Hapoel Tel Aviv and Veolia Hamburg Towers each added a trophy to their collections with victories in preseason tournaments on Sunday. Hapoel defeated Dinamo Sassari 92-89 in the Citta di Eleonora final in Italy. J'Covan Brown was named tournament MVP after netting 16 points in the final. Adam Ariel also scored 16 after making 4 of 5 shots from downtown. Gil Benny added 14 points, Jalen Hoard posted 11 points and 7 rebounds and Xavier Munford dished 9 assists for the winners. Elmantas Bendzius scored 26 for Sassari. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">❤️🤍 <a href="https://t.co/DAEccgvfnT">https://t.co/DAEccgvfnT</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1566668447265726464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hamburg bested Niners Chemnitz 99-93 in the Jakob Cup final. Kendale McCullum scored 32 points and was named MVP of the final. Arnas Velicka led Chemnitz with 25 points. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Wir gewinnen im Finale gegen die <a href="https://twitter.com/ninerschemnitz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ninerschemnitz</a> mit 99:93 und nehmen somit den Pokal des <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ExpertJakobCups?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ExpertJakobCups</a> mit nach Hamburg! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopTower?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TopTower</a> mit 32 Pkt. ist Finalspiel-MVP @kendalemccullum10. <br><br>Vielen Dank an <a href="https://twitter.com/medibayreuth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@medibayreuth</a> für die Organisation! Bis bald! 🏀🙏🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeoliaTowersHamburg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeoliaTowersHamburg</a> <a href="https://t.co/NSypsZMfp1">pic.twitter.com/NSypsZMfp1</a></p>&mdash; Veolia Towers Hamburg (@hamburgtowers) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamburgtowers/status/1566474582403567617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Germani Brescia wrapped up its training camp with a 77-59 victory over the Kapfenberg Bulls of the Austrian League. Michael Cobbins led the Brescia attack with 13 points, Kenneth Viglianisi and Roberts Stumbris added 12 points each and Nicola Akele had 10.  FC Bayern Munich rallied from an 18-point third-quarter deficit to beat 7DAYS EuroCup side Dolomiti Energia Trento 66-62. Cassius Winston scored 19 points and dished 4 assists and his backcourt mate Corey Walden added 9 for the winners. For Trento, Trent Lockett scored 15 and teenager Matteo Spagnolo netted 13. 

### Sunday's games

**Germani Brescia 77-59 Kapfenberg Bulls**, Friendly game, Pisogne - BS, Italy

**Dolomiti Energia Trento 62-66 FC Bayern Munich**, Friendly game, Brunico, Italy

**JL Bourg 85-96 Chorale Roanne**, Final Mincidelice Cup 2022, Bourg en Bresse, France

**London Lions 83-74 Antwerp Giants**, Third-place game, Mincidelice Cup 2022, Bourg en Bresse, France

**Hapoel Tel Aviv 92-89 Dinamo Sassari**, Citta di Eleonora final, Sassari, Italy

**FMP 85-75 U-BT Cluj-Napoca**, Friendly game, Serbia

**Veolia Hamburg Towers 99-93 Niners Chemnitz**, Expert Jakob Cup final, Bayreuth, Germany

Check out the preseason results of 7DAYS EuroCup teams from Sunday, September 4

Preseason: Hapoel, Hamburg win tournaments

### Group A: Montenegro, Belgium and Georgia triumph

Montenegro won Sunday's early game 81-91 over Bulgaria to improve to 2-1. Vladimir Mihailovic scored 23 points and dished 5 assists and Valencia Basket star Bojan Dubljevic tallied 17 points and 9 boards for the winners. Bulgaria led 46-45 at the break and 75-73 early in the fourth quarter, but Nemanja Radovic scored twice in a 3-10 run that Dubljevic capped with a three-point play and Montenegro was too strong down the stretch. Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus led Bulgaria in defeat with 26 points and 8 rebounds. The loss dropped Bulgaria to 0-3.

Belgium stunned Spain 73-83 to improve to 2-1. There were three lead changes in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, but Belgium finished the game on a 0-12 tear over the final 3 minutes to wrest the game away. It was Belgium's first victory over Spain at the event in 61 years. Emmanuel Lecomte scored 20 points to lead the winners and Virtus Segafredo Bologna big man Ismael Bako posted 10 points and 9 rebounds. Willy Hernangomez was Spain's top scorer with 18 points and Maccabi PLaytika Tel Aviv guard Lorenzo Brown added 11 points and 8 assists. The loss dropped Spain to 2-1.

Georgia outlasted Turkey 83-88 after two overtimes for its first win of the tournament. The result also sent Turkey to its first loss. Sandro Mamukelashvili, whose basket with 2 seconds left in regulation tied the game and forced the first overtime, led Georgia with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Thad McFadden added 17 points and 6 assists for the winners. Alperen Sengun posted 21 points and 9 rebounds, FC Barcelona big man Sertac Sanli had 15 and 9 and All-EuroLeague guard Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul had 9 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in defeat.

### Group B: Germany tops Lithuania in 2 OTs; Bosnia and France win

Germany became the first team to win three games at the tournament after surviving a double-overtime thriller to defeat Lithuania 107-109. Franz Wagner scored 32 points to lead Germany, Dennis Schroder tallied 25 points and 8 assists and ALBA Berlin playmaker Maodo Lo scored 21, including a pair of key threes in the second overtime. Jonas Valanciunas posted 34 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for Lithuania, Marius Grigonis of Panathinaikos BC Athens added 17 points and Ignas Brazdeikis of Zalgiris Kaunas scored 12. Arnas Butkevicius, also of Zalgiris, had the final shot to win it for Lithuania, but missed from downtown at the buzzer. The win combined with France's victory over Hungary later in the day sent Germany into the Round of 16.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🧊 𝗟𝗢. 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗗 🧊<br>Maodo’s clutch plays down the stretch guide Germany W at home! 💯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/oav1LzJNWu">pic.twitter.com/oav1LzJNWu</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1566445409408622593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Slovenia for the first time ever, 93-97, and in doing so handed the reigning EuroBasket champs their first loss in the competition since 2015. John Roberson drilled 7 threes en route to 23 points and Dzanan Musa of Real Madrid tallied 22 points and 5 assists to lead the winners. Edin Atic of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica added 12 for Bosnia. Vlatko Cancar paced Slovenia with 22 points, Luka Doncic went for 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Klemen Prepelic of Valencia Basket chipped in 12. 

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Magic Luka? Magic Musa 🇧🇦🐉<a href="https://twitter.com/DzMusa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DzMusa</a> with 22 PTS 5 REB 5 AST as Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina hand Slovenia first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> loss since 2015!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/IxJpqDJq6n">pic.twitter.com/IxJpqDJq6n</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1566496039590313985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

France survived a late Hungary charge to win 78-74 in Sunday's final game. Real Madrid forward Guerschon Yabusele scored 17 points to lead the French and Rudy Gobert posted 15 points and 9 rebounds. Real swingman Adam Hanga paced Hungary with 18 points. Hungary, which trailed by as many as 15 points, twice came within 2 points in the final minute, but could not complete the comeback. 

Four teams are knocking on the door of the Round of 16 in Sunday's games. 

EuroBasket: Germany is first into Round of 16

Dolomiti Energia Trento announced on Sunday that [Max Ladurner](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maximilian-ladurner/008446/) is expected to miss the start of the season due to a back injury. The 20-year-old center has been diagnosed with a fractured vertebra in his spine. Ladurner will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks and Trento opens ints EuroCup season on October 12 against Promitheas Patras. This season will be Ladurner's fourth in the EuroCup. Last season he averaged 2.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 12:43 minutes per game. 

Trento center Ladurner to miss start of season

Umana Reyer Venice aced its first trophy of the preseason by downing Trieste 99-81 in the final of the Torneo di Udine on Saturday. Reyer rocked from the start, leading 25-16 after the first quarter and 53-45 at halftime before pouring it on in the last 20 minutes. Jeff Brooks led the charge for Reyer with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Tourney MVP Michael Bramos and Mitchell Watt each added 19 points.

 Preseason results: Reyer grabs tourney win 

Umana Reyer Venice aced its first trophy of the preseason by downing Trieste 99-81 in the final of the Torneo di Udine on Saturday. Reyer rocked from the start, leading 25-16 after the first quarter and 53-45 at halftime before pouring it on in the last 20 minutes. Jeff Brooks led the charge for Reyer with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Tourney MVP Michael Bramos and Mitchell Watt each added 19 points.

7DAYS EuroCup newcomer Hapoel Tel Aviv advanced to the final of the Citta di Eleonora tournament in Sassari, Italy, with a thrilling 95-96 overtime win against Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side AS Monaco. Xavier Munford's fourth three-pointer of the game, which fell with 12 seconds left in OT, were the final points. Monaco had led by 42-36 at halftime, but Hapoel got closer and closer to tie 87-87 after regulation time. Munford paced the winners with 26 points in 36 minutes on the floor. J'Covan Brown added 25 points and JP Tokoto 16 for Hapoel. For Monaco, Mike James led six players in double figures with 22 points. Hapoel will play the tourney final on Sunday against host Sassari, which broke the heart of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, avoiding an all-EuroCup tourney final, with a 98-97 overtime victory.

Elsewhere, Slask Wroclaw started its preseason on the right foot with a 77-68 win over BC Brno of Czech Republic. Jakub Niziol posted a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way, while Artsiom Parahouski added 12 points. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse reached the final of its own tournament by downing Limoges CSP 92-71.

### SEPTEMBER

3 **Joventut Badalona 71-78 Basquet Girona**, Friendly game, Olot, Spain

3 **Umana Reyer Venice 99-81 Trieste**, Torneo di Udine, Udine, Italy

3 **Strasbourg 68-86 London Lions**, Mincidelice Cup 2022, Bourg en Bresse, France

3 **JL Bourg vs. CSP Limoges**, Mincidelice Cup 2022, Bourg en Bresse, France

3 **AS Monaco 95-96 (OT) Hapoel Tel Aviv**, Citta di Eleonora, Sassari, Italy

3 **Sassari 98-97 (OT) Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana**, Citta di Eleonora, Sassari, Italy

3 **MediBayreuth 86-91 Veolia Towers Hamburg**, Jakob Cup, Bayreuth, Germany

Check out the preseason results of 7DAYS EuroCup teams from Saturday, September 3.

 Preseason results: Reyer grabs tourney win

### Group A: Spain, Turkey remain unbeaten

Turkey broke open a close game late to eventually defeat Bulgaria 87-101 in Tbilisi, Georgia, and stay perfect after two games. Thanks to a stellar Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus, Bulgaria was within 73-77 with less than 9 minutes to play before Turkey (2-0) pulled away steadily to the victory. Back-to-back EuroLeague champion Shane Larkin combined 13 points with 9 assists for the winners, who got 25 points from Cedi Osman and 20 from Alperen Sengun. Sehmus Hazer and Melih Mahmutoglu of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul added 10 and 9 points, respectively. Vezenkov finished with a monster double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds while Dee Bost had 12 points and 13 assists for Bulgaria (0-2).

Two dominant middle quarters pushed Spain to a 2-0 record on Saturday, too, thanks to a 64-90 win over Georgia. The Spaniards won the game's first and fourth quarters by just 2 points each, but exploded for a 31-53 difference in the second and third to waltz to victory. Willy Hernangomez led the charge with 14 points while Jaime Pradilla of Valencia Basket came off the bench for 12 points. Seven other players scored between 7 and 9 points for Spain, including Pradilla's Valencia teammate, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Rudy Fernandez of Real Madrid and Joel Parra of Joventut Badalona.

Earlier, Montenegro notched its first Group A victory by turning back Belgium by 76-70 behind a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds from Valencia Basket center Bojan Dubljevic. Montenegro (1-1) used a 7-0 run starting late in the first quarter to take control at 15-8 and lead for the rest of the game, including by a high of 70-50 early in the final quarter. Kendrick Perry added 19 points and Vladimir Mihailovic 14 for the winners while new LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne guard Retin Obasohan poured in 25 for Belgium (1-1).

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Black Mountain. 🇲🇪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/wrpoEKJkKe">pic.twitter.com/wrpoEKJkKe</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1566052991018336263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

### Group B: Germany, Slovenia share top spot

It was a tale of two halves as Germany became the first 2-0 team in Group B by downing Bosnia and Herzegovina 92-82 before a delighted home crowd in Cologne. A three-pointer and a dunk by Johannes Voigtmann, signed on Friday by EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, sparked a 12-0 run to open the second half and send Germany clear to the win. Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner paced the winners with 18 points each. Johannes Theimann of ALBA Berlin added 14 and Andreas Obst of FC Bayern Munich 13 while Voigtmann scored 10. Real Madrid newcomer Dzanan Musa shot 13 for 17 from the field to lead Bosnia (1-1) with 30 points while Jusuf Nurkic added 21.

In a pitched battle for a first win by either, France used defense to break a late tie and defeat Lithuania 73-77. France (1-1) used 4 steals within 58 seconds to turn a 64-64 scoreboard into a 64-71 advantage with 2 minutes left that held up til the finish. Lithuania (2-0) had led by as many as 13 points in the first half and trailed only briefly until then. Evan Fournier led France with 27 points while Guerschon Yabusele of Real Madrid followed with 9. Jonas Valanciunas led Lithuania with 15 points while Rokas Jokubaitis of FC Barcelona added 14.

Defending champion Slovenia took off early and never looked back for a 88-103 win over Hungary that left it tied at 2-0 with Germany for top spot in the group. Luka Doncic, the former EuroLeague MVP, had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in less than 20 minutes to lead the effort. Klemen Prepelic of Valencia followed with 14 points while Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana teammates Zoran Dragic and Edo Muric scored 11 each.

### Group C: Greece, Ukraine reach 2-0

Ukraine won its second game in as many days in spectacular fashion, stunning Estonia 73-74 to sit atop the group in Milan, Italy. Illya Sidorov of 7DAYS EuroCup newcomer Prometey Slobozhanske gave Ukraine its only lead of the game – but the only one that counted – with a heads-up put-back of a blocked shot with 55 seconds left that stood as the final points of the night. Sidorov combined with his Prometey teammates Issuf Sanon and Ivan Tkachenko for 31 points while Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk led Ukraine (2-0) with 18 points. Maik Kotsar of Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz paced Estonia (0-2), which had managed to stay ahead or tied for all but the final minute of a tight game, with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Greece joined Ukraine as group leaders by staying one step ahead of host Italy all night for an 85-81 win and a 2-0 record. The Greek lead peaked at 15 points, 71-56, late in the third quarter, but Italy had a chance to tie in the closing until its pair of three-point tries missed. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece's charge with 25 points and 11 rebounds while Tyler Dorsey poured in 23 more points. Simone Fontecchio was Italy's top scorer with 26 points, while Achille Polonara of Efes added 14 and Stefano Tonut of Milan 13.

Croatia made sure to join the Group C win column with a resounding 65-86 win over Great Britain. Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid registered a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The trio of Dario Saric, Bojan Bogdanovic and Ivica Zubic scored 15 points each for Croatia (1-1). The game was as close as 31-37 at halftime, but a 9-35 third-quarter difference decided it for the Croats, who never trailed on the scoreboard. Miles Hesson led Great Britain (0-2) with 18 points.

### Group D: Serbia, Israel stay perfect

Serbia improved to 2-0 atop Group D by controlling Czech Republic 68-81 in Prague. Serbia took over with a 2-12 first-quarter run and was never threatened again, holding double-digit leads for most of the remaining time. Nikola Jokic paced the victory with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Vasilije Micic, the back-to-back EuroLeague Final Four MVP from Efes, followed with 13 points and 6 assists. Baskonia's Vanja Marinkovic scored 11 points and Nikola Kalinic of FC Barcelona 10. Vojtech Hruban of London Lions joined Vit Krejci in scoring 13 points each for Czech Republic (0-2).

Israel remained unbeaten to share the Group D lead by turning back Netherlands 67-74. Down 62-61 with less than 3 minutes left, Israel went on a 2-9 run sparked by Deni Avdija to seal the victory. Avdija led all scorers with 21 points while Yam Madar of Partizan NIS Belgrade scored 14 and Roman Sorkin of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv added 10 and a team-high 6 rebounds.

Finland raced away from Poland for a handy 89-59 victory, its first in Group D, early on Saturday. A 26-16 first-quarter edge just kept expanding until the game-high 30-point final margin. Sasu Salin drilled 6 three-pointers for a team-high 18 points and Lauri Markkanen added 17 for Finland (1-1), whose defense held Poland (1-1) to 31.4% field goal shooting.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗡️ Madar with the 𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 from the logo 🗡️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/59TsiTrUOh">pic.twitter.com/59TsiTrUOh</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1566168534001938432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

For the first time at EuroBasket 2022, all 24 teams were in action on Saturday.

EuroBasket: Eight perfect teams share group leads after busy third day

Alihan Demir joins Turk Telekom

Turk Telekom Anakara continued rebuilding its roster for the new season by announcing power forward Alihan Demir. Demir (2.06 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Rayos Hermosillo of the Mexican League, where last season he averaged 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 35 games. Demir is set to make his 7DAYS EuroCup debut this season.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Alihan Demir Türk Telekom&#39;da! ✍️👏<br><br>Geçtiğimiz sezonu Rayos de Hermosillo takımında tamamlayan Alihan Demir&#39;i renklerimize bağladık. Ailemize hoş geldin <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlihanDemir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlihanDemir</a>!🔥 <a href="https://t.co/VJIy7XxyEq">pic.twitter.com/VJIy7XxyEq</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom Basketbol (@TT_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol/status/1565995799229652996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Demir played college ball from 2017 to 2020 in Drexel and Minnesota, and he went back to his native Turkey to join Tofas Bursa. He started the 2021-22 season in Bulgaria with Balkan Botevgrad and then in January of 2022 he moved back to Turkey with Besiktas to then cross the pond to Mexico.

Heading into the 2022-23 7DAYS EuroCup, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica will be looking to build on last year's eighthfinals finish in the competition. The team came up short against eventual semifinalist MoraBanc Andorra, but the arrival of a new head coach, Vlada Jovanovic, and some noteworthy additions to the roster could set it up for a deep run in the elimination rounds. Playing in Group B in this year's EuroCup Regular Season, Buducnost will be expecting to match – or better – its fifth-place finish in the group from one year ago.

### BACKCOURT

Buducnost enters the new campaign with two new options in its backcourt, and both of whom will be expecting to have big roles under Coach Jovanovic. The first of these two players is point guard Trae Bell-Haynes, who has signed for Buducnost from Breogan of Spain and previously played in the EuroCup for Fraport Skyliners in the 2018-19 campaign. Last season, the Canadian international averaged 12.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists for Breogan in the Spanish League. Joining Bell-Haynes is EuroCup rookie Phil Booth, a shooting guard who has arrived at Buducnost from Oostende of Belgium. He impressed in the Basketball Champions League during the 2021-22 campaign, as he put up an average of 13.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Together, Buducnost fans will be hoping these two guards can help the team achieve a lot of success in the coming season. Competing with Bell-Haynes and Booth for game time will be Petar Popovic. The 25-year-old started four of his 16 appearances for Buducnost in the EuroCup last year and managed to have his most productive scoring year to date, averaging 8.3 points per game. The other guard looking to find his way onto the court is Igor Drobnjak, yet it is expected that he will once again be a bit-part player for Buducnost. He came off the bench six times last year and played an average of 8:12 minutes, but he will have to improve his scoring output – two points per game – if he is to have a realistic chance at displacing any of the three aforementioned players in Coach Jovanovic's plans.

Petar Popovic Top Plays of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 EuroCup highlights: Petar Popovic, Buducnost

### FRONTCOURT

 

One signing that has generated a lot of excitement among Buducnost's fanbase is Cameron Reynolds. The small forward spent last season with Dolomiti Energia Trento of Italy, where he averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 15 7DAYS EuroCup games. It is expected that Reynolds will be one of Buducnost's star performers in the 2022-23 season. Another new addition who arrives with plenty of expectation is center Alpha Kaba, last season's Turkish League MVP. Playing for Gaziantep, he averaged 13.6 points, a league-best 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.6 blocks in 31 games. Kaba returns to the EuroCup after last playing in the competition with Nanterre 92 in the 2020-21 campaign. Meanwhile, swingman Edin Atic is looking to improve on what was a decent first year with Buducnost. The 25-year-old played a total of 16 games for the team in the EuroCup last season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.0 minutes on the court. Then, rounding out the options among the forwards are veteran team captain Suad Sehovic, fellow veteran Marko Jagodic-Kuridza, returning loanee Aleksa Ilic and Aleksandar Lazic, who joined Buducnost in the off-season from Mornar Bar of Montenegro. At center, backing up Kaba will be the 22-year-old Kenan Kamenjas. He spent last year with SC Derby Podgorica, where he averaged 14.3 points and a competition-best 8.4 rebounds in 26 Adriatic League games.

Cameron Reynolds Top 2 Pts, 3 Pts of the 2021-22 Regular Season

2021-22 season highlights: Cameron Reynolds, Dolomiti Energia Trento

### PLAYER TO WATCH

 

After shining so brightly in Turkey with Gaziantep last season, it will be fascinating to see how Alpha Kaba gets on upon his return to the EuroCup. To date, he has played a total of three seasons in the EuroCup. The first two came with LCLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns, while the third was with Nanterre 92 in 2020-21. In each of those three seasons, Kaba increased his scoring and rebounding averages, so he will hope he can continue that trajectory when the action gets underway in mid-October. If everything goes to plan for Kaba in a Buducnost jersey this season, the team is going to benefit from having one of the best big men in the competition.

### OUTLOOK

 

Buducnost managed to secure the fifth seed from Group B heading into the EuroCup Playoffs last year, yet it failed to get past the first elimination round. This season, with head coach Vlada Jovanovic, who guided Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar to a 10-4 record in the 2018-19 season before falling at the quarterfinal stage, and a series of new players, there is a lot of hope that the team can make some noise in the postseason. The supporters at Moraca Sports Center are known for the way in which they help spur Buducnost on, and the team will be eager to repay them with good performances and results on the court.

Roster rundown: Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

### Group A: Spain rolls, Turkey holds on, Belgium wins in OT

Spain made a statement in the opening game of EuroBasket 2022 with a 114-87 rout of Bulgaria in Tbilisi, Georgio. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv point guard Lorenzo Brown led six Spanish scorers in double figures with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Emil Stoilov scored the first basket of the tournament with a tip-in for Bulgaria, but a 12-0 run led by Willy Hernandez gave Spain the lead for good. It was 28-17 after 10 minutes, 57-35 at halftime and Spain cruised the rest of the way. Will Hernandez finished with 16 points for the winners and Real Madrid's Rudy Fernandez added 14. All-EuroLeague forward Sasha Vezenkov paced Bulgaria with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Still deadly beyond the arc 🦾<br><br>Rudy Fernandez cashes in 4 threes for Spain&#39;s big opener! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/GbxPeJH2LI">pic.twitter.com/GbxPeJH2LI</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1565326150343221248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Turkey held off Montenegro 72-68 in a thriller that came down to the final seconds. All-EuroLeague guard Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul made 5 of 6 three-pointers to lead Turkey with 18 points and 7 assists. After Furkan Korkmaz put Turkey up 1 with 24 seconds remaining, Montenegro had the ball with a chance to win it. Vladimir Mihailovic missed a jumper and Marko Simonovic was called for an offensive foul after he grabbed the rebound. Korkmaz buried a three from midcourt at the buzzer to settle the final score. Cedi Osman added 15 points for Turkey. Valencia Basket big man Bojan Dublejevic led Montenegro with 18 points and 6 boards.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brought the golden boots 🔱<br><br>Shane Larkin led Turkey 🇹🇷 with big shooting night.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <a href="https://t.co/sa8UZtMppN">pic.twitter.com/sa8UZtMppN</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1565375966846881792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jonathan Tabu buried a three-pointer with 3 seconds left in overtime to lift Belgium to a heart-pounding 79-76 victory over Georgia. The hosts erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to tie it at 70-70 to force overtime and when Alexander Mamukelashvili's free throws made it 76-76 with 11 seconds left in the extra session, it appeared a second OT was in the cards.  However, Tabu pulled up for the game-winner and Duda Sanadze missed a chance to tie it at the buzzer. Tabu and Jean-Marc Mwema were Belgium's joint scoring leaders with 14 points apiece. Mamukelashvili led Georgia with 18 points and 13 rebounds. 

### Group B: Bosnia, Slovenia win tough games; Germany dominates at home

Bosnia and Herzegovina won the Group B opener 95-85 over Hungary. Dzanan Musa of Real Madrid and Jusuf Nurkic scored 19 points apiece for Bosnia. Hungary led 45-46 at halftime before Musa scored twice in a 10-0 third-quarter run as Bosnia pulled away for good. The margin was 73-63 after three quarters. Adam Hanga, also of Real Madrid, rallied Hungary to within 78-76, but Musa and Nurkic helped Bosnia close out the game in style. Szilard Benke paced Hungary with 20 points and Hanga posted 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Slovenia took charge late to defeat Lithuania 92-85 behind a big game from FC Barcelona's Mike Tobey. The big man played a mighty role for the winners with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in the fourth quarter alone! Tobey finished with a game-high 24 points plus 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. Goran Dragic added 19 points and former EuroLeague MVP Luka Donic tallied 14 points and 10 assists for the winners. Lithuania led by 5 with 6 minutes to go before Slovenia went on a 15-3 tear and held on the rest of the way. Mindaugas Kuzminskas scored 19 and Marius Grigonis of Panathinaikos BC Athens 18 to lead Lithuania.

In front of a packed house on the night when Dirk Nowitzki's German national team No. 14 jersey was raised to the rafters, the home team blasted France 63-76. Germany outscored its opponent in each of the first three quarters with ALBA Berlin big man Johannes Thiemann shining with 7 in the third to extend the margin to 43-57. France never got closer than 9 the rest of the way. Thiemann finished with 14 points to lead the German attack and his ALBA teammate Maodo Lo tallied 13 points and 5 assists. Real Madrid forward Guerschon Yabusele led all scorers with 18 points for France. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ARE YOU KIDDING ME, MAODO LO??? 😱<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroBasket</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringTheNoise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BringTheNoise</a> <br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/XA74Vl1szW">https://t.co/XA74Vl1szW</a> <a href="https://t.co/x3hsAFmInl">pic.twitter.com/x3hsAFmInl</a></p>&mdash; #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroBasket/status/1565440058475155458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here's a rundown of the day one action at EuroBasket 2022. 

EuroBasket: EuroLeague stars shine on opening day

Promitheas Patras is back for its third consecutive 7DAYS EuroCup season with half of the squad from last season returning. Head coach [Makis Giatras](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/patras-extends-giatras-as-head-coach), a veteran who had coached the club for 10 seasons before leaving at the start of the previous campaign, is back in the driver's seat. After the team was eliminated in the EuroCup last season, Giatras made his return and he will now be at the helm for another season.

### BACKCOURT

The Promitheas backcourt features as many as seven players at the point guard and shooting guard positions. The familiar faces from last season are [Trevis Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-keeps-swingman-simpson/), who extended his deal this summer after a strong EuroCup campaign; [Nikos Gkikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-brings-back-playmaker-gkikas/), who was a reliable option off the bench in 2021-22; young Athanasios Bazinas in his third EuroCup season; and fellow teenager [Nikos Plotas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/nikolaos-plotas/profile/010091/), who will be hoping to get more playing time after making his debut last season. Perhaps the biggest additions this summer have been [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-inks-playmaker-cowan), a point guard in his second season in Europe, and scorer [Joe Young](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-signs-scoring-ace-young/?pageTitle=Homepage&historyUrl=/eurocup/), who is the son of 1993 EuroLeague champion Michael Young. Both are set to make their EuroCup debuts. Combo-guard [Vassilis Mouratos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-brings-in-playmaker-mouratos/), who played in the EuroLeague as a teenager with Olympiacos Piraeus in 2015-16, is another newcomer. He comes off a strong season in the Greek League and will be taking another step forward. Rookie [Jericole Hellems](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-brings-rookie-forward-hellems/) is a toolsy small forward who begins his professional career in Patras and could emerge as a pleasant surprise. Teenage talent and small forward [Tunde Fasasi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tunde-fasasi/profile/011400/) will aim to take part in more than the three games he had last season.

### FRONTCOURT

Power forward [Arnoldas Kulboka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/edited-prewrite-promitheas-adds-forward-kulboka/) is a 24-year-old player with plenty of experience both in Europe and the United States. He will make his EuroCup debut with Promitheas and his outside shooting could be critical to the team's plans. Promitheas has plenty of depth in the paint, starting with [D.J. Funderburk](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-bulks-up-with-funderburk/). Entering his second season as a professional, Funderburk will be eager to leave his mark. [Georgios Tanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/georgios-tanoulis/profile/010631/) will take part in his third EuroCup season. His playing time has grown from season to season and Tanoulis surely will be competing for an even larger role this season. There are two more big men who signed over the summer: [Dimitris Kaklamanakis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-inks-playmaker-cowan/?pageTitle=Homepage&historyUrl=/eurocup/) and [Michalis Tsairelis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-reunites-with-veteran-big-man-tsairelis). Both have experience and while the former is a member of the Greek national team, the latter returns to Patras after a stint in 2018-19.

### PLAYER TO WATCH

All eyes at Promitheas will be on [Trevis Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/promitheas-keeps-swingman-simpson/) this season. He started in five of the eight EuroCup games he appeared in last season and averaged 9.4 points on 42.9% three-point shooting, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in almost 26 minutes on the court. Now, Simpson will be one of Promitheas's leaders from the very beginning of the season and he should have the green light to shoot from deep often. Simpson has gained enough experience to know what's in store in the EuroCup and is expected to be a key contributor for Promitheas. 

### OUTLOOK

Even though Promitheas changed half its team over the summer, a handful of the names that remain were some of the main contributors last season. To make a run to the knock-out stages, [Coach Gkikas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/patras-extends-giatras-as-head-coach/?pageTitle=Homepage&historyUrl=/eurocup/) will have to push the right buttons - something that he has demonstrated know how to do when he put Promitheas's name on the basketball map. In Group B, Promitheas will find tough opponents such as [Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/gran-canaria/roster/can/) and [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/) as well as newcomers like the [London Lions](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/london-lions/roster/lli/), [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/paris-basketball/roster/prs/) and [Hapoel Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-tel-aviv/roster/hta/). In Patras, the belief is that Promitheas's depth, talent, hunger and experience will be more than enough to carry the team to a fruitful campaign.

Preseason: Hapoel, Hamburg win tournaments

EuroBasket: Germany is first into Round of 16

Trento center Ladurner to miss start of season

Preseason results: Reyer grabs tourney win

EuroBasket: Eight perfect teams share group leads after busy third day

Alihan Demir joins Turk Telekom

Roster rundown: Buducnost VOLI Podgorica

EuroBasket: EuroLeague stars shine on opening day

Roster rundown: Promitheas Patras