Olympiacos BC extended its winning streak against Panathinaikos BC to eight games by edging past its rival 76-74 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Friday night.

Olympiacos holds off Panathinaikos to claim the Greek derby, 76-74

Olympiacos Piraeus extended its winning streak against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to eight games by edging past its rival 76-74 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Friday night. The hosts led for most of the game and were up by as many as 17 points (58-39) with 3:38 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Panathinaikos showed character and bounced back in the fourth, making it a one-possession game in the closing stages, but didn’t manage to complete the comeback.

Having also won away at Panathinaikos earlier this season, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague leader claimed the head-to-head advantage while also mathematically sealed a top-six spot, improving its record to 22-7. Meanwhile, the guests dropped to 18-11 in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Sasha Vezenkov paced Olympiacos with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Nigel Williams-Goss scored 14 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. Kostas Papanikolaou netted 11 and Moustapha Fall added 10. For Panathinaikos, Konstantinos Mitoglou scored a team-high 18 points, Cedi Osman recorded 13, 9 of which were scored in the first quarter, Lorenzo Brown poured in 11 and Juancho Hernangomez had 10.

Game Videos

It was raining triples in the opening stages of the Greek derby, with Papanikolaou and Williams-Goss responding to a couple of Osman three-pointers by hitting one each before Vezenkov netted four straight points for a 10-6 lead. Williams-Goss added four points to his tally, extending Olympiacos’s early surge to 15-0 for an 18-6 cushion. Osman scored inside to end that run, but Fall netted at the other end for a 20-9 lead after 10 minutes.

Tibor Pleiss opened his account with a mid-range jumper, but Peters responded with one of his own and Papanikolaou drilled a triple that extended Olympiacos’s advantage to 25-11. Kostas Sloukas netted four straight points off the bench, but Shaquielle McKissic answered with a triple, 28-15. Vezenkov completed a four-point play, yet Panathinaikos responded with a 0-8 run fueled by Hernangomez, who brought the guests within 33-25. But Fall dunked before three points by Vezenkov gave Olympiacos a 38-27 cushion at halftime.

Game News

Mitoglou and Papanikolaou traded triples before Osman and Williams-Goss exchanged buckets inside, with Vezenkov scoring four straight points for a 47-32 lead. Sloukas responded with a three-point play, then buckets by Lorenzo Brown and Wenyen Gabriel cut the difference to 50-39. Luca Vildoza drained a corner triple before setting up Fall for a dunk that extend Olympiacos’s lead to 58-39. Yet, Brown nailed a three and a pair of transition buckets from Mitoglou and Kendrick Nunn brought Panathinaikos within 58-48. But Nikola Milutinov netted inside and Vildoza made 2 of 2 from the line to make it 62-50 heading into the closing quarter.

Saben Lee opened the fourth with four straight points – his first in an Olympiacos jersey – and Milutinov slam-dunked for a 68-54 cushion. Brown replied with four straight points and Nunn scored in transition to bring Panathinaikos within 70-59. Brown and Mitoglou drilled back-to-back triples before a couple of free throws from the latter slashed the deficit to 74-69. Fall slammed home a dunk, but Nunn nailed a triple and Mitoglou scored inside to make it 76-74 with 34 seconds left on the clock. Milutinov missed inside, but Sloukas couldn’t hit what would have been the game-winning triple as Olympiacos clinched the victory.

The Reds registered their eighth-straight victory against their rivals

Olympiacos Piraeus v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-03-14T19:15:00.000Z)

KK Crvena zvezda will be without center Joel Bolomboy heading into the final stretch of the regular season after he suffered an ankle strain in his team's 80-82 defeat to Olimpia Milano on Thursday night.

Joel Bolomboy out 3-6 weeks with ankle sprain

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/) will be without center [Joel Bolomboy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/joel-bolomboy/009035/) heading into the final stretch of the regular season after he suffered an ankle strain in his team's [80-82 defeat to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-claws-out-huge-win-over-crvena-zvezda-80-82/) on Thursday night.

Bolomboy went down with an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter, with 1:27 minutes remaining, and had to be carried off the court by teammates Codi Miller-McIntyre and John Brown.

"Our club's center, Joel Bolomboy, has suffered a moderate-to-severe ankle sprain, with no signs of a fracture, which will require 3-6 weeks on the sidelines depending on the speed of his recovery," Crvena Zvezda announced on Friday.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">Центар Црвене звезде Меридианбет Џоел Боломбој доживео је у четвртак увече повреду стопала на утакмици са Арманијем због које је морао да напусти терен и након указане прве помоћи је послат на додатне прегледе.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/pZlnxXoqjD">https://t.co/pZlnxXoqjD</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1900626905658778064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Now in his second season with Crvena Zvezda, Bolomboy has made 18 appearances in the EuroLeague during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 10.2 points, a league-best 8.3 rebounds and just shy of 1 rebound per game (0.9 RPG). 

The Serbian side currently sits sixth in the EuroLeague standings, the final position that guarantees a place in the playoffs, with a 16-13 record. However, it is on a three-game losing skid ahead the final five games of the regular season.

More Crvena Zvezda News

The Crvena Zvezda big man may be done for the regular season

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2025-03-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2025-03-26T19:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2025-03-20T18:00:00.000Z)

All the latest injury news surrounding all registered players in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague injury report: Round 29

Follow all the latest injury information for registered players in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, as reported by the clubs, and get your [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home?_ga=2.101462721.1199459303.1696273873-903329349.1669636775) teams up to date!

### ALBA Berlin

ALBA has its full roster available for its game against Baskonia on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Jonas Mattisseck missed Round 28.
- Tim Schneider missed Round 28.
- [New signing Robert Baker](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/alba-berlin-registers-robert-baker-before-deadline/) made his EuroLeague debut in Round 28.

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Efes has its full roster available for its game at Bayern on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Ridvan Oncel last played in Round 14.
- Dogus Ozdemiroglu last played in Round 25.

### AS Monaco

Monaco has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Maccabi on Thursday.

- Nick Calathes last played in Round 26.
- Vitto Brown has last played in Round 22 but is back practicing again.

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Baskonia has not yet sent an injury report for its game at ALBA on Thursday.

- Kamar Baldwin missed Rounds 27 and 28 after suffering a foot injury while on international duty.
- Ousmane Ndiaye has been loaned out to Granada, [the club announced on February 27](https://x.com/Baskonia/status/1895050149593764178).

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade

Luka Mitrovic and Mike Daum are ruled out for Crvena Zvezda's game against Milan on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Luka Mitrovic last played in Round 26 due to a knee problem.
- Branko Lazic last played in Round 15 but has recovered from injury.
- Mike Daum, who last played in Round 18, has undergone knee surgery, the club announced on January 9.

### EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Nikola Mirotic is a game-time decision while Freddie Gillespie and Josh Nebo are ruled out for Milan's game at Crvena Zvezda on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Nikola Mirotic left Milan's Round 28 game with a coccyx injury.
- Freddie Gillespie also left Milan's Round 28 game after a scary fall.
- Armoni Brooks missed Round 28 as a late scratch but returned to action in Italian League
- Ousmane Diop missed Rounds 27 and 28.
- [Josh Nebo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/josh-nebo-to-be-reevaluated-in-3-4-weeks/) suffered another injury in Round 17 and is expected to miss extended time, according to coach Ettore Messina.

### FC Barcelona

[Kevin Punter has been cleared to play](https://x.com/FCBbasket/status/1900621888755245554) while Juan Nunez, Jan Vesely and Nico Laprovittola remain out for Barcelona's game against Partizan on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Juan Nunez is out for the rest of the season [after undergoing knee surgery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-juan-nunez-done-for-season-after-knee-surgery/).
- [Kevin Punter suffered a shoulder injury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcas-punter-sidelined-by-shoulder-injury/) during the Spanish Cup and has [reportedly rejoined team practices](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/euroliga/20250312/1002424309/dudas-barca-sobre-kevin-punter.html).
- [Jan Vesely is expected to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/barcelona-jan-vesely-out-8-10-weeks/) due to a knee injury, the club announced in early February.
- [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nico-laprovittola-to-undergo-knee-surgery/) was ruled out for the season due to an ACL and meniscus injury.

### FC Bayern Munich

Bayern has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Efes on Friday.

- Oscar da Silva, who last played in Round 27, is out for 'the coming weeks', the club announced on March 6.
- Devin Booker last played in Round 24 as he has been out with a minor knee injury.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

Scottie Wilbekin is Fenerbahce's only absentee for its game against ASVEL on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Arturs Zagars did not play in Round 28.
- [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-confirms-the-worst-scottie-wilbekin-has-torn-his-acl/) tore his ACL in Round 1 and is out long term.

### LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

ASVEL has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Fenerbahce on Thursday.

- Theo Maledon exited ASVEL's Round 28 game with a finger injury.
- [Charles Kahudi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/charles-kahudi-out-for-four-weeks-with-groin-injury/) last played in Round 14.
- [Mbaye Ndiaye ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/mbaye-ndiaye-ldlc-asvel-out-for-several-months-with-knee-injury/)has ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is likely out for the season.

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Jasiel Rivero and Jaylen Hoard are out, while John DiBartolomeo is a game time decision for Maccabi's game against Monaco on Thursday.

- Jasiel Rivero has suffered a broken ankle, [Maccabi announced on March 11](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabi-loses-jasiel-rivero-to-broken-ankle/).
- John DiBartolomeo is game time decision due to a back pain.
- Rokas Jokubaitis last played in Round 26, but he is not listed on the injury report.
- Rafi Menco last played in Round 26, but he is not listed on the injury report.
- Jaylen Hoard has been out with a hamstring injury since [the club announced it on January 29](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/maccabis-jaylen-hoard-suffers-another-torn-hamstring/).

### Olympiacos Piraeus

Thomas Walkup, Keenan Evans and Moses Wright are ruled out for Olympiacos's game against Panathinaikos on Friday, the club has confirmed.

- Keenan Evans has been registered. He has not played this season after undergoing knee surgery last May.
- Thomas Walkup (back) last played in Round 20.
- [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/moses-wright-out-for-the-season-with-health-issue/) is out for the season with a health issue.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Panathinaikos has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Olympiacos on Friday.

- [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-loses-center-yurtseven/) suffered a leg injury on January 20, which will sideline him for six to eight weeks.
- [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/all-euroleague-center-mathias-lessort-leaves-game-with-leg-injury/) suffered a broken fibula in Round 17 and will miss several months.
- Marius Grigonis (lower back surgery) has not played since Round 4.

### Paris Basketball

Paris has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Zalgiris on Thursday.

- Collin Malcolm last played in Round 26.
- Enzo Shahrvin last played in Round 23.

### Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Isaac Bonga and Mitar Bosnjakovic are out for Partizan's game at Barcelona on Friday.

- Isaac Bonga last played in Round 26 after suffering a hand injury while playing for the German national team.
- Frank Ntilikina, who last played in Round 20, has returned to action in the domestic league.
- Mitar Bosnjakovic, who last played in Round 16, has suffered another injury.

### Real Madrid

Real Madrid has not yet sent an injury report for its game at Virtus on Thursday.

- [Gaby Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-loses-gabriel-deck-to-torn-hamstring/) last played in Round 18 after tearing his hamstring.
- Xavier Rathan-Mayes did not play in Round 28.

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Will Clyburn remains out and will miss Virtus's game against Real Madrid on Thursday, the club has confirmed.

- Marco Belinelli did not play in Round 28.
- Rayjon Tucker did not play in Round 28.
- [Will Clyburn is out until mid-March](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/will-clyburn-virtus-bologna-out-at-least-10-weeks-with-foot-injury/) due to a foot injury.

### Zalgiris Kaunas

Zalgiris has not yet sent an injury report for its game against Paris on Thursday.

- [New signing Isaiah Wong](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-adds-scoring-punch-with-isaiah-wong/) made EuroLeague debut in Round 28.
- Lukas Lekavicius (groin) last played in Round 26.

Stay up to date with the latest information provided by the EuroLeague clubs

Injury report, Round 29: Punter cleared to play, Olympiacos remain without trio, Bonga still out

FC Barcelona v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2025-03-14T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-03-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2025-03-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Real Madrid (2025-03-13T19:45:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v AS Monaco (2025-03-13T19:05:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2025-03-13T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Paris Basketball (2025-03-13T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2025-03-13T17:45:00.000Z)

## Friday, March 14

### [Olympiacos Piraeus 76-74 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/olympiacos-piraeus-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2024/259/)

Olympiacos extended its winning streak against Panathinaikos to eight games by edging past its rival 76-74 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Friday night. The hosts led for most of the game and were up by as many as 17 points (58-39) with 3:38 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Panathinaikos showed character and bounced back in the fourth, making it a one-possession game in the closing stages, but didn’t manage to complete the comeback.

Having also won away at Panathinaikos earlier this season, the EuroLeague leader claimed the head-to-head advantage while also mathematically sealed a top-six spot, improving its record to 22-7. Meanwhile, the guests dropped to 18-11 in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Sasha Vezenkov paced Olympiacos with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Nigel Williams-Goss scored 14 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. Kostas Papanikolaou netted 11 and Moustapha Fall added 10. For Panathinaikos, Konstantinos Mitoglou scored a team-high 18 points, Cedi Osman recorded 13, 9 of which were scored in the first quarter, Lorenzo Brown poured in 11 and Juancho Hernangomez had 10.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The season SWEEP! <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympiacos_BC</a> make it two wins in two against their big rivals. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/AmjEVwAhRH">pic.twitter.com/AmjEVwAhRH</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1900654823738949893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Bayern Munich 92-97 Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-bayern-munich-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2024/260/)

Efes grabbed its third consecutive victory by topping Bayern 92-97 at SAP Garden in Round 29 on Friday. Efes improved to 15-14 in the standings while Bayern dropped to 17-12 having lost just its third home game this season. Shane Larkin paced the winners with 25 points. Rodrigue Beaubois added 23 while Dan Oturu and Elijah Bryant each had 12 for Efes. Nick Weiler-Babb and Carsen Edwards led Bayern with 18 points apiece. Johannes Voigtmann added 16 while Elias Harris had 15 for the hosts.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">👊 Almanya’da galibiz, sıradaki durak Sırbistan!<br>FC Bayern Münih 92 - 97 Anadolu Efes | Maç Sonucu<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/rjPKSRdxjZ">pic.twitter.com/rjPKSRdxjZ</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1900660906054299707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [FC Barcelona 87-80 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fc-barcelona-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2024/261/)

\--

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">WINNNNNNNN <a href="https://t.co/vWM8fTOeN6">pic.twitter.com/vWM8fTOeN6</a></p>&mdash; Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1900664288898859425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Thursday, March 13

### [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 92-82 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2024/253/)

Fenerbahce has become the second team to book a spot in the EuroLeague postseason after beating ASVEL 92-82 in Round 29. Saras Jasikevicius’s men improved to 20-9 having won their fifth straight game at Ulker Sport and Event Hall, while Pierric Poupet’s ASVEL suffered a sixth straight defeat to fall to 11-17. Wade Baldwin led Fenerbahce in scoring with 15 points, in addition to posting a team-high 6 assists. Bonzie Colson and Errick McCollum both chipped in with 10 points apiece. Impressively, nine of the 11 Fenerbahce players that stepped onto the floor netted at least 8 points. For ASVEL, Joffrey Lauvergne poured in a game-high 20 points and grabbed a game-best 9 rebounds. Nando De Colo recorded a 13-point, 11-assist double-double, with Andre Roberson adding 11 points and Neal Sako contributing 10 points.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Maç Bizim! 💛💙<br><br>Tebrikler Fenerbahçe Beko! 👏<br><br>Maç Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 LDLC Asvel: 92-82<br><br>Skor dağılımımız: Baldwin 15, Colson 10, McCollum 10, Sertaç 9, Melli 9, Guduric 9, Bango 8, Hall 8, Hayes-Davis 8, Biberovic 6. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/2irp6MOW32">pic.twitter.com/2irp6MOW32</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1900270276010471768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 80-82 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2024/258/)

Milan took a big step towards clinching a postseason berth after improving to 16-13 with an industrious win at Crvena Zvezda, which slipped to a third loss in a row. Nikola Mirotic paced Milan with a game-high 19 points to go with 7 boards and Zach LeDay chipped in with 15 points for the Italian side, which clawed out the victory in a physical contest devoid of much spectacular action. Nemanja Nedovic and Nikola Kalinic led Zvezda with 12 points apiece, but the Serbian side lacked a clutch player able to swing the contest its way in a tense finish as it slipped to 16-13.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BIG WIN!!! LET’S GO GUYS🤍❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/3ozQHQOZo4">pic.twitter.com/3ozQHQOZo4</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1900280851994132647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Zalgiris Kaunas 83-81 Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/zalgiris-kaunas-paris-basketball/E2024/254/)

Zalgiris erased a 20-point second-quarter deficit with a dominant second half to defeat Paris at Zalgirio Arena. The Lithuanian champs were down 16 at halftime before opening the third quarter with 10 straight points and finally taking their first lead through Bryant Dunston with the first basket of the fourth quarter. TJ Shorts tied it for Paris late, but there was enough time left for Sylvain Francisco to win it with a jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining. The victory lifted Zalgiris's record to 14-15 on the season, which Paris slipped to 16-13. Francisco finished with 15 points and 8 assists. Shorts scored a game-high 21 for Paris.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a comeback! 🥶 Zalgiris erases a 20-point deficit and celebrates a home win. 💚 <a href="https://t.co/aVlNiYwYms">pic.twitter.com/aVlNiYwYms</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1900276901727658467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [ALBA Berlin 97-90 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/alba-berlin-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2024/255/)

The wait is finally over for ALBA as it won its first home game in four months by beating Baskonia in the first contest under new head coach Pedro Calles. ALBA mounted a 13-4 stretch spanning the two final quarters to snap an eight-game home losing streak. Matt Thomas drained 5 three-pointers for 21 points and Gabriele Procida and Martin Hermannsson both scored 13 points for the winners. Nikos Rogkavopoulos netter 17 points to pace five players in double figures for Baskonia, which fell to 12-17.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">FIRST OF MANY! 🔥☝️<br><br>Starkes Headcoach-Debüt für Pedro Calles. Unser Team kämpft bis zur letzten Sekunde und holt sich den <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>-Heimsieg gegen <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a>. War das geil!!! 😤<br><br>📸 Tilo Wiedensohler <a href="https://t.co/qQq2VGWiw6">pic.twitter.com/qQq2VGWiw6</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1900291147404038334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 91-88 AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-as-monaco/E2024/257/)

Maccabi extended its winning streak to three games by defeating Monaco at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. In an entertaining back-and-forth clash featuring several lead changes, the hosts closed the game with a 7-0 run to record three wins in a row for the first time this season. Maccabi may have missed out on the postseason, but this victory improves its record to 9-20. Meanwhile, Monaco is still pushing for a top-four spot despite dropping to 17-12. Roman Sorkin and Rokas Jokubaitis paced Maccabi with 18 points each. For Monaco, Mike James led all scorers with 25 points.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">זה הלב שלנו! <br><br>לסיקור וסטטיסטיקה &gt; <a href="https://t.co/dmopDng2eQ">https://t.co/dmopDng2eQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/Akdy8h6fow">pic.twitter.com/Akdy8h6fow</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1900294140778123360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Virtus Segafredo Bologna 67-80 Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/virtus-segafredo-bologna-real-madrid/E2024/256/)

Real Madrid won on the road for the first time in over a month as it defeated Virtus 67-80 in Round 29. With this result, *Los Blancos*’ postseason hopes were boosted as they improved to a 15-14 record, while the hosts fell to 7-22. Dzanan Musa and Walter Tavares led the way with 13 points apiece for Real Madrid, with Mario Hezonja and Usman Garuba both scoring 10 points each, too. Virtus’s leading scorer was Matt Morgan with 11 points, followed by Rayjon Tucker with 10.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏁 FP: <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirtusSegafredo</a> 67 - 80 <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a><br>➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/UnicajaBanco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnicajaBanco</a> <a href="https://t.co/YpBYDqGn2C">pic.twitter.com/YpBYDqGn2C</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1900299506052178100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fenerbahce confirmed a top-10 finish by winning on Thursday, and Olympiacos sealed a top-six spot by triumphing in the Greek derby

Game Center: Oly holds off PAO to reach playoffs; Efes, Barcelona both victorious

Olimpia Milano secured a crucial win in its bid to make the EuroLeague postseason as it beat KK Crvena zvezda 80-82 on the road, while the Serbian team has now lost three games in a row.

Milan tails are up as Crvena Zvezda’s slide continues

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/) boosted its hops of earning an automatic playoff berth at the end of the regular season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with [a gritty 80-82 win at Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/milan-claws-out-huge-win-over-crvena-zvezda-80-82/), a result that improved the Italian team’s record to 16-13.

It was also a welcome reprieve for Milan after [last week’s 76-100 home debacle to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/fenerbahce-crushes-milan-76-100/), highlighting the team’s resilience and the ability to bounce back in the face of adversity.

In January, Milan pulled off a similar stunt when it [beat reigning champs Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens 87-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zach-leday-shines-as-milan-roars-back-to-beat-panathinaikos-87-75/) on its home court after [a 100-66 road rout at the hands of Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/coach-banchi-celebrates-first-win-as-efes-thrashes-milan-110-66/), prompting a 4-2 streak which kept the Italian outfit on course for a place in the postsason.

Against Zvezda, Milan prevailed in a fervent atmosphere generated by 20,000 home fans inside Belgrade Arena, with [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shavon-shields/007831/) doing the damage late in the game when he netted with a tough drive to the basket through traffic.

Coach [Ettore Messina](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ea7-emporio-armani-milan/mil/messina-ettore/?season=E2024) summed up his team’s effort at the postgame press conference with a succinct description of a matchup which resembled an arm wrestling contest, as it produced a titanic tussle devoid of too many spectacular plays.

“We had three very good quarters, as we found open shots against a very aggressive defense, then in the last quarter both teams were very nervous because of how important the game was, especially at this moment,” the Italian tactician said.

“It came down to one play where we managed to create space for Shavon to attack and go to the rim. We also had three stops at the other end and that was key. We bounced back from a very tough loss and we’re still in the mix.”

Asked to assess the EuroLeague’s quality and level of entertainment, Messina made some interesting analogies as he also acknowledged that the competition keeps evolving and reaching new heights.  

“Games are enjoyable to watch for the fans because there is so much drama in every game and they resemble American college basketball by their intensity,” he said.  

"The game has become very physical and it’s become increasingly difficult for players to create open shots. The game has also become very difficult to officiate, in my opinion, and the size of these athletes makes the court look smaller.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">INSIEME!🤍❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/AlTQOxCojv">pic.twitter.com/AlTQOxCojv</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1900287338863014138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Troubling times for Crvena Zvezda

Zvezda’s skid stretched to three games with yet another tough loss, its second successive on home court as the Serbian team [fell to Zalgiris Kaunas 80-86](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-springs-upset-to-beat-crvena-zvezda-80-86/) before [last week’s 100-82 drubbing at FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/bayern-blows-away-crvena-zvezda-100-82-to-stay-in-postseason-picture/). Ravaged by injuries and illness, Zvezda appears to be running on empty in the home stretch of the regular season and the poor run has seriously dented its chances of clinching a top-six finish, while even a play-in spot now looks far from certain.

The raucous Zvezda fans, who occasionally chanted "Dubai, Dubai" to express confidence they had in the team reaching the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four, were brought down to earth by Milan’s ironclad defense, complemented by a reality check from coach [Ioannis Sfairopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/red/sfairopoulos-ioannis/?season=E2024).

Asked to comment on the situation at the postgame press conference, the Greek tactician responded with an angry outburst aimed at fans whose hopes of glory had rocketed after a good run saw Zvezda push up into the top five on a 16-10 record.

“Fans are shouting ‘Dubai’ but this is a team without a EuroLeague playoff win in its entire history. We must know who we are and go step by step in building something good. We need time, patience and support to achieve this, we have a dream to go to Dubai but it’s unrealistic. Maybe I should try to be a Formula 1 driver starting tomorrow,” Sfairopoulos told a stunned media pack.

“We have five more games and we have to fight in each and every one of them until the end,” he added, with Zvezda up next against runaway EuroLeague leader Olympiacos Piraeus, which has won 12 of its last 13 games prior to this Friday’s eternal Greek derby with Panathinaikos.

“We are still building our identity as a top-level EuroLeague team and we’re up against some quality opposition here. We’ve had injuries after the international break and it’s not easy to keep producing our best performances with so many problems. Having said that, we also conceded some easy points in the last three games and we can’t afford to do that at this level.”

If current form – or lack of it – is anything to go by, Zvezda faces a tall order to live up to its fans’ expectations but the Serbian outfit has shown the kind of fighting spirit this season standing in stark contrast to last term’s campaign, when Zvezda featured as also-rans and finished on an 11-23 record, miles away from the postseason picture.

The Italian team rekindled its playoff hopes while Zvezda seems to be losing momentum

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 29 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub: Round 29

## Friday, March 14

### Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:15 CET)

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"Every game against Panathinaikos is a different game. That’s how basketball goes. The result depends on your condition, your opponent's condition, the momentum, the motivation, and the players' health… Everything matters. It is going to be a tough game. Panathinaikos is a talented team, and they are in good shape. On our side, we must have patience and be focused on our game plan. I believe that we have an advantage since we play on our home court. We are motivated, and we want to finish the regular season with as many wins as possible. Players are aware of the importance of these kinds of games. And I believe that if we stick together on offense and defense, we are unbeatable."

**Evan Fournier, Olympiacos Piraeus guard**

"It is a very important for us, for our fans, for the administrators, for the whole club. We need to step on the court and fight for the win. It does not matter our position in the standings. The most important game is always the next game and our next game is the one against Panathinaikos. We do not think of the future. We are focused on what it is ahead."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CET)

**Gordon Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"We've made progress defensively in recent games and have been defending better as a unit. That will be crucial: our team defense and one-on-one matchups. Efes is one of the best offensive teams in the league. Their talent on offense is incredible, and they have great size and physicality. But we also need to play our game and make sure Efes has to adjust to us."

**Luca Banchi, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"Numbers talk about the clear characteristic of Bayern Munich, one of the most productive teams in EuroLeague this year. They are actually playing a very efficient basketball, especially at home, because of their creativity and versatility. We need to be conscious that such a game imposes a very strict plan, great discipline from our side to control emotionally and technically this game for 40 minutes."

**Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul center**

"The game on Friday will be a tough game. They play well at home so we have to come prepared mentally to compete if we want to win and take another step in the right direction."

### FC Barcelona vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:45 CET)

**Joan Penarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"We have an important game against Partizan, a very attractive game for fans to come to Palau, against an opponent that is one of the best teams in the EuroLeague in the last 10-11 games. They are playing really well and getting a lot of wins. It will be a game featuring two teams with the same record in the standings. For us, a victory would give us a one-win lead with five games remaining, plus the tie-breaker, as we would have beaten them twice. In such a balanced competition, it is obvious that it would be very important to win. After this game, there will be five more game left and anything can happen. There will be a lot of teams fighting, and after all we went through, we are in a position to fight for everything. We are in a good position and our next three EuroLeague games are at home. I hope our fans' help will be a key factor for the team to get an advantage which we will need, for sure, in order to get the wins that we need."

**Joel Parra, FC Barcelona forward**

"I think the team is aware that we are going to play six 'finals', especially our four games at home. If we win all of our four games against four direct opponents, I think we will have a chance to make it to the playoffs. We are aware of this and the team is feeling well. Since we came back from the \[FIBA\] window, the team is competing well despite the players we are missing. Like I said, our next game is a final. Both teams have the same record in the standings and if we win, we would have one win more than them plus the tie-breaker. We know the kind of team Partizan is and the fans they have, they always bring a lot of fans to all games. Being a critical game for both teams, I am sure they will have even more fans in the stands. There will be a nice atmosphere at Palau and our fans will push for us, too. We play on the court, but fans will also play their part in the stands. People at Palau have always shown that they are with us. It will be a nice game. I used to watch these Euroleague nights on TV and wanted to be there. It will be cool place to play and enjoy."

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"An extremely important game for us, as will be every next one. What is interesting is that in the next six games we play with five direct opponents as far as the final standings are concerned. Barcelona have certain problems but, on the other hand, they look good in the sense that they fight and play every match until the end. In these practices, we worked a lot on increasing aggressiveness, which is a very important item both for this and for every next game. A very demanding period awaits, but we must find strength and play the best possible match."

**Sterling Brown, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard**

"It’s going to be a good game. They will come out and play hard, and we’ll do our best to win. It’s a playoff situation, and we need to secure the best possible spot in the standings. I expect it to be a tough, physical game for both teams. We’ve had a couple of good practices over the last few days, so I feel pretty confident that we’ll go out there and perform well."

## Thursday, March 13

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (18:45 CET)

**Saras Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"ASVEL is always a very difficult team to play against. They have a lot of size. They present many problems playing with two very big fives and fours. It was not easy for us in Lyon. We're gonna have to have a good game to beat them."

**Bonzie Colson, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward**

"We’re expecting a hard-fought game. We’re focused on ourselves and what we can do to continue playing at this high level. We know it’s not gonna be easy. Asvel are a very aggressive team offensively and defensively. We got to focus on our principles on both sides of the floor; offensively and defensively, and get the win. We’re excited. I feel like we haven’t played here in so long. It’s gonna be fun playing with all of our fans cheering us on and giving us the momentum that we need. So we’re all excited. We can’t wait to go out there and play."

### Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (19:00 CET)

**Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach**

"We are playing against a very good team, which has quality. They are the third attacking team in the EuroLeague and as we have seen in the last two games, we have not been good defensively and we have to face a good attacking team. That's why we have to be effective defensively. That is our priority."

**Ognjen Dobric, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade forward**

"We have a tough job ahead of us, every game is important and more important because the end of the season is approaching. There is less and less room for mistakes. We were in a bit of a bad period, but I hope that the team will overcome it. I can't say that this game is the most important, of course it is. When we look at the table, and how many teams are fighting for the top six or top 10, there is less and less room for mistakes. We have to play serious, tough basketball against everyone."

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We meet a very athletic team, with efficient shooters, and a lot of depth. As a consequence, we need to play a high-level game in Belgrade, perfectly aware that rebounds, as always, and guarding well their pick and roll plays, which they use very often, will go a long way in determining the outcome."

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Paris Basketball (19:00 CET)

**Andrea Trinchieri, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach**

"After the break, we are playing with good consistency. We had a chance to win in Belgrade, we should have won at Baskonia, and we want to prepare for tomorrow's game. We are focusing just one game at a time. Our effort is condensed for tomorrow's game. We don't have too many thoughts on the long term, it's now and here. We're playing against a very specific team, they play with a lot of energy. It's something that we know and we need to display a very energetic and a very smart game."

### ALBA Berlin vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (20:00 CET)

\--

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. AS Monaco (20:05 CET)

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"Monaco is in good form and has strengthened with a dominant big man. They are a very talented and athletic team. After receiving the news about \[Jasiel\] Rivero's injury, we will be significantly short-handed, especially in our frontcourt, and it will be very challenging. We will need to compensate for the absences and control the rebounds. We will be using slightly different lineups than what we are used to."

**Jimmy Clark, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard**

"I don't look at it as a challenge, I just look at it as another opportunity. It's another opportunity to display what I bring to the team, so that's what I want to do: go out there, play hard, and follow the game plan. We need to be disruptive on the defensive end; I don't think we have too many problems on the offensive end. I just feel like if we can be disruptive end and follow our game plan on the offensive side of the ball, we'll get the win."

**Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco head coach**

"Last week, we played as one, together, both offensively and defensively. We need to keep up these efforts. Every EuroLeague game is a battle. Even if they're no longer in the playoff race, Maccabi is still a dangerous team. It's a very special situation, not playing at home and without a crowd. We'll have to be ready.”

**Elie Okobo, AS Monaco guard**

"There are still six games to go to get the best possible EuroLeague ranking. We had a very good week, and everyone played their part in the team's success against Paris. The ball was moving really well, we were making the effort and communicating well. We need to keep up this momentum. Maccabi are always dangerous, and they've just beaten Fener. We'll have to play hard and be very focused, and keep our identity.”

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Real Madrid (20:45 CET)

**Dusko Ivanovic, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"We play against Real Madrid, which is a team that wants to win and wants to get into the playoffs, but we also want to win because I consider my players and my team a winning team. We want to fight until the end to bring this win home."

**Toko Shengelia, Virtus Segafredo Bologna forward**

"Very important game tomorrow because we know Real Madrid will come here to try to play the best game possible. I think we right now are trying to build something special and winning this game could be an important step to continue in this direction."

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"It's an important challenge ahead of us. We have six games left, but obviously we are only thinking about tomorrow's game against Virtus, a team that is not in the top positions in the EuroLeague but in the Italian League is fighting to be champion. I am sure that, on their court, they will be strong. We have a challenge ahead of us, an opportunity to play a good game away from home and that's how we are approaching it: as something that could be the beginning of a good end to the regular season."

**Andres Feliz, Real Madrid guard**

"We head into tomorrow's game with a lot of responsibility because we all know the importance of the game against Virtus. We must be prepared to play a tough game in which, obviously, our physical level and our defensive level must be very high if we want to achieve a victory that would be very important for us. We have to be more than ever a team, stay together and believe until the end. I believe we can do it and, as I say, we have to believe until the end."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 29 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Pregame quotes hub: 'Every game against Panathinaikos is a different game'

In his second day as ALBA Berlin head coach, Pedro Calles oversaw a 97-90 win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz to end a four-month run of defeats at home.

Pedro Calles got off to perfect start on EuroLeague coaching debut

How much can you really change a team with just one practice? 

As it turns out, for [Pedro Calles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/ber/calles-pedro/?season=E2024) it was enough to lead [ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/ber/) to a victory in his first game as new head coach and snap a long losing streak.

“I am happy for the guys. What’s most important is the fifth win in the EuroLeague. It’s not my first win, it’s ALBA’s fifth win. I am happy for the guys, for the fans who came to support us. That is a strong part of our culture,” said Calles, who oversaw [a 97-90 win over Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/alba-snaps-4-month-home-losing-streak-in-first-game-under-coach-calles/) to end a four-month run of defeats at home. 

The 41-year-old, leading his team in a EuroLeague game for the first time in his second day on the job, only had one practice session and one shootaround to institute some of his ideas for the team. 

“Congratulations to our players for a great collective effort. It wasn’t an easy game to play with just one practice and one shootaround. It was difficult to pick the things you want to touch on. But they did a great job focusing on the point of emphasis,” he noted. “I decided to touch a couple of things on defense. But only a couple of things, no more.”

Calles joined the team about two months ago as an additional assistant coach after being fired from German side EWE Baskets Oldenburg. On Wednesday, he was informed of [the decision by the club leaders to fire Israel Gonzalez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/pedro-calles-replaces-israel-gonzalez-as-alba-head-coach/) and hand him the spot as head coach. 

Calles immediately had a new sense of responsibility. 

“All of a sudden your position changes, your decision-making completely changes with a different role,” he said. 

But Calles also admitted he had mixed feelings about replacing his Spanish compatriot, who had coached ALBA since 2021 and served as an assistant since 2017. As head coach, Gonzalez guided the club to two league championships.

“I was only here two months working with Israel, but I knew before coming here how good of a person he is. When I came here, even more,” Calles said. 

“I am not gonna lie to you, it’s a dream come true to coach a EuroLeague team like ALBA. Is it the way that I wanted it? No.”

Calles emphasized how important communication is for him.

“We have to be connected. This is almost impossible without communication. I have only been here for two months. I don’t know them as much as I want so I have to use every possession, every situation to communicate and get to know them better in order to help them,” he said. 

[Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/) scored 21 points as ALBA’s leading scorer in the first game under Calles. For him and the other players, the whole situation was difficult. 

“A coaching change is always tough. On a personal level, it’s always hard when people leave the team - players, coaches, anyone from the staff. But it’s part of the business. Now we are ready,” he said. 

“Coach Pedro did a great job with only a day to prepare for this game. I feel we were really prepared. We came out and executed the game plan pretty well. But there’s always room to improve and we are just excited to build off this one.”

And have more than just one day with their new head coach. 

The Spaniard only had one training session with the ALBA players after being promoted to the role of head coach

Sylvain Francisco hit the game-winning shot to cap a memorable night for Zalgiris Kaunas against Paris Basketball in Round 29.

Zalgiris hit Paris hard in the second half for remarkable win

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) matched its greatest-ever comeback at Zalgirio Arena by rallying from 20 points down [to defeat Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-edges-paris-83-81-on-franciscos-jumper/). Every Zalgiris fan knows to expect an incredible effort when they buy a ticket to watch the Lithuanian champs in action, but what coach [Andrea Trinchieri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/trinchieri-andrea/?season=E2024)'s men served up on Thursday night was quite out of the ordinary. 

The 83-81 victory not only featured a historic comeback, but it also came down to the wire. Zalgiris won only after a topsy-turvy final minute in which Paris's star guard [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) missed two free throws and a layup with his team down two and – after Shorts managed to tie it – [Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) buried a game-winning jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining. 

The comeback was not some stroke of coaching genius, with changes in tactics and trickery. It came down to good old-fashioned effort. 

When Francisco was asked after the game what Trinchieri said at halftime that changed things, he responded: "To hit them. That's the most important thing. When we hit them, they don't know what to do."

The "hitting" in this case was, of course, metaphoric and Trinchieri explained it in a little more detail.

"\[Paris is\] a team that feed their energy with your weaknesses. When you are soft, they feel it, and they play harder and more energy. They knock down big shots. In the first half, we could not catch them. We were one, two sometimes three steps late on everything. It's not a matter of tactics. It's a matter of how you play the game," Trinchieri explained. 

"We had a very productive and efficient talk \[at halftime\]. In the second half, we didn't change much. A couple of adjustments, but we changed the way we were doing everything. We played with tons of energy. We never give up. They scored some big buckets. We didn't stop playing and we won one of the best games of our season."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The highlight of the game - right here. 😎📸 <a href="https://t.co/zGDSXKVb14">pic.twitter.com/zGDSXKVb14</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1900290391498277228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The effort that Trinchieri spoke of was epitomized by many players, starting with Francisco, who after not scoring at all in the first half had 8 points in a 15-0 start to the second quarter. That was the "hitting" Trinchieri sought and it could be seen by the naked eye in the team's revitalized effort as well as in the stat sheet.

Zalgiris made 2 of 14 threes in the first half and 5 of 11 in the second. After being outrebounded 12-15 in the first 20 minutes, Zalgiris dominated the glass 24-10 in the last 20. Zalgiris outscored Paris 10-3 in second-chance points in the second half.

When asked about the contributions of specific players, Trinchieri did not take the bait.

"We will commit sin if we just say \[[Edgaras Ulanovas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/edgaras-ulanovas/002329/) or [Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arnas-butkevicius/002676/)\]. I believe this is really a team win. We won't forget \[[Laurynas Birutis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/laurynas-birutis/005504/)\]. We won't forget the present that [Bryant \[Dunston\]](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/bryant-dunston/003048/) gave us. Isaiah \[Wong\] for all his defense on Shorts. I can go for hours now, so I would not reduce the game to names."

But one player who he did speak more about was Francisco, of whom he said, "the first half, he was a tragedy."

Sylvain Francisco took over against Paris in the second half

Two days after the French guard pledged his future to the club by signing a contract extension through 2027, he came out flat. Francisco missed all 5 of his shots in the first half before coming alive for 15 points and 5 assists in the third and fourth quarters, during which he accumulated a PIR of 25.

Not only were Francisco's skills on full display in the second half, but his confidence as well. 

"I'm a confident guy, so if I just shoot the ball, I know I'm gonna make it. So for me, it doesn't matter if I'm gonna miss five shots in a row, but I know the last five shots, the most important ones, I'm gonna make it," he said and then went through the game-winning shot. 

"The coach told me to get the ball and go. Bryant was supposed to set me a screen, but I knew I had [\[Tyson\] Ward](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyson-ward/012610/) \[defending me\] and just give him and in-and-out and shot the ball for two. For me, I knew I was gonna make it."

And after the way he and Zalgiris played throughout the second half, the fans at Zalgirio Arena were pretty confident that Francisco was going to make it too. And now they can look forward to seeing such shots sail through the nets for a few more seasons. 

The confidence of Sylvain Francisco played a big role for the Lithuanian champs, too

Real Madrid notched just its fourth road win of the EuroLeague season by beating Virtus Bologna in Round 29, a result that keeps Los Blancos' postseason hopes alive.

Real Madrid did what it needed to do in Bologna

Few teams in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague have been as Jekyll and Hyde as [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/) this season.

At WiZink Center, the 11-time champion has gone 10-4, which is the joint third-best record in the competition. It has been a different story away from the Spanish capital, however.

Entering Round 29, Real Madrid was 3-10 on its travels; only Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and ALBA Berlin had won fewer games on the road, each with two apiece.

The result? *Los Blancos* languishing down in 12th place, with coach [Chus Mateo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/mateo-chus/?season=E2024) knowing that his team needed to get some more wins on the board, and fast.

On Thursday night they did just that by [beating Virtus Segafredo Bologna 67-80](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/real-madrid-holds-off-virtus-to-grab-important-win-67-80/) on the road, a result that moved them up to 11th, one place outside the play-in spots. Real Madrid was up by as many as 22 points in the third quarter and despite a late rally by the hosts, Virtus could never trim the gap to single digits.

“We knew that it’s not going to be easy \[to beat Virtus\], but at the end of the day we’re Real Madrid and we’ll try to win every game possible,” [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/) told EuroLeague TV in his postgame comments. “Now we’ll try to fight first to get to the play-in and why not the playoffs directly.”

The standings are so tight that lots could change between now and the end of the regular season, with one win separating Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in sixth spot – the last place that guarantees direct access to the playoffs – and Real Madrid in 11th, so there is plenty of reason for *Los Blancos* to remain optimistic.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤜 <a href="https://twitter.com/DzMusa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DzMusa</a> 🤍 <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WalterTavares22</a> 🤛 <a href="https://t.co/M49efUxM5T">pic.twitter.com/M49efUxM5T</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1900304092787831146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Real Madrid’s next game is against struggling LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, but then it finishes the season with four games against teams fighting to reach the playoffs: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Crvena Zvezda, Paris Basketball, and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Notably, the two fixtures against the Belgrade clubs take place in Serbia, which given the team’s road record could be cause for concern.

“We have five finals ahead, so we’ve got to be quiet, keep working and think about the next game,” [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) stated after the Virtus win.

But as Musa said best, Real Madrid is Real Madrid, so write them off at your peril. One thing is for certain: it is going to be a fascinating finish to the regular season for Coach Mateo’s squad.

A win was required and that is what Chus Mateo’s men got