gur Shelef took the ball out for Maccabi. Two players, Sharp and [Tal Burstein](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tal-burstein/aoy/), were in the area Shelef aimed for when he heaved his three-quarters court baseball pass.

"It's almost like the ball came directly to me. It barely missed, I think, \[Zalgiris defender Ainars\] Bagatskis's hands and another player's. Right over their fingertips," Sharp recalled. "And it just came, boom. Right to me."

Sharp, the smallest player on the floor, grabbed the ball, dribbled once, turned and shot a three-pointer on the buzzer to tie the game and change the course of history.

The score was 94-94, but it did not feel that way to either team or the fans in the building.

"The reaction is like, 'We won the game.' And for us, it was like, 'We won the game!' And for Zalgiris, it was like, 'We lost the game,'" Sharp explained. "The gym was back to life. At that point, I knew we were going to win the game. There was no doubt."

In overtime, Vujcic scored 4 points and dished 2 assists, [Maceo Baston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/maceo-baston/bmp/) tallied 4 points and a critical block and Burstein also scored 4 as Maccabi outscored Zalgiris 13-5 to win the game, advance to the Final Four and launch a dynasty that proceeded with a record-breaking title-game victory that season, a successful title defense the next, and another appearance in the championship game in 2006.

Shelef shared that after the game, one of his friends told him: "This game, they will remember it years and years and years."

And 20 years later we continue to remember.