Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade: 2023-24 games to watch

There is no hiding that Crvena Zvezda is going for it this season. A brand new Zvezda team, with nearly a dozen arrivals his summer, has set the bar higher than ever in the EuroLeague. The club is not only looking to get back to the playoffs after its lone appearance seven years ago, but is aiming to reach its first-ever Final Four. An exciting roster with a backcourt that will feature Milos Teodosic, Yago Dos Santos and Shabazz Napier, backed by an army of fans, will be a fun one to watch on any given night in the coming campaign.

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade/games/red/?season=2023-24)

### Setting the tone in the season-opener

[Round 1: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/1/#comparison)

This clash will be the opening game of the 2023-24 season and the first chance for Crvena Zvezda to put on display head coach Dusko Ivanovic's brand-new roster. It will also mark the club's return to Stark Arena, the venue that its city rival Partizan Mozart Bet made a place to be last season. There is no doubt that this great venue in the Serbian capital will be packed and rocking for the arrival of ASVEL, a tricky and dangerous opponent, with Zvezda aiming to set the tone for its entire season.

Harbouring just a solitary win, Zvezda aim to ignite a stuttering offence and arise from the bottom of the standings when welcoming an ASVEL outfit striving for consistency at 3-4, yet leading the way in forcing turnovers, which could be crucial in this showdown.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne - Round 8 - Highlights

### A chance to end a losing streak

[Round 14: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-alba-berlin/E2023/124/#comparison)

This has been a nightmare home matchup for Crvena Zvezda, which keeps ending up in disappointment for the team and its fans. ALBA escaped Belgrade with a victory each of the last four times it visited Zvezda. In the last two seasons, ALBA beat Zvezda by 15 points at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, and each of the previous two visits ended up with ALBA overtime victories. Crvena Zvezda beat ALBA on its home floor only once in the EuroLeague this century, which was in 2015. A home win against ALBA is something Zvezda has been waiting for more than eight years.

After ending their winless slump at Maccabi, Zvezda look to boost their top-eight pursuit against an stuttering ALBA team that have lost six in succession and on the brink of being the first team to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs ALBA Berlin - Round 25 - Highlights

### The Belgrade derby

[Round 19: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/163/#comparison)

This is arguably the most anticipated game of Zvezda's season and one of the most anticipated games of the entire EuroLeague season. Belgrade derbies were featured on the EuroLeague schedule for the first time ever last season and they lived up to the billing... and then some. Zvezda won the first-ever EuroLeague clash between these two sides, but then lost on its home floor against Partizan. This time, a couple of days into the new calendar year and just before the Orthodox Christmas, Zvezda will try to avoid another letdown against its biggest rival and give its die-hard fans a night to celebrate.

All eyes are on Serbia and Aleksandar Nikolić Hall for a highly-anticipated derby that's certain to capture the imagination across the continent. Both have endured a mixed run of results, but little will matter when going head-to-head for a showdown with maximum intensity guaranteed.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Round 21 - Highlights

### A fan favorite returns

[Round 31: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/277/#comparison)

Virtus's visit with four games left in the regular season will be a chance for Zvezda and its fans to give a warm welcome to Ognjen Dobric, a homegrown swingman who left a major mark with the Serbian club. His 435 appearances in the red-and-white jersey are the second-most in club history and his 1,171 points in the EuroLeague and EuroCup combined are more than any other Zvezda player. This night will be a special homecoming for Dobric, as will be a nice chance for Milos Teodosic to greet his former Virtus teammates, several of whom he spent the last four years playing with together.

Duško Ivanović's appointment has proven to be a masterstroke for the Serbians and are enjoying a three-game winning run. They target further gains versus a Virtus roster hoping the talents of playmakers Miloš Teodosić and Daniel Hackett can support a top-eight push.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs Virtus Segafredo Bologna - Round 11 - Highlights

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has confirmed the arrival of Jasiel Rivero. Rivero (29 years old, 2.06 meters) arrives from Valencia Basket, where he made his EuroLeague debut last season. He now heads to Israel for the first time in his career to play under Maccabi head coach Oded Kattash.

Jasiel Rivero heads to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has confirmed the arrival of [Jasiel Rivero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jasiel-rivero/011214/), who has signed a one-year contract with the Israeli club. Rivero (2.06 meters, 29 years old) arrives from Valencia Basket, where he made his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut last season. During the 2022-23 campaign, the Cuban center averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and a 9.2 PIR across 24 appearances, three of which were as a starter. He now heads to Israel for the first time in his career.

The top plays of Valencia Basket center Jasiel Rivero in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Jasiel Rivero's top plays in 2022-23

### His two seasons with Valencia

Rivero impressed in his rookie EuroLeague season, reaching double figures for points in 10 of his 24 games for Valencia. His best performance of the campaign came against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 32, as he paired 17 points with 6 rebounds and 0 turnovers for a PIR of 23. In terms of points, Rivero set a personal best with the 22 he scored against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in Round 11. The 29-year-old also played with Valencia in the 7DAYS EuroCup in the 2021-22 season, averaging 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and a 14.8 PIR.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">✒️ <a href="https://twitter.com/jasielrivero14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jasielrivero14</a> <a href="https://t.co/PdJC5H4jLM">pic.twitter.com/PdJC5H4jLM</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1685672351768137728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### From Cuba to Spain… to Israel

Prior to joining Valencia in the summer of 2021, Rivero spent two years with fellow Spanish side San Pablo Burgos. After starting his professional career with Capitalinos in his native Cuba in the 2014-15 season, Rivero played for Argentinian team Estudiantes Concordia between 2015 and 2018 before signing for another Argentinian side in Boca Juniors, where he remained for one season. Since arriving in Spain in 2019, Rivero has established himself as one of the Spanish League's best big men, and Oded Kattash will be hoping that he can now make a big impact upon joining Maccabi.

More Maccabi Tel Aviv News

Jasiel Rivero, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's newest signing, in action for Valencia Basket in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague last season.

Jasiel Rivero heads to Maccabi

Panathinaikos Athens pulled another rabbit out of the hat in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's off-season market, inking forward Juancho Hernangomez to a two-year deal. Hernangomez, 27, joins the Greens right in the prime of his career as he goes in search of the playing time he always had with the Spanish national team but never really got in the NBA.

Juancho Hernangomez makes Panathinaikos even more unpredictable

Panathinaikos Athens pulled another rabbit out of the hat in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's off-season market, [inking forward Juancho Hernangomez to a two-year deal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/juancho-bo-cruz-hernangomez-signs-with-panathinaikos/). Hernangomez, 27, joins the Greens right in the prime of his career as he goes in search of the playing time he always had with the Spanish national team but never really got in the NBA.

Indeed, Hernangomez has been sensational in national team tournaments lately, leading Spain to respective gold medals at the 2019 World Cup and EuroBasket 2022. In 2019, Hernangomez averaged 10.5 points on 44.0% three-pointers and 5.4 rebounds, doing a little bit of everything to make sure La Roja came back home victorious. In 2022, he earned the EuroBasket Final MVP award after scoring a game-high 27 points, hitting 7-of-9 three-pointers, in an 88-76 win against France.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">☘️💚</p>&mdash; Juancho Hernangomez (@juanchiviris41) <a href="https://twitter.com/juanchiviris41/status/1684475821212278784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Just what Coach Ataman wanted

Panathinaikos fans can expect many different things from Hernangomez, as his versatility is one of his main skills. New Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman always relied on stretch power forwards, mainly Adrien Moerman and Chris Singleton, when he coached Anadolu Efes Istanbul to back-to-back EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022. It has been a pattern for Coach Ataman throughout his coaching career; stretch power forwards like Derrick Brown, Zoran Erceg, Bostjan Nachbar, David Blu and Michalis Kakiouzis all played under the Turkish tactician at one time or another.

Hernangomez fills that role and then some. He can pull the trigger from downtown but also guard smaller opponents due to his size and quickness.  He helps on the boards and is aggressive on both ends of the floor, too. By also adding Ioannis Papapetrou, Coach Ataman has two players with high basketball IQ who are able to deliver at each forward spot, looking for advantages on offense and capitalizing on them.

The only question mark over Hernangomez could be his lack of EuroLeague experience as he will be a newcomer in the competition, but given his all-around performances with the Spanish national team against EuroLeague stars, his adjustment should not be an issue.

Full highlights of Juancho Hernangomez | EuroBasket 2022

### Helping the stars of the future

With two young, talented players with star potential like Neoklis Avdalas and Eleftherios Mantzoukas currently on the books at Panathinaikos, Hernangomez also has the chance to play the role of mentor for maybe the first time in his career.

Hernangomez could be a great influence on Mantzoukas, who has a similar physical frame and, at age 20, is ready to play a bigger role. After seeing limited playing time in the BKT EuroCup with Promitheas Patras and in the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos, Mantzoukas is at risk of being labelled as just a three-point shooter. Hernangomez should lead by example as he can do a lot more than just pull the trigger from downtown, so it will be important for him to encourage Mantzoukas to follow his footsteps.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back in Europe 💯<a href="https://twitter.com/juanchiviris41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@juanchiviris41</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/willyhg94?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@willyhg94</a> <a href="https://t.co/OxGnooqD5m">pic.twitter.com/OxGnooqD5m</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1684506914812489728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Bo Cruz and Willy

Off the court, Hernangomez played a stellar role in the Netflix film "Hustle". He was the film's co-star along with Adam Sandler, playing the role of an unknown basketball player called Bo Cruz. At some point during the movie, Cruz meets the Spanish national team and shakes hands with Willy Hernangomez, his real-life brother, who signed a multi-year deal with FC Barcelona earlier this summer.

Both Hernangomez brothers have had similar careers lately, going through multiple NBA teams but then shining with Spain. Willy earned EuroBasket 2022 MVP honors after leading La Roja to the gold medal.

For all EuroLeague fans, one date to circle in the calendar is Friday, November 3, as the Hernangomez brothers cross paths in the EuroLeague for the first time when the Greens visit Barcelona's Palau Blaugrana in Round 6.

More Panathinaikos News

New Panathinaikos Athens forward Juancho Hernangomez in action for Spain.

Olimpia Milano has confirmed the signing of Alex Poythress. Poythress (2.06 meters, 29 years old) joins Milan from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, where last season he averaged 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and a 7.4 PIR in 16 EuroLeague games. Milan is Poythress's third club in his EuroLeague career.

Alex Poythress completes move to Olimpia Milano

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has confirmed the signing of Alex Poythress, who has penned a one-year contract at the Italian club. Poythress (2.06 meters, 29 years old) joins Milan from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, where last season he averaged 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and a 7.4 PIR in 16 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games. It was an injury-hit campaign for the American big man, as he missed Rounds 12 through 34 with a hand injury before returning to action in the playoffs. Milan is Poythress's third club in his EuroLeague career.

The best plays of Alex Poythress in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Zenit St. Petersburg (2020-22) and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2022-23).

Alex Poythress's top plays in the EuroLeague

### Alex Poythress's time in the EuroLeague so far

Since making his EuroLeague debut with Zenit St. Petersburg in the 2020-21 season, Poythress has shown fans just why he was such a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. In his rookie EuroLeague season, Poythress averaged 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and an 8.8 PIR as Zenit reached the playoffs for the first time. That year, he played 32 games and was named as a starter on seven occasions.

The following campaign saw Poythress post 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and a 9.8 PIR in 23 games, with five starts, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine resulted in Zenit being withdrawn from the EuroLeague. Last summer, he made the move to Maccabi and was showing positive signs as a starter in the first 11 games, posting 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and an 8.0 PIR. His numbers were not bad in the playoffs following his lengthy absence, as he averaged 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and a 6.0 PIR in 14:22 minutes on the floor.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo fino al 2024 con Alex Poythress.⚪️🔴<br><br>Benvenuto a Milano Alex ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/kHWQpMqlxd">https://t.co/kHWQpMqlxd</a><br>Welcome to Milan Alex ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/W6uDWwvPqE">https://t.co/W6uDWwvPqE</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/welcomepoythress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#welcomepoythress</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/eNo5E2MiKe">pic.twitter.com/eNo5E2MiKe</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1684959065451954176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### His journey to the EuroLeague

Poythress has played in the EuroLeague since 2020, but his first European experience came in the BKT EuroCup with Galatasaray Istanbul in the 2019-20 season, as he averaged 13.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 14.3 PIR in seven games. Before that, Poythress had spent almost his entire career in the United States. He made his professional debut with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G League in 2016-17 but saw out the final part of that campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

In the 2017-18 season he signed a two-way contract with NBA franchise the Indiana Pacers, which saw him also feature in the G League with Fort Wayne. The following summer, Poythress agreed to another two-year deal, this time with the Atlanta Hawks and its G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks. In August 2019 he joined Chinese side the Jilin Northeast Tigers, but four months later he moved to Galatasaray and began his European adventure.

Milan News

New EA7 Emporio Armani Milan recruit Alex Poythress during a game for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Alex Poythress completes move to Milan

Panathinaikos Athens has announced the signing of Olek Balcerowski on a two-year deal. Balcerowski (2.15 meters, 22 years old) became a EuroCup champion with Gran Canaria last season. The two-time winner of the EuroCup Rising Star award (2021, 2023) briefly played in the EuroLeague with Gran Canaria in the 2018-19 season, but he now returns to the competition with the aim of making his mark at Panathinaikos.

Panathinaikos adds size with Olek Balcerowski

Panathinaikos Athens has announced the signing of [Olek Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/) on a two-year deal, with the Greens having paid his buyout clause to lure him away from Dreamland Gran Canaria. Balcerowski (2.15 meters, 22 years old) became a BKT EuroCup champion with Gran Canaria last season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and a 10.6 PIR in 22 games, 16 of which were as a starter. The two-time winner of the EuroCup Rising Star award (2021, 2023) briefly played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Gran Canaria in the 2018-19 season, featuring in six games, but he now returns to the competition with the aim of making his mark at Panathinaikos.

The best plays of new Panathinaikos Athens signing Aleksander Balcerowski in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup for Gran Canaria.

Aleksander Balcerowski's top plays in 2022-23

### Honing his trade in the EuroCup

Before Balcerowski made his EuroLeague debut, he played very, very limited minutes in two EuroCup fixtures in the 2017-18 campaign. Since returning to the EuroCup in the 2020-21 season, though, Balcerowski has gone from strength to strength. Coming off the bench, he helped guide Gran Canaria to a semifinal finish in 2020-21 against AS Monaco, having improved his averages at each stage of the campaign: in the regular season, the top 16, the quarterfinals and then the semifinals. As such, he was rewarded for his play with his first Rising Star award.

An injury meant that Balcerowski did not play until Round 14 in the 2021-22 regular season, but he hit the ground running after his return, posting 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and a 7.2 PIR in the team's five remaining fixtures before the playoffs. That year, Gran Canaria made it to the quarterfinals, with the Polish international's final averages standing at 8.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and a 6.4 PIR. Then, last season, Balcerowski shined as a starter – albeit sharing minutes once again with Khalifa Diop – as Gran Canaria went on to win its first-ever EuroCup title.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to our Green squad, Aleksander Balcerowski ☘️💪🏼<br><br>Read more 👉 <a href="https://t.co/H9julNF7ZB">https://t.co/H9julNF7ZB</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobc</a> <a href="https://t.co/xq9OQuTz1n">pic.twitter.com/xq9OQuTz1n</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr/status/1684942239317766144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### A star for Poland

At the international level, Balcerowski didn’t take long to establish himself as a player for Poland. The 22-year-old was part of the Poland team that finished in eighth place at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, where he was the youngest player competing. Over eight games, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds. Three years later, at EuroBasket 2022, Balcerowski showed that he had taken a big step forward in his development by posting 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists as Poland made it to the semifinals.

New Panathinaikos Athens signing Olek Balcerowski celebrates a made bucket for Gran Canaria in the 2022-23 BKT EuroCup season.

Last season, Virtus Segafredo Bologna finally returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the first time since 2008. The team won the EuroCup in 2022 and earned the right to return to the top stage, where it finished 14th with a 14-20 record. For the new season, Virtus underwent a bit of roster turnover, but Coach Sergio Scariolo retained a fair amount of the core of the team that brought the Black V back to the elite. Here are some of the most interesting games the team will encounter in 2023-24 as it seeks to make a run at the playoffs:

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: 2023-24 games to watch 

Last season, [Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2023-24) finally returned to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for the first time since 2008. The team won the EuroCup in 2022 and earned the right to return to the top stage, where it finished 14th with a 14-20 record. For the new season, Virtus underwent a bit of roster turnover, but Coach Sergio Scariolo retained a fair amount of the core of the team that brought the Black V back to the elite. Here are some of the most interesting games the team will encounter in 2023-24 as it seeks to make a run at the playoffs:

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna regular-season schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/games/vir/?season=2023-24)

### Another edition of a classic Italian derby

[Round 8: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-ea7-emporio-armani-milan/E2023/68/#comparison)

Virtus and Milan combine for a total of 46 Italian League titles and when they meet for the first time for the mid-November game, it will be a rematch of last season's Italian League finals. Virtus swept the two EuroLeague regular season encounters: 59-64 in Round 7 and 89-84 in Round 34, last season, though neither managed to make the playoffs. In domestic competition, Milan took its sweet revenge by lifting the title in the final game of the series, so expect a new level in this classic rivalry for the new season.

Two Italian stallions of European basketball collide for an intriguing derby to close out their respective seasons. Progress to the knockout phases isn't possible for either, yet expect plenty of devotion and pride on display in this tussle for bragging rights.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs EA7 Emporio Armani Milan - Round 34 - Highlights

### A rematch of the continental final from 1981

[Round 13: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv/E2023/116/#comparison)

The year was 1981 and Maccabi Tel Aviv and Virtus Bologna were facing each other in the EuroLeague final. The game was close until the end, and when the dust settled, Maccabi lifted the title with an 80-79 win. Now, more than 40 years later we will see another rematch of that classic night. In 2022-23 each team managed to win its home game. Virtus won in Bologna, 78-73, but then Maccabi came back hard at them in Tel Aviv with a commanding 111-80 victory.

A rivalry that goes back almost five decades is revived with Virtus striving to build upon a morale-boosting win over ALBA when they entertain a Maccabi roster targeting another successful Italian job since emerging victorious away in a hard-fought showdown with Milan.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv - Round 14 - Highlights

### Coach Scariolo returns to Vitoria

[Round 14: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/120/#comparison)

It is no secret that coach Sergio Scariolo has strong ties with Spain. He coached there from 1997 to 2008 with Baskonia, Real Madrid and Unicaja Malaga. He returned to Baskonia in 2013-14 and he has coached the Spanish national team during two stints, including currently. Moreover, Virtus outlasted Baskonia in the best-of-five EuroLeague Finals in 2001 and point guard Nico Mannion, who spent the last two seasons in Bologna, is now with Baskonia. Last season, these teams split their regular season meetings, which were their first games against one another since 2007. A new chapter of the rivalry between these two classic teams is on the line.

A crucial clash in the race for the playoffs awaits as Baskonia, who boast EuroLeague's most potent offense with a 85.4 ppg average, travel to a Virtus group with an impressive perimeter defense, allowing opponents to make just 33.2% of their three-point shots thus far.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - Round 25 - Highlights

### A duel of recent EuroCup winners

[Round 26: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/15/#comparison)

Two of the last three EuroCup champions will square off in the season's second round. Monaco won its first European trophy through the 2021 EuroCup and Virtus captured the crown the following season. When Virtus won, it was led by  French center Mam Jaiteh, who this summer left Bologna to sign for Monaco. Last season, Monaco won both meetings between these teams by an average of 15 points. Virtus will try to turn things around when it hosts Monaco in this late-season clash that could have an impact on the playoff races for both teams.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna - AS Monaco | Round 1 | Highlights

Virtus Segafredo Bologna news

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: 2023-24 games to watch

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has added another weapon to its backcourt by signing shooting guard Antonius Cleveland for the coming season. Cleveland (1.96 meters, 29 years old) finished the previous season in Israel with Hapoel Eilat. Cleveland will make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut next season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv brings in defensive star Antonius Cleveland

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv has added another weapon to its backcourt by signing shooting guard Antonius Cleveland to a two-year contract. Cleveland (1.96 meters, 29 years old) finished the previous season in Israel with Hapoel Eilat. He averaged 17.6 points on 40.7% three-point shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 11 games. Cleveland would have ranked third in the league in scoring if he had played enough games to qualify for the leaderboard. He also was the Israeli League slam dunk contest champion. Cleveland will make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut next season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">✒️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ac_uno1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ac_uno1</a> <a href="https://t.co/pxk5Wfbxpk">pic.twitter.com/pxk5Wfbxpk</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1684615962148970517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Two successful years in Australia

Cleveland started the 2022-23 season with the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian League. There, he averaged 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals in 28 appearances. Cleveland repeated as the winner of the Damian Martin Trophy as the Australian League's Defensive Player of the Year. He won it in his first season in Australia, 2021-22, with the Illawarra Hawks, too.

NBL23 MVP: Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland

After starring at Southeast Missouri State University, Cleveland spent the first four years of his professional career in the NBA and the G League. He played for both the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA and for the Santa Cruz Warriors, the Texas Legends and the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League. Cleveland is Maccabi's third signing of the summer, following the additions of James Webb and Tamir Blatt.

Antonius Cleveland, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's third signing of the summer, in action for Hapoel Eilat in the Israeli League last season.

Maccabi brings in defensive star Antonius Cleveland

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has been punching above its weight since reaching the last games of the finals of the new EuroLeague in 2001. Five subsequent Final Four appearances, including another runner-up finish, have only shown that Baskonia never backs down. Missing the playoffs last year by one spot was a rarity for Baskonia. Its goal in 2023-24, as always, will be to relentlessly battle the big boys and do so showing its trademark fighting character every step of the way.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: 2023-24 games to watch

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz has been punching above its weight since reaching the last games of the finals of the new EuroLeague in 2001. Five subsequent Final Four appearances, including another runner-up finish, have only shown that Baskonia never backs down. Missing the playoffs last year by one spot was a rarity for Baskonia. Its goal in 2023-24, as always, will be to relentlessly battle the big boys and to do so showing its trademark fighting character every step of the way.

Check out [Baskonia's full schedule](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/games/bas/?season=2023-24)

### A rival visits on opening night

[Round 1: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-real-madrid/E2023/8/#comparison)

It may not be *El Clásico*, but it's pretty close in terms of competitive fervor and fan anticipation. Among their many great games over the years, Baskonia has given better than it has gotten from the all-time most successful EuroLeague giants. In fact, after becoming the only team to go unbeaten against Real in the EuroLeague last season, Baskonia now leads their pan-European head-to-head games 9-7. All those games have been played since 2016 and rarely do they fail to deliver drama, regardless of their positions in the standings. Expect nothing less when Real visits Vitoria-Gasteiz in the season opener for both teams.

With Edy Tavares expected to miss out through injury, league-leading Real attempt to extend their winning-sequence to six when they entertain a Baskonia group confronting Spanish oppositon for the second round in succession after blasting 114 points ina triumph over Valencia.

Real Madrid vs Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - Round 27 - Highlights

### Deserved optimism and a former teammate in Istanbul

[Round 16: Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/140/#comparison)

Historically, home teams win 62.7% of all EuroLeague games. What to make, then, of road teams having won 60% of the 25 games this century between Baskonia and Efes? For Baskonia, that spells opportunity. Baskonia would have made the playoffs last spring if not for having suffered the worst road record (4-13) among the top 14 teams. Its first task next season is to win some more games away. With a 5-7 record on Efes's court to date, Baskonia should smell blood en route to this Round 16 trip to Sinan Erdem Sports Hall to face its former point guard, [Darius Thompson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/anadolu-efes-inks-all-euroleague-playmaker-darius-thompson/).

Efes resume their quest for a third crown in three years while in pursuit of a sixth win in succession. Their opponents Baskonia also hold a 7-5 account and appear as outside-contenders for glory come the postseason, Who will advance with an upper-hand after this encounter?

Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - Round 13 - Highlights

### Matching up with the mighty Reds

[Round 21: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Olympiacos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/188/#comparison)

Baskonia missed the playoffs in the final round of the last regular season by losing to eventual finalist Olympiacos Piraeus. After signing its first Greek player, [Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-tabs-forward-nikos-rogkavopoulos/) since Ioannis Bourousis took the team to the Final Four in 20016, Baskonia would like nothing better than for history to repeat itself. Nothing would boost Baskonia's confidence to take a step higher next season than stealing a win from the mighty Reds. That is most likely to happen at home in Round 21  but will require an extra-sharp Baskonia and all the help that Buesa Arena can offer.

Baskonia embark on a monumental challenge of gaining the coveted win they need to secure a playoff place by visiting league-leaders Olympiacos, who can guarantee themselves top seed status for the postseason via yet another homecourt triumph.

Olympiacos Piraeus vs Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz - Round 34 - Highlights

### Is a dish of revenge on the menu for the regular-season finale?

[Round 34: Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/303/#comparison)

If Baskonia's season goes like the last one and it dominates at home while struggling on the road, its fate could well come down to visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Round 34 to close the regular season. It will be the last of four road games Baskonia plays in the final five rounds. The same game late last season would have helped Baskonia's cause, but its first loss in Bologna since the [title-deciding fifth game of the 2001 finals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2000-01/kinder-virtus-bologna-tau-ceramica-vitoria-gasteiz/E2000/169/#boxscore) was another opportunity that got away for a team that finished ninth. The season finale might be the right moment for Baskonia to avenge both of those past defeats.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz news

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade announced a signing of experienced center Ognjen Kuzmic to a new contract.

Crvena Zvezda keeps veteran big man Ognjen Kuzmic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade announced that experienced center [Ognjen Kuzmic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/ognjen-kuzmic/003479/) has agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Kuzmic (2.13 meters, 33 years old), a veteran of eight Turkish Airlines EuroLeague seasons and 167 career appearances in the competition, is in his third stint with Zvezda, which began in the summer of 2020. The new contract will give Kuzmic seven seasons in a Zvezda jersey. 

Last season Kuzmic started in 16 of his 21 appearances. He played just over 9 minutes per game averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds. He has career averages of 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Ognjen Kuzmic highlights in 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons

Ognjen Kuzmic highlights since 2021-22 season

### His EuroLeague career

Kuzmic made his EuroLeague debut with Panathinaikos Athens in 2015. His first stint with Zvezda was in the 2016-17 campaign, which was his best season to date, he averaged 9.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. He then spent two injury-plagued seasons with Real Madrid, with which he won the 2018 EuroLeague. Kuzmic returned to Zvezda for the 2019-20 campaign which he split between Zvezda and on-loan at FMP Zeleznik.

### The early years

Before arriving to the EuroLeague, Kuzmic won the 2015 NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors and G-League championship with Santa Cruz. Earlier in his career, Kuzmic also played for Borac Nektar Banja Luka and Celik Zenica in his native Bosnia and Herzegovina, UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki and Lapuan Korikobrat in Finland, as well as Clinica Rincon Axarquia and Joventut Badalona in Spain.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Centar Crvene zvezde mts Ognjen Kuzmić produžio je ugovor sa crveno-belima! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Sa KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet Ognjen Kuzmić je osvojio čak 11 trofeja: 4 ABA lige, 3 nacionalna šampionata i 4 Kupa Radiivoj Korać. U crveno-belom dresu odigrao je čak 297 utakmica i postigao 1727… <a href="https://t.co/7feF1OMNoX">pic.twitter.com/7feF1OMNoX</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1684519936784302082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade: 2023-24 games to watch

Jasiel Rivero heads to Maccabi

Juancho Hernangomez makes Panathinaikos even more unpredictable

Alex Poythress completes move to Milan

Panathinaikos adds size with Olek Balcerowski

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: 2023-24 games to watch

Maccabi brings in defensive star Antonius Cleveland

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: 2023-24 games to watch

Crvena Zvezda re-signs Ognjen Kuzmic for 2 more seasons