Zvezda (10-20) must overcome its disappointment at suffering elimination from postseason action as it welcomes a Virtus (17-13) team also needing a change of fortunes.
Luca Banchi, Virtus: 'A match that promises to be very insidious'
Virtus seeks to bounce back from a bad night in Kaunas earlier this week, when a career-high 15 points from Rihards Lomazs was nowhere near enough to prevent a heavy defeat, meaning the Italian team has now suffered six consecutive road losses. Zvezda's latest defeat came at home against Panathinaikos on Wednesday, but the return of Milos Teodosic and Nemanja Nedovic after injury will give hope that a six-game losing run can be ended on Friday. Toko Shengelia netted 19 points to lead Virtus past Zvezda, 85-79, in October, and his leadership will be vital for Luca Banchi's faltering team.
Luca Banchi, Virtus head coach
"In Belgrade we are expecting an opponent very determined to end this EuroLeague season with high-profile performances, especially in front of their fans. We will approach this match with the imperative to equalize their physical prowess and aggressiveness on the rebound, a key aspect to control the pace of a match that promises to be very insidious."
Rihards Lomasz, Virtus player
"We know what to expect, it's one of the toughest crowds in Europe. They have nothing to lose, for us it's the matter to put 40 minutes together, we always put in 25 or 30 but we need to play all 40 and the result should be good. We're really motivated and ready to win this game."