Besiktas GAIN Istanbul-ratiopharm ulm | Round 13 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Besiktas GAIN Istanbul v ratiopharm ulm (2026-01-06T17:00:00.000Z)

EuroCup Round 12: Top 10 plays

ratiopharm ulm-Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

ratiopharm ulm v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2026-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Neptunas Klaipeda-Umana Reyer Venice | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Neptunas Klaipeda v Umana Reyer Venice (2026-01-02T16:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento-London Lions | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Dolomiti Energia Trento v London Lions (2025-12-30T19:00:00.000Z)

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson-Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Aris Thessaloniki Betsson v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-12-30T18:30:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-12-30T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem-BAXI Manresa | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem v BAXI Manresa (2025-12-30T18:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Slask Wroclaw | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Slask Wroclaw (2025-12-30T17:00:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens (2025-12-30T17:15:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-12-30T16:00:00.000Z)

NINERS Chemnitz-Besiktas GAIN Istanbul | Round 12 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

NINERS Chemnitz v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-12-23T18:00:00.000Z)

EuroCup Round 11: Top 10 plays

Veolia Towers Hamburg-Aris Thessaloniki Betsson | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (2025-12-17T18:30:00.000Z)

London Lions-Besiktas GAIN Istanbul | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

London Lions v Besiktas GAIN Istanbul (2025-12-17T19:30:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw-BAXI Manresa | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Slask Wroclaw v BAXI Manresa (2025-12-17T18:00:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Umana Reyer Venice v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-12-17T19:00:00.000Z)

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens – ratiopharm ulm | Round 11 | EuroCup Basketball 2025-26

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens v ratiopharm ulm (2025-12-17T17:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara - Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 11 | EuroCup Basketball 2025-26

Turk Telekom Ankara v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2025-12-17T16:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca - Neptunas Klaipeda | Round 11 | EuroCup Basketball 2025-26

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Neptunas Klaipeda (2025-12-17T16:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-12-16T19:00:00.000Z)

Lietkabelis Panevezys-NINERS Chemnitz | Round 11 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

Lietkabelis Panevezys v NINERS Chemnitz (2025-12-16T17:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem | Round 11 highlights | EuroCup 2025-26

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (2025-12-16T17:30:00.000Z)

EuroCup Round 10: Top 10 plays

BAXI Manresa-Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana | Round 10 Highlights | 2025-26 BKT EuroCup

BAXI Manresa v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-12-10T19:45:00.000Z)

Latest Videos

Round 12

Round 13 is upon us, which means we are entering the final third of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Wins are important, but also finding the tie-break advantage, so details matter. That can be said about the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, too. 

Fantasy tips, Round 13: Closer to the finish line!

Round 13 is upon us, which means we are entering the final third of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Wins are important, but also finding the tie-break advantage, so details matter. That can be said about the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, too. 

Having trouble putting your team together? Don't worry, we have your back, and you may find this entertaining. Here are my recommendations for Round 13, curated by me, Javier Gancedo, ranking 490th overall (yes, I did well last week).

Rihards Lomazs, Devon Daniels, Amadou Sow, Rasheed Sulaimon and Michael Flowers are featured in this week's article.

EuroCup Fantasy tips, Round 13

### Devon Daniels, Hamburg Towers (10.6 credits)

[Devon Daniels](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/devon-daniels-iv/014172/) has given Hamburg a big boost since he arrived, averaging 17.8 points, 2.4 assists and a PIR of 16.0 despite his poor three-point shooting percentage (18.2% 3FG). In Round 12 against Bahcesehir, Daniels had 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting and a PIR of 21, hitting his only shot from downtown. Great potential!

### Rihards Lomazs, Neptunas Klaipeda (11.9 credits)

Neptunas has the fastest pace in the competition and [Rihards Lomazs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rihards-lomazs/005553/) is making the most of it. He has taken things up a notch in the last two games, averaging 24.0 points, 4.5 assists and a PIR of 21.5. Lomasz scored 14 points or more in his last nine games, and it should be another high-scoring showdown against Hamburg.

### Rasheed Sulaimon, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (11.8 credits)

[Rasheed Sulaimon](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/rasheed-sulaimon/011150/) hit rock-bottom in Round 9, amassing a PIR of -6 against Bourg. Since then, he has been simply unstoppable, averaging 17.3 points on solid shooting (76.5% 2FG, 47.1% 3FG), 4.3 assists and a PIR of 19.3. Buducnost faces high-scoring Panionios, so it is another great opportunity for him to keep going.

### Amadou Sow, NINERS Chemnitz (9.0 credits)

Kevin Yebo is getting all the attention but [Amadou Sow](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/amadou-sow/012598/) has been equally effective lately at Chemnitz's center spot. He had a PIR of 13 or higher in each of the last five games, averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and a PIR of 18.4. At just 9.0 credits, Sow is a bargain choice in the middle, a rarity so deep into the season.

### Michael Flowers, Lietkabelis Panevezys (12.2 credits)

Did you watch last week's game against Ulm? If you did, you will know what I am about to say. [Michael Flowers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/michael-flowers/014159/) was a walking bucket, hitting shots from every angle to get 26 points and a PIR of 29. He followed that with 25 points and a PIR of 31 in Lithuanian League action. When a shooter is hot, you have to go for him!

Javier Gancedo is back with this week's fantasy recommendations

London Lions v NINERS Chemnitz (2026-01-07T19:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2026-01-07T19:00:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Neptunas Klaipeda (2026-01-07T18:45:00.000Z)

Slask Wroclaw v Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (2026-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2026-01-07T17:30:00.000Z)

Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2026-01-07T17:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2026-01-07T16:00:00.000Z)

BAXI Manresa v Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (2026-01-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2026-01-06T18:00:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice’s 118-point outburst in Round 12 underscores the growing importance of contested catch-and-shoot threats and floor spacing in the EuroCup.
•  EuroCup stats review, catch-and-shoot three-pointers, Umana Reyer Venice, Kyle Wiltjer, Denzel Valentine, Corey Davis, Both Gach, EuroCup shooting trends


Stats review: Reyer’s red-hot shooting and the value of floor spacers 

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/vnc/) turned in the top offensive performance of Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup when it went for [118 points on the road](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/overjoyed-kyle-wiltjer-leads-historic-reyer-offense-in-shootout-win/) in Svyturio Arena against [Neptunas Klaipeda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/neptunas-klaipeda/kla/). Shooting 15-for-28 from beyond the arc, Reyer put together one of the best shooting efforts of the season thanks in large part to the 7 contested catch-and-shoot three-point attempts it converted.

Reyer found the bottom of the net even when Neptunas was in the right spots defensively, but its spacing was as impactful as it had been all year. At the EuroCup level, it is easy to take the way teams maintain, create, and capitalize on their spacing for granted - every team does it so well on nearly every possession that it is usually only obvious when a team is not spreading the court effectively.

With offenses often placing four and sometimes five players along the three-point line, having multiple shooters who are a threat to make shots off the ball spreads out defenses. Some players take that even a step further with their ability to make catch-and-shoot three-point attempts on the move or over effective closeouts, adding a different dimension to their teams' offense and redefining the value of their spacing.

Several of the players in the group above serve as prime examples of shooters who amplify their teams' spacing beyond just potential shots and open looks. The table lists the top players in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage this season with their total number of makes listed for reference and the percentage of their total attempts that were contested by a defender listed to illustrate how often they shoot right over the top of closeouts.

[Corey Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/corey-davis-jr-/013890/) of [NINERS Chemnitz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/niners-chemnitz/nin/) and [Both Gach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/both-gach/013900/) of [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/) have been this season’s two most reliable set shooters, making over half of their attempts. With a height difference of 15 centimeters between them, size can be a factor for some shooters, but does not stop players like Davis at this level.   

That ability to shoot over closeouts was particularly key for Reyer last week and a factor in its offensive efficiency on the year overall. [Denzel Valentine](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/denzel-valentine-/013930/) and [Kyle Wiltjer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-wiltjer/008052/) combined to make 6 contested catch-and-shoot three-point attempts in Round 12 and, as the table suggests, none of this season's knockdown perimeter threats have shot over defenders as often as that duo.

On the other end of the spectrum are players like Gach, [Yigit Arslan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yigit-arslan/007914/), and [Karolis Lukosiunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/karolis-lukosiunas/006158/), whose consistency is driven by their accuracy on open looks. Arslan is particularly notable in that regard as his [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-gain-istanbul/bes/) team has produced a league-high 132 open catch-and-shoot jumpers on the year and knocked down a second-ranked 46% of them. 

Quality floor spacers remain at a premium in the EuroCup this season as three teams are making over 40% of their catch-and-shoot three-point attempts. That’s the same number as last season, but down slightly from the year before. While capable shooters keep defenders honest and consistent shooters play a key role in their team’s offensive efficiency, players who take and make contested shots at volume put unique stress on opposing teams.

From Corey Davis to Kyle Wiltjer, elite shooters are redefining spacing and offensive efficiency

Bahcesehir College Istanbul adds American guard Jordan Ford, a former EuroCup standout with Trento and NBA experience, to strengthen its backcourt for the 2025-26 season.


Bahcesehir banks on ballhandler Jordan Ford 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul has strengthened its backcourt by signing American guard [Jordan Ford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-ford/profile/013270/), the club announced on Friday. Ford (1.85 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Italy, where he started the campaign with Trapani Shark and averaged 13.3 points and 4.4 assists in 13 Italian League games. He provided a further 13.2 points and 4.0 assists in the BCL.

Ford returns to the EuroCup after shining for Dolomiti Energia Trento last season. He was fifth in the competition with 16.4 points per game. Ford also contributed 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 18 appearances – with all but one coming off the bench. He helped Trento win the Italian Cup too.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Yeni transferimiz Jordan Ford’u tanıyalım! 👇<a href="https://t.co/jzTaE3NRtz">https://t.co/jzTaE3NRtz</a> <a href="https://t.co/JM233CGAox">pic.twitter.com/JM233CGAox</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/2007041857654784367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After a standout college career at Saint Mary’s, Ford began his professional in the G League with Agua Caliente Clippers in February 2021. Later that year, Ford came to Europe for the first time when he joined Peristeri in Greece. Ford suited up for the Stockton Kings in the G League in 2022-23 and debuted in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings the following season.

The combo-guard should compliment fellow high-scorer Malachi Flynn in the Bahcesehir backcourt to power a team that is tied for second in Group A of the EuroCup with an 8-4 record. Bahcesehir visits Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Round 13 on Tuesday.

More from Bahcesehir

Ford arrives from Italy’s Trapani Shark after averaging 16.4 points in EuroCup with Trento last season

Panionios BC Cosmorama Travel announced the signing of American guard Joe Thomasson, who brings experience from top European leagues and domestic titles in Poland and Israel. Thomasson joins after playing for TOFAŞ Bursa earlier this season and Gran Canaria last year.

Panionios pounces on playmaker Joe Thomasson for backcourt boost

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens strengthened its perimeter with the addition of experienced guard [Joe Thomasson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-thomasson/012095/), the club announced Wednesday. Thomasson (1.93 meters, 32 years old) arrives after starting the current season with Tofas Bursa in Turkiye and playing last season for Gran Canaria in Spain.

Thomasson averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 12 Turkish League games this season, though his role has dipped over the past month. He had not played more than 15 minutes in a game since mid-November, when Furkan Korkmaz joined the team.

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This season will be Thomasson's third in the EuroCup. He debuted with Promitheas Patras in January 2023 before suiting up for Gran Canaria last season. Thomasson averaged 8.1 points on 42.1% three-point shooting last season to help Gran Canaria reach the EuroCup Finals. In between, he made his EuroLeague debut with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2024-25 campaign.

Thomasson brings Panionios proven experience and leadership to a struggling Panionios team that has undergone a series of coaching changes this season, most recently hiring Nenad Markovic as its new bench boss on Tuesday.

After playing college basketball at State Fair Community College and Wright State University, Thomasson made his professional debut in Romania with Dinamo Bucharest and has since played in the G League (Maine Red Claws, Erie Bay Hawks), Poland (Starogard Gdansk, Start Lublin, Stelmet Zielona Gora), Russia (Burevestnik Yaroslav, Zenit St Petersburg), Israel (Hapoel Galil Gilboa, Maccabi Tel Aviv), Spain (Manresa, Granada, Gran Canaria), Greece (Promitheas), and Turkiye (Tofas). He has won national championships in Poland with Zielona Gora in 2020 and Israel with Maccabi in 2024.

More Panionios news

Thomasson brings championship pedigree and proven shooting to Panionios

Nenad Marković returns for his third spell at Panionios—now as head coach—to rescue a season in crisis. The club, rooted in his playing and coaching past, today taps his EuroLeague, Intercontinental Cup, and multiple-league pedigree to reverse its fortunes domestically and in Europe.

Nenad Markovic makes coaching comeback to Panionios 

Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens announced on Tuesday evening that Nenad Markovic is returning to the club as its new head coach. The move marks his third stint at the club, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the team.

Markovic, 57, has a storied history with Panionios. He stared for the team as a player for two seasons and later spent two seasons on the sidelines for Panionios early in his coaching career. He guided the club to a third-place finish in the 2007–08 Greek League and returned for another run in 2009–10.

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS5nZcNDqU7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by 🏀 Panionios  Basketball 🏀 (@panioniosgssbc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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His coaching resume includes spells periods across Europe—with time at KAOD in Greece; Trabzonspor, Pınar Karşıyaka, Gaziantep, and Bursaspor in Turkiye, JDA Dijon in France, Dinamo Sassari in Italy and Tenerife in Spain. He guided Tenerife to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2017.

Before that, Markovic enjoyed a standout playing career as a point guard in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Spain, Israel, Switzerland, France and Greece.

Markovic returns to Panionios amid a challenging season, currently bottom of Group B of the EuroCup at 1–11 and struggling in domestic play with the same record. He will be the fifth coach to lead Panionios this season. Luka Pavicevic served as head coach for the team's first three EuroCup games and Chris Chougkaz was the interim head coach in Round 4 before Ilias Zouros took the reins. Zouros resigned over the weekend and Nikos Karagiannis, the head coach of the Panionios basketball academy, served as interim head coach.

Markovic's immediate task is steer the historic club back to stability and recapture past glories.

The coach with deep club roots returns to Panionios to aid in midseason turnaround

Two seasons after winning MVP honors in Finland, Both Gach is thriving in his EuroCup debut with JL Bourg-en-Bresse. Discover his journey from Kosovo to France.

From Finland to France: Both Gach’s EuroCup breakthrough

BC Nokia wasn’t expected to contend for the Finnish League title in 2023–24. But the team defied predictions, captured its first championship, and [Both Gach](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/both-gach/013900/) emerged as the leader—winning season MVP and Finals MVP honors. That magical run still fuels his confidence today.

Now, Gach is making his EuroCup debut with [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/), helping the French club climb to the top of Group B. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 12.5 points through 11 games and embracing the rhythm of continental competition.

“I’ve enjoyed playing multiple games a week. It’s better than playing once a week,” Gach said. “The EuroCup has been fun. Our team has been doing really well. I enjoy every minute of it.”

Best of Both Gach (Rounds 1-11, 2025-26)

### Starting small: Kosovo to Finland

Gach’s European journey began in Kosovo in November 2022 after his NBA hopes out of Utah didn’t materialize. He joined Sigal Prishtina, averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

“Kosovo was a unique experience because it was my first time in Europe,” he said. “I honestly didn’t care where in Europe I was going to go. I told my agent you could send me to probably the worst country in Europe and I’d go play basketball. Because at the end of the day, I just knew at some point I’d get to the level I wanted to get to because I believe in my game, my confidence and my talent.”

That belief paid off when he moved to Finland and joined Nokia — a team projected to finish last. Instead, they finished second in the regular season and stormed through the playoffs, winning the title in seven games against defending champion Helsinki Seagulls.

“It was very magical,” Gach said. “In the preseason, they had us finishing last. But we had a really good coaching staff and teammates. Everyone was bought in.”

“I honestly didn’t care where in Europe I was going to go. I told my agent you could send me to probably the worst country in Europe and I’d go play basketball. Because at the end of the day, I just knew at some point I’d get to the level I wanted to get to because I believe in my game, my confidence and my talent.”

Gach averaged 21.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists during the season and 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in the Finals. He delivered when it mattered most: 28 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 and 29 points and 13 rebounds in Game 7.

“I spent a lot of time putting in extra work in the gym,” he said. “Whenever you’re doing that, plus getting confidence from teammates and coaches, the sky’s the limit.”

### Lessons from Turkiye

After Finland, Gach stepped up to Darussafaka Istanbul in Turkiye. Despite averaging 11.1 points, the season ended in disappointment as the club was relegated.

“The biggest lesson was just never get too comfortable,” he said. “Circumstances were changing all the time. You’ve just got to keep a positive mindset and not let any of that stuff affect your game.”

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ2XsC7DZM1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Both Gach (@lankyboy11)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Thriving in Bourg

Gach has found stability — and success — at Bourg. He’s scored 18+ points in four EuroCup games, including 22 points and a PIR of 30 against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in [Round 9](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gach-greatness-boosts-bourg-over-buducnost/).

And it all traces back to Finland, where confidence and opportunity converged.

“I wanted to get to that next level really, really bad,” Gach said. “That season showed me what’s possible when you put in the work.”

More from JL Bourg

Two years after a historic title with Nokia, Gach is powering JL Bourg’s EuroCup charge

At just 21, Tobias Jensen has become a leader at ratiopharm Ulm. Discover how the Danish guard rose from youth prospect to EuroCup standout and embraced a veteran role.

From prospect to leader: Tobias Jensen’s Journey at ratiopharm ulm 

[Tobias Jensen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tobias-jensen/010726/) is just 21, but at [ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/), he’s already the voice of experience. The Danish point guard arrived at the Orange Campus as a 16-year-old in 2020. Six seasons later, he’s not only a fixture in the lineup but a leader on and off the court.

This year marks Jensen’s breakout. After averaging 2.6 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.0 assist across his first 36 EuroCup games, he’s now producing 11.7 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in nearly 30 minutes per game—while hitting 42.3% from three-point range. For a player once seen as a long-term project, the leap has been dramatic.

The transformation began last spring and accelerated in February, when injuries opened the door and Jensen seized the moment. “I started every game and kept performing,” he said. “From then on, I was playing a lot and just needed to get more comfortable on the court.”

Best of Tobias Jensen (Rounds 1-11, 2025-26)

Jensen’s rise coincided with the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, where he starred for Denmark during the national team window. In two games, he totaled 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in 50 minutes — a confidence boost that carried into Ulm’s season.

“We had the February national team window, where I played and performed (well). And then when I got back after that window, I started every game and I kept performing,” Jensen said. “From then on, I was playing a lot and I just needed to get more comfortable on the court, which also showed in the box scores as I started scoring a lot more.”

By the German League Finals against FC Bayern Munich, Jensen was one of Ulm’s best players, averaging 9.8 points on 60% three-point shooting, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in nearly 30 minutes per game during the five-game series.

“Now to be able to be involved in the game and have a voice or having to do something is very nice.”


### From young gun to locker room leader

Jensen debuted for Ulm’s pro team on November 20, 2022, but his role has evolved dramatically. “I've been here for many years and worked my way up from the youth teams to the first team,” he said. “In the beginning, I was just one of the young guys. I didn't play much. And now to be able to be involved in the game and have a voice or having to do something is very nice.”

He won’t turn 22 until May, yet Jensen is now one of Ulm’s longest-serving players. With veteran Tommy Klepeisz and only two other returnees — Nelson Weidemann and Alec Anigbata — Jensen has embraced a leadership role.

“It was something I had to get used to,” he admitted. “In the beginning, I was always used to other people on the team who could explain concepts to a new person. Now I have that job. I have to help my teammates with stuff they don't know, or tell them if they're doing something wrong. That’s definitely been a change.”

<center>
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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRuWuc6jbbl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Tobias Jensen (@tobias.brahe.jensen)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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### Family ties and offseason growth

Ulm’s philosophy of giving young talent a platform has shaped Jensen’s journey. From Killian Hayes to Juan Núñez, the club has consistently trusted teenagers with big roles. “It helps you in the way that you’re not the only young guy trying to figure everything out,” Jensen said. “There are other players my age, other players who are not that experienced. So it helps me in the way that there are other people I can talk with about stuff outside of practice.”

After last season, Jensen returned to Denmark for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers and spent the summer training with his father, Jens Jensen, a Danish basketball legend who won 10 league titles and played 58 games for the national team.

“We worked a lot on me creating stuff for myself with the ball,” Tobias said. “Either the mid-range jump shot, creating a shot for myself, or different finishes around the rim.”

Growing up, Jens was both coach and dad — a dynamic Tobias remembers well. “He was always the ‘dad coach’, and it wasn’t easy going between ‘Okay, now we’re at practice, now he’s the coach; now we’re at home, now he’s the dad,’” Jensen recalled.

With his contract expiring last season, Jensen drew interest from other German clubs — especially since he counts as a domestic player. But he chose to stay. “Out of those teams, Ulm was by far the best option in terms of the facilities, but also because they play EuroCup and have a good history with young players improving in their program. So that was not really a no-brainer,” he said.

And so, Tobias Jensen remains Ulm’s steady hand — a veteran at 21, guiding a new generation while writing his own next chapter.

More from ratiopharm ulm

Jensen’s rise reflects Ulm’s commitment to youth – and his own relentless work ethic

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If you want to succeed in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge, you need to find the hot players at the right prices. Here are five to consider this week.

Round 11 fantasy tips: Uncovering value

The secret to success in the [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) is maximizing value. That means getting points from your cheapest players, picking up others when they are hot and getting the superstars that you can afford. As we head into Round 11, there are players who fit those criteria available. Before you finalize your team, consider these options.  

[Kamar Baldwin, Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kamar-baldwin/012597/) (11.0 credits) – It looks like Kamar Baldwin has found his groove. The combo-guard, who in playing his first EuroCup season, missed a pair of games early in the season and only posted a PIR of double figures once in his first five appearances. Since then, however, Baldwin has averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals for a PIR of 19.7 over his last three games. He is now the go-to guy in the Trento backcourt. 

[Sam Dekker, London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/sam-dekker/009672/) (15.1 credits) – This is a calculated risk. When healthy, Dekker is a dominant fantasy – and real life – force. Since his return from injury, Dekker has played limited minutes (12:44 per game) and as a result, his fantasy price has dropped by 0.7 credits. He played nearly double that in the British League on Friday and was in uniform for 14 more minutes in domestic action on Sunday. This week London plays Hamburg, which has allowed the most points in the EuroCup this season (96.9 ppg.). This may be the time to invest in Dekker. 

EuroCup Round 11 Fantasy tips

[L.J. Figueroa, ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/lj-figueroa/012603/) (11.8 credits) – Here are three encouraging facts about LJ Figueroa. He is coming off his best game (20 points, 23 PIR). His previous best game came against this week’s opponent, Dreamland Gran Canaria, in Round 2 (19 points, 20 PIR). His last three games have been his best three-game stretch of the season with averages of 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, PIR 17.3. Is it Figueroa time? 

[Marvin Jones, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marvin-jones/010248/) (9.4 credits) – Marvin Jones’s role in the Buducnost offense has grown in recent weeks. He has averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds for a PIR of 22.5 over his last two appearances. Jones has taken at least 10 shots in both of those games after not attempting more than 7 in any previous game this season. Jones struggled against this week’s opponent, Turk Telekom Ankara, in Round 2 with a PIR of -2, however, this is a home game and Jones, Buducnost and Turk Telekom are in different places today than they were in early October. 

[Jovan Kljajic, Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/) (4.6 credits) – One of the best cheap options in the game is Jovan Kljajic, who has continued to offer very good production for his price in recent weeks. Since Round 8, he has averaged 7.7 points and a PIR of 8.3. The outside shots have not been falling; Kljajic is shooting just 17.4% from downtown. Imagine what might happen if he heats up? Plus, Kljajic plays on Tuesday this week, so there is little risk. 

See how your team got on in Round 13 of the 2025-26 BKT EuroCup season.

Game Center: Round 13

## Tuesday, January 6

### [Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 97-76 ratiopharm ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/besiktas-gain-istanbul-ratiopharm-ulm/U2025/127/)

Besiktas remained the only undefeated team at home in the EuroCup by rolling past Ulm 97-76 to snap a two-game losing streak. Besiktas took control of the game with a 23-4 run spanning the middle two quarters to improve to 9-4 overall and 7-0 at home. 

Vitto Brown paced five Besiktas players in double figures with 23 points while Jonah Mathews scored 18 points with 4 assists and Ante Zizic tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Ulm continues to struggle with its sixth loss in the last seven games for a 5-8 record. Christopher Ledlum paced the guests with 17 points.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Evimizde galibiyet bizim! 💪<br><br>Beşiktaş GAİN 97-76 ratiopharm ulm | Maç Sonucu <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBlackEagleRises?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBlackEagleRises</a> 🦅 <a href="https://t.co/kGe4M92CL2">pic.twitter.com/kGe4M92CL2</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş GAİN (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/2008612988681584883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [BAXI Manresa 113-99 Aris Thessaloniki Betsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/baxi-manresa-aris-thessaloniki-betsson/U2025/122/)

Manresa moved ahead of its opposition on Tuesday night at Pavello Nou Congost, holding on to win by 14 and move to 7-6 for the season. The home team's best work was done in the first half, in which they smashed their single-half scoring record by 63 in the opening 20 minutes. Despite a buoyant fourth quarter comeback attempt, Aris couldn’t quite come back from a sizeable 32-point deficit, so slips below the hosts with a 6-7 EuroCup record.

Diego Ocampo’s team scored by committee on their way to victory, with Retin Obasohan leading the way with 18 points from 7-10 shooting. Ferran Bassas, Agustin Ubal and Gerard Fernandez all finished the game with a total of 14, while Marcis Steinbergs and Alex Reyes reached 12 apiece.

With the win Manresa bounces back from last week’s loss to Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem and strengthens its hopes of postseason basketball. Aris now holds a two-game losing streak, so will hope to regroup ahead of next week’s contest.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝟰𝗤<br>✅✅✅✅<br><br>113 🔴 𝗕𝗔𝗫𝗜 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮<br>99 🇬🇷 <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARISBCgr</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOMHIManresa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOMHIManresa</a> <a href="https://t.co/pZ7wOOyT6m">pic.twitter.com/pZ7wOOyT6m</a></p>&mdash; BAXI Manresa (@BasquetManresa) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasquetManresa/status/2008630915300245564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 59-67 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/U2025/123/)

Bahcesehir secured a 59-67 road win over Cedevita Olimpija at Arena Stozice in a closely contested Group A matchup, breaking the tie between the two sides to move to 9-4 in the standings, while Cedevita dropped to 8-5. After Cedevita held the momentum and built a 10-point lead by halftime, Bahcesehir responded with a strong third-quarter run. The Istanbul side took control in the second half, stretching the lead behind effective shooting from beyond the arc and closing out the game.

Matt Mitchell led Bahcesehir with 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Tyler Cavanaugh posted 12 points and 10 rebounds. Trevion Williams added 9 points and 10 rebounds, and Ismet Akpınar contributed 12 points. For Cedevita Olimpija, Umoja Gibson led the way with 25 points, Aleksej Nikolic added 16 points, and Luka Brajkovic finished with 6 points and 9 rebounds.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💪 Victory on the road!<br><br>BKT EuroCup | 13. Hafta | Maç Sonucu<br>🏀 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 59 – 67 Bahçeşehir Koleji<br><br>•⁠ ⁠Matt Mitchell: 13 sayı, 5 ribaund, 2 asist, 2 top çalma<br>•⁠ ⁠Tyler Cavanaugh: 12 sayı, 10 ribaund, 1 top çalma <br>•⁠ ⁠İsmet Akpınar: 12 sayı, 1 top… <a href="https://t.co/suW3RglJO8">pic.twitter.com/suW3RglJO8</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/2008631084800504276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Wednesday, January 7

### [Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (17:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/turk-telekom-ankara-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2025/130/)

Another showdown between direct rivals in Group B will see fourth-placed Turk Telekom (7-5) face fifth-placed Trento (7-5). The Italian team boosted its playoff ambitions by downing London last week, and will hope that backcourt star DeVante' Jones can stay red-hot after netting 33 points in that win. The last time Jones failed to score in double digits came in Round 4 against Turk Telekom, so the hosts will attempt to repeat that formula as it chases the win it needs to seal the head-to-head advantage. Trento will have to confront the three-point shooting of Jaleen Smith, who netted six triples in Turk Telekom’s loss at Buducnost last time out.

### [Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/lietkabelis-panevezys-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2025/128/)

Runaway Group B leader Bourg (10-2) will attempt to take another step towards the postseason by downing desperate Lietkabelis (3-9). The Lithuanian team kept its faint playoff hopes alive with a strong win over Ulm last week, led by 26 points from red-hot guard Micheal Flowers, and needs more of the same to avenge a 28-point thrashing at Bourg in Round 4. The French team narrowly overcame Panionios last week partly thanks to another stellar night from Both Gach, who has exceeded 20 points in three of the last four games. Bourg boasts the best defense in the competition (72.7 points allowed per game), so Lietkabelis will need to improve its competition-worst 47.3% two-point shooting conversion rate.

### [Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/panionios-cosmorama-travel-athens-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2025/129/)

Buducnost (8-4) will attempt to protect its position in Group B’s top two by piling more misery on rock-bottom Panionios (1-11). The Greek team fell short but delivered a much-improved performance under interim coach Nikos Karagiannis at Bourg last week, and will hope for another effective performance from forward Jackson Kreuser (16 points, 5 rebounds). Buducnost has lost its last two road games but will be confident of facing Panionios after smashing the Greek team by 28 points in Round 4, led by 16 points without a miss from shooting star Axel Bouteille, who ranks fifth in the competition with 51.7% of three-pointers converted. Panionios has only made 30% of its long-range strikes, so needs to improve that stat on Wednesday.

### [Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (19:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/slask-wroclaw-hapoel-midtown-jerusalem/U2025/121/)

High-flying Jerusalem (10-2) will attempt to maintain its two-game lead at the top of Group A by taking a road win from Slask (4-8). The Polish team has suffered four straight losses to fall out of the playoff places, and needs to improve a defense which has allowed 100.3 points during that run. That won't be easy against a Jerusalem team which made it nine wins in a row by blasting 105 points over Manresa last week, led by 20 points from Cassius Winston. To counter him the home team needs another top performance from Noah Kirkwood, who averages 15.4 points in the last five games. Hapoel leads the competition in field goal conversion (52.1%), so Slask’s defense needs to be at its best.

### [Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:45 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/veolia-towers-hamburg-neptunas-klaipeda/U2025/124/)

Neptunas (5-7) will attempt to climb into the all-important top six by ensuring that Hamburg (0-12) remains winless. The Lithuanian team has lost its last two games due to an alarming defensive dip, allowing 118 points in both games, but can rely on the remarkable consistent Rihards Lomasz, who has scored at least 14 points in nine straight games. Hamburg’s search for an elusive win took another hit with a 37-point defeat at Bahcesehir last week, despite Devon Daniels continuing his great form with 22 points. Hamburg has the worst three-point shooting record in the competition (26.7%), so needs the likes of Kenneth Ogbe (19.2% from deep) to find their range.

### [Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/umana-reyer-venice-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2025/125/)

A big battle in Group A will see Cluj (7-5) attempt to take a two-game margin over Reyer (6-6) by grabbing a key road win. The Italian team has won its last two games behind an outstanding offense, netting 118 points at Neptunas last time out as Kyle Wiltjer hit top gear with 28 points. Cluj has also won two straight with excellent offensive output, edging out Slask last week in a thriller thanks to a game winner from Dusan Miletic, who rediscovered his best form with 19 points and 14 rebounds. To compete with his physical presence, Reyer will need another strong night from Chris Horton, who has snared multiple steals in three straight games.

### [London Lions vs. NINERS Chemnitz (20:30 CET)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2025-26/london-lions-niners-chemnitz/U2025/126/)

The round concludes with another vital matchup in Group B as seventh placed London welcomes sixth placed Chemnitz. The German team is in its best form of the season after winning three consecutive games, most recently producing a barrage of three-pointers – including 3-of-4 from Nike Sibande – to stun Besiktas last week. But London has already beaten Chemnitz once this season, triumphing 67-68 on the road in Round 4, and will hope that Kam McGusty can return from injury absence to repeat his 20-points heroics from that night. London ranks last in the competition in turnovers (15.9 per game), so needs to play with greater efficiency to seal the head-to-head advantage.

Game Center: Manresa, Besiktas impress in home wins; Bahcesehir grabs road dub in Slovenia

The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup regular season is slowly heading towards its conclusion. Six rounds remain until the end of the group stage, after which we will know the names of the four teams that have directly qualified for the quarterfinals, the eight that go to the playoffs, and the eight that will end their participation after 18 games.

BKT EuroCup MVP watch: Can someone dethrone the king?

The 2025-26 BKT EuroCup regular season is slowly heading towards its conclusion. Six rounds remain until the end of the group stage, after which we will know the names of the four teams that have directly qualified for the quarterfinals, the eight that go to the playoffs, and the eight that will end their participation after 18 games.

So, after 12 games, it's the right time to look at which players have stood out so far as the best and who can enter the race for the EuroCup MVP award this season.

At the very top is last year's MVP Jared Harper, who is having another incredible season, but the American has serious competition this season. This is the list of the main candidates for the MVP award.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1915705/bkt-eurocup-mvp-watch-can-someone-dethrone-the-king/).

After 12 rounds, these are the main candidates for the prestigious BKT EuroCup award

Bahcesehir star Malachi Flynn opens up about adapting to European basketball, his pride in an all-around game, and the team’s push for a top-two EuroCup finish in an exclusive conversation with Javier Gancedo.

Malachi Flynn: 'Cedevita will definitely be a battle for us'

After a crucial win over Hamburg that snapped a rough stretch, [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/) star [Malachi Flynn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/malachi-flynn/013908/) sat down with Javier Gancedo from the official EuroCup website to discuss his first season in Europe, the adjustments that helped him thrive, and what it will take for Bahcesehir to finish strong. From his passion for improving every facet of his game to his love for hoops and music, Flynn offers insight into life on and off the court as Bahcesehir battles for playoff positioning.

**Let's talk about the win against Hamburg. You were in a tricky situation after losing three of the previous four games. How important was this win to have a fresh start in 2026?**

"We definitely dropped a couple of games that we didn't feel good about, but that's how the season goes. At the end of the day, sometimes you hit a little... I don't want to call it a rough patch, but you hit some times where obviously you want to play better, so just bouncing back against Hamburg was good. I thought it was a really well-rounded win for us. A lot of guys on the team played well, and I think moving forward that will be big for us."

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS5Y_21ja20/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@bkbasketbol)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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**You are having a great season. You are scoring, of course, but also passing the ball, collecting steals and helping on the boards. What allowed you to adjust so fast in your first season in Europe?**

"I think one of the things was my teammates and the staff just kind of preparing me for different things that I might see and then I think some of it is just having the skill set that kind of translates to Europe, in a way. I think sometimes different traits and different skills transfer better than others in Europe, and I think I have a skill set that allowed me to make it a little bit easier and kind of adjust to the game, because it is a different game than in the States. I think my teammates and the coaches have really helped me just navigate the defenses and the way offense goes, so I think it's been a collective effort."

**You take a lot of pride on adding new things to your game. You were a great shooter in high school, praised all around for your ability to score the ball, but you were determined to also grab rebounds, get steals and improve on defense. How proud are you for improving on all that over the years?**

"Like you said, you can add things and I think I have always been able to shoot the ball, score the ball, make plays... and as I have gotten older, I just wanted to do more, have more of a focused effort on trying to get to the glass as a guard, at least pick up the long rebounds and then defensively in college, I kind of knew it would be a big deal for me to be better on the defensive end, watching film, watching game and then just having a certain effort level. So I have just tried to continue to have that from college and into being a pro, and I think just some of the steals numbers, it helps show it. So it's definitely something that I pride myself in. As a guard, you are the first line of defense. So if it starts good up there, then it will usually end good, so that's kind of the mindset I keep."

**Asking around, everybody says you talk about hoops all the time, a bit of a basketball junkie. Did you ask a lot of people about European basketball and the EuroCup? Have you made it a habit to watch European basketball while being here?**

"Before I knew I was coming out here, to be honest, I didn't watch a lot of EuroLeague. I would watch some guys that I would be familiar with, like Mike James is from a similar area. He's from Oregon, I'm from Washington, but guys know each other, it's real close over there. And then I would watch some of the ex-NBA guys that played in the EuroLeague, but once I knew I was coming to Europe, I definitely just started watching more. I watched the Final Four last year because I was already signed, so I watched some of the playoffs. I love hoops, I still try to watch as much as I can and I have always been that way. So I definitely have an appreciation for the game."

Malachi Flynn is in his first BKT EuroCup season with Bahcesehir College Istanbul 

2025-26 EuroCup highlights: Malachi Flynn, Bahcesehir

**I also saw that you have an elite basketball camp. Can you tell me a little bit more about it?**

"Yeah, this past year I wasn't able to do it because of the timing with Europe, but the previous two seasons, I had a camp for high school-aged kids, and I wanted to bring in talent from around the area where I'm from, Tacoma, Washington. We have a really good hoop culture and it started from older guys like Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas... you can go on and on the list of guys who have been there and help kids... Brandon Roy... all those guys coach or they are involved with kids. When I was growing up, those are some of the people I looked up to, so once I made it, I kind of wanted to do the same thing, so that was one of the big reasons to have a high school camp and have fun with the kids and connect with them, because you are gone for so long during the season that you don't really know the high school kids. So it's just a way to connect with them, let them know that I am here if they need some more, if they just want to ask a couple questions, so that's kind of one of the main reasons."

**Bryce Jones, Fatts Russell and you are three of the biggest new stars in the EuroCup this season. How great is that you see small guards taking over?**

"I think there are a lot of small guards over here that are able to use their size and their quickness as an advantage, so it's definitely good to see it. Growing up,  I was always a smaller guard, so you always have an appreciation for those guys who can contribute at a high level, at the pro level, or at any level, really. It's been good to see it over here, and just knowing some of those guys and watching them from their college days or whatnot, and then seeing them play over here and see the things that they can do."

<center>
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**Your next game is against Cedevita Olimpija, which is also 8-4. It looks like a critical game to get a top-two finish in your group. Could it be the game of the season for you guys so far?**

"I think up to this point, I would say so. We were definitely aware of the implications that the game could have down the line, and I think it's only six more games, so at this point, every game is important. So I think both teams are going to come in ready to play, and we have to find a way to come out on top, so it will definitely be a battle for us."

**You played against Nemanja Bjelica in the NBA. Fast forward to the present, he is Bahcesehir's sports director. For instance, Bjelica and Kenan Sipahi were teammates with Fenerbahce and made it to the 2015 Final Four together. How amazing is that?**

"It's crazy, it's funny how life works! I remember playing against him. I think it was in Toronto and he played for Golden State. Even before that, just kind of watching him in the NBA with the Warriors and with different other teams, and now to the point where he was trying to get me to come play for his team, I just think it's kind of funny the way life works. Everything comes full circle and he has definitely helped me. And I think he has been good for the team."

'Kenny [Sipahi] knows everything! If you need something, you just got to go to Kenny'

**Playing for Bahcesehir comes with the privilege of living in Istanbul, one of the most outstanding cities in the world. How has the experience been so far for someone coming all the way from the United States? Are your teammates helping you to find restaurants and places to see?**

"At first, just being overseas, I think any country would have been different, so obviously it was a little different, but I have been adjusting pretty well. I am enjoying the city. It's a big city, there are a lot of people and there are a lot of things to do. And my teammates have definitely helped me. Tyler \[Cavanaugh\] has been here, so he was kind of familiar with some stuff, Caleb \[Homesley\] also played in Turkiye two years ago, so he was kind of familiar with some things, and then just talking to the Turkish teammates. They will give their insight to the city, and then just going out and figure it out by yourself. I have had some family come out here and visit me and we have been able to do different things So I am definitely enjoying the city. There is a lot to see, and it has been great. It's been good so far. Kenny \[Sipahi\] knows everything! If you need something, you just got to go to Kenny. I was joking with him earlier. He knows everything that goes on in this city."

**People say you love music. You like to play it and do it really loud. Do you have a music routine before the games? What are you listening to lately?**

"Before the games, I like to play music just to get you in that mode. When I came to Europe, it was a little bit of a shock for me. Nobody really listens to music in practice or the weight rooms. That was kind of normal growing up in America, so that's one thing that I could say that I have tried to bring over here a little bit and just kind of lighten up the mood a little bit. Sometimes when the music's going, people just feel good and just try to get the vibe going a little bit, so that's something I have tried to do. These days, I listen to a little bit of everything. I like rap, R&B, different artists... My favorite artist is J Cole, but you know, I go through all of them. I listen to Future, J Cole, Lil Baby... I will try to mix in everybody, and then even the Turkish guys sent me some Turkish music that I will throw in the playlist when we are in the weight room or after a game, so I try to mix it up."

**Bahcesehir is 8-4 with six games left to play in this round, then it's playoffs. What will be important from now on to be successful at the end of the season?**

"I think just being the team that we know we can be. At times, we have let it slip and just kind of not played to what we know we can do, regardless of who we are playing against. I think when we are locked in and are sharing the ball and are together defensively, I think we are a hard team to beat, and maybe 2-3 games out of the year, we have kind of lost that. So I think really just focusing on us, and just continuing to get better. We all have one goal in mind, and just to remember that every time we step on the court and don't take any games for granted."

More Bahcesehir News

Bahcesehir’s star guard talks about adapting to European basketball, pride in his all-around game, and the team’s push for a top-two finish in Group A

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 13 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season.

Round 13: Pregame quotes and injury reports

## Tuesday, January 6

### Besiktas GAIN Istanbul vs. ratiopharm ulm (18:00 CET)

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### BAXI Manresa vs. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson (19:00 CET)

**Igor Milicic, Aris head coach**

"We have a crucial game ahead, against a very good team. We left the bad performance against Cedevita behind, we showed an improvement against Olympiacos and we want to keep on the right track tomorrow, despite the fact that we miss some key players. Manresa has quality and a deep roster and we have to give our best and be consistent, to get the result we want."

**Stelios Poulianitis, Aris guard**

"Reaching the final part of the regular season in BKT EuroCup, every game is very important. We are facing Manresa, that is in the same place as us in the standings and this proves the importance of tomorrow’s battle. We have to be focused, determined and to follow our coaches’ plan. It’s crucial to control the rhythm of the game and the rebounds as well."

### Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Bahcesehir College Istanbul (19:00 CET)

**Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija head coach**

"For some time now we have been playing with a shortened rotation, and we are facing a team whose budget is at the EuroLeague level, not the EuroCup level. Along with Besiktas and Hapoel, Bahcesehir is one of the three teams that truly stand out in the EuroCup. Compared to our first head-to-head game this season, our opponents have strengthened their roster even further. We will try to relieve the players of the pressure of the game. Both teams will have one day to prepare for the match. We are welcoming an opponent that is imposing, not only at our level but also at a higher one. Bahçeşehir are playing excellently, as evidenced by their most recent win in the Turkish domestic league, where they recorded a victory by a 40-point margin. Our opponent has a lot of offensive potential, which they have further reinforced. We can expect an attractive game, and anyone who misses it may regret it. I hope the fans join us in as large numbers as possible—not only because of the game itself, but also because of the support from the stands that we need and that we also deserve with our performances."

**DJ Stewart, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"A very important game is ahead of us. We are focused on securing the win we need. That way we can move up to second place in the standings, which we strongly desire. I hope there will be as many fans as possible in Stožice to fill the arena and help us get the win."

**Umoja Gibson, Cedevita Olimpija guard**

"I am very motivated ahead of the game against Bahcesehir. It is a very high-quality team with a lot of weapons at all playing positions. We need to stay true to ourselves and continue playing the way we have been throughout the entire season. If we maintain that rhythm, we can hope for a good performance."

## Wednesday, January 7

### Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento (17:00 CET)

**Fabio Bongi, Trento assistant coach**

"We are facing Ankara, a team with one of the highest levels of physicality, technique and talent in the EuroCup, and one that will most likely be a contender until the very end of the competition. We know their strength very well, also considering the first-leg game in which we were defeated: that is exactly where we want to restart from, learning from that experience, correcting our mistakes and continuing our growth process. We are working to find greater consistency over the full 40 minutes, which is a key aspect at this level. Ankara can rely on top-level players such as Allman, Smith and Simonovic, as well as two extremely athletic and physical big men like Bankston and Alexander. It will be a very demanding challenge, one that must be approached with great focus and attention: we cannot afford to start at a disadvantage in such a hot arena and against a team of this caliber if we want to give ourselves the best chance to compete until the end."

**Andrej Jakimovski, Trento forward**

"On Wednesday we will face Ankara, and in the first leg we struggled a lot against their physicality, so we will need to be ready and bring a lot of energy from the start. Our main focus has to be on defense, and we must sustain it for all 40 minutes, because Ankara plays at a very high level, especially at home. We know that in the game we played at the home we lost by a large margin, but we are a different team now and that should give us confidence. The comeback win against Trieste gave us a big boost in confidence, and we believe we can perform well in Turkey as well, in a game that is very important for the EuroCup playoff race."

### Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (18:00 CET)

**Frederic Fauthoux, Bourg head coach**

"We expect a tough game. Lietkabelis is an experienced team, unpredictable at times, with a wide range of play and a solid frontcourt. With a tight schedule and little time to recover, we'll need to be at our best, stay focused, and play quickly to have a good result."

**Both Gach, Bourg forward**

"Tomorrow's game will be an intense and physical game, they will be looking to get a win at home and we have to come out with a lot of energy and focus from the start and play our brand of basketball."

### Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:30 CET)

**Nenad Markovic, Panionios head coach**

"For sure it’s a hard game for us at this moment. Buducnost is a very physical team, very aggressive. We need to match their aggressiveness and physicality and see if we can make a better job protecting our rim and our rebounding. It’s a tough challenge, we will face the team which is second in our group and probably one of the favorite to win the BKT Eurocup. We need to be focus on ourselves, show improvement and continue to fight. We had few practices together and this game can help us for the next game of the Greek League."

**Alexandros Nikolaidis, Panionios guard**

"It’s the first game of the new year, we have a new coach and a new player on the roster, and what we want is to play well, get the win, and give joy to our fans, hoping that 2026 will be much better for all of us."

**Andrej Zakelj, Buducnost head coach**

"Panionios are still trying to find the right formula for this season. They have changed the head coach again, added new players, and we expect a certain reaction from their side. A tough game is ahead of us — in the previous round against Bourg, they played at a very high level and nearly surprised them on the road. We have to be fully focused and approach the game in the right way. We had time to train and recover. There are some injury issues, but we must continue in the rhythm in which we finished last year. The key will be to exploit their weaknesses while neutralizing their strengths as much as possible."

**Andrija Slavkovic, Buducnost forward**

"A tough road game in Greece awaits us. We are facing a respectable team that has changed its head coach, and I believe there will be a certain reaction from their side. We have already started preparing for this game, and I have no doubt that we will be fully ready. I expect a demanding matchup. I don’t think their current position in the standings truly reflects their quality, as they are a solid team that plays at a high pace, runs the floor well, and has a large number of guards. Because of that, a very challenging task is ahead of us."

### Slask Wroclaw vs. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem (19:00 CET)

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### Veolia Towers Hamburg vs. Neptunas Kleipeda (19:45 CET)

**Benka Barloschky, Hamburg head coach**

"The fact that we still have six more games to play in international competition despite being fully focused on the battle to stay in the league and having already been eliminated from the EuroCup group stage has, as is so often the case, advantages and disadvantages. Basically, it's a conscious decision to compete in the EuroCup. So we're focusing on the advantages. Playing against the best is what everyone here has always dreamed of. I would find it inconsistent to complain about it now. So we won't be resting any players because of the competition or the standings – only when it's necessary. With Osaro, Zsombor, and Niklas out, we are currently missing too many important players in training."

**Devon Daniels, Hamburg guard**

"I see no reason why we should let ourselves down. I am grateful for every opportunity to improve. We have to fight for every possession on Wednesday. I think we have definitely seen progress in recent weeks. And we want to build on that. Every week in training, we work on the areas that still need improvement, as revealed by our games. We're on the right track and we'll continue on it together."

### Umana Reyer Venice vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca (20:00 CET)

*Reyer's Jordan Parks and Ky Bowman are ruled out for this game.*

**Neven Spahija, Reyer head coach**

We are looking ahead to the EuroCup challenge; the past is behind us now. We will face this game with a shorter rotation as well, but we want to continue on our path and maintain continuity in our work. Against a strong team like Cluj-Napoca, we need to play an excellent defensive game. We are working with the entire staff to prepare for the match in the best way possible: we have experience in situations like this and we know that physical and mental recovery is the most important aspect. Cluj is a team that plays at a high pace with many possessions: they are ranked first in pace, points, and assists. They produce a lot on offense, perhaps conceding a bit more on defense. It’s not the first team with these characteristics that we have faced."

**Kyle Wiltjer, Reyer forward**

"The EuroCup is a fast-paced tournament that never stops: we are back on the court against Cluj-Napoca less than 48 hours after the game against Treviso. We have to be smart about managing these hours with the utmost attention. The staff, as always, prepares and assists us to put us in the best possible conditions: I have a lot of respect for our working group. It’s not just about resting to recover energy, but also studying our opponents and working with the athletic trainers, physiotherapists, and all members of our organization, which I am happy to be a part of. Now it’s up to us players: we must be ready, turn the page immediately after the derby, and give everything we have to bring home the win."

**Mihai Silvasan, Cluj head coach**

"We are facing a difficult trip, against an extremely physical team, a team that scores a lot of points in offensive transition, being first in the competition in this regard. The many points scored on transition come after precise defense, because they have many fast breaks that turn into scored baskets following aggressive defense. It is a very important game for the final standings of this group. In fact, all games are extremely important from now on. We are going there with a lot of optimism, and we really want to win. We come after some good performances, but this certainly does not guarantee us victory. We will have to be extremely focused and have the right mentality in order to succeed in winning."

**Patrick Richard, Cluj guard**

"Obviously, this is our first away game after six home games, so we are definitely excited. We have another important EuroCup game coming up, and if we manage to secure the victory, we will put ourselves in a very good position for qualifying for the playoffs, among the top four teams. We take things step by step and hope to go out on the court and win. I hope the fans continue to support us. Now, as we play away, we need their support more than ever."

### London Lions vs. NINERS Chemnitz (20:30 CET)

**Tautvydas Sabonis, London Lions head coach**

"They are very aggressive offensively. They run in transition, they push the ball, they’re a threat defensively, they the put a lot of pressure. We’ve got to be mental tough, very strong physically and do what we are supposed to do defensively."

**Tarik Phillip, London Lions guard**

"It’s a very important game. We all know what’s at stake, we win this, we have the aggregate over Chemnitz, it’s a must win for us."

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Round 13 of the 2025-26 EuroCup season