### Umana Reyer Venice head coach Walter De Raffaele:

"We are going to face one of the strongest and most experienced teams in the league. Valencia is one of the most important clubs in the EuroCup and they are playing to win this trophy. We pay great respect to the Valencia organization. They have a deep roster and one of the first goals for us is to impact physically against a big-size team. Dubljevic, Prepelic, Dimitrijevic and the Spanish players, so much talent. For us match-up on the physical side and take them as far as we can from their comfort zone would be key to compete."

### Umana Reyer Venice player Mitchell Watt:

"We had a tough hard fight game in Venice against Valencia. Going there will be more difficult, but I think we are preparing in well form. This is a big game for us, we will give everything they we have."

Pre-game quotes: Valencia vs. Venice

Valencia Basket v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-03-16T19:30:00.000Z)

Walter De Raffaele - Umana Reyer Venice (photo Alessandro Scarpa - Reyer) - EC21

### Joventut Badalona head coach Carles Duran:

"This game is a challenge for many reasons. We come from a EuroCup defeat and we want to win again. Also, there are only three rounds left and we have to reinforce our position. Last but not least, Lietkabelis defeated us before and they play good basketball. In Lithuania they played very hard and I hope we remember that and we have the will to compete better than we did there."

Pre-game quotes: Joventut vs. Lietkabelis

Joventut Badalona v Lietkabelis Panevezys (2022-03-15T20:00:00.000Z)

Carles Duran - Joventut Badalona (photo Turk Telekom) - EC21

One of Slask Wroclaw's main pillars in its 7DAYS EuroCup return is center Aleksander Dziewa, who in some ways is not your typical pro player.

Aleksander Dziewa, Slask: 'In Polish basketball, everybody is watching us'

Slask's first EuroCup season since the 2007-08 campaign didn't look great for the team after starting with a 1-9 record in Group A. But by winning its last two home games against Turk Telekom Ankara and Dolomiti Energia Trento, Slask finds itself in a good position to finish among the top eight in the group and qualify to the knock-out rounds. One of Slask's main pillars has been center Aleksander Dziewa, who is showcasing his best basketball after an adjustment period to the competition. Overall, Dziewa is averaging 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and an 11.2 performance index rating through 13 games. But in the last two of those, he has boosted his numbers up to 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and a PIR of 22.5. In some ways, he is not your typical pro player. Dziewa has a degree in architectural engineering from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and competed in chess when he was younger. He compared chess and basketball in this [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com) interview. "Both are strategy games but for sure, the biggest difference is that in chess, you have a lot of time to make a decision," Dziewa said. "In basketball, it is completely different because you have to do something right now." 

**Your last game, with Trento, was a critical for both teams. How did your team handle that pressure to play one of its best games all season?** 

"Well, before the game, we knew how our situation looked, that we had to win this game because now they must win three more games than us to get to the playoffs. So, we knew that and went to play this game very focused, ready to win it." 

**Your defense held Turk Telekom to 68 points and Trento to 67. Is strong defense the way forward for Slask?** 

"For us, it is the most important thing, and what Coach \[Andrej Urlep\] is telling us all the time. If we want to win, we need to play very good defense. Then we will get a lot of easy points in transition and stuff like this. So for us, the most important thing is defense, and we are focused on this."

**This is your first EuroCup season. How do you like it?** 

"The biggest difference is the physicality. The players in EuroCup teams are very strong, very athletic. They have a lot of abilities on offense and defense, and you need to be aware of that. I think this is the biggest difference between the Polish League and the EuroCup. Playing against such good players is helping me improve. It is a huge step forward for me. It is a great lesson for me to improve, to become a better player."

"Playing against such good players is helping me improve. It is a huge step forward for me."

**Has any team, or any opponent, impressed you a lot during this EuroCup season?**

"For sure, \[Johnathan\] Motley of Lokomotiuv Kuban. He was a very strong and very mobile guy with good technique and can play everywhere. So, he was very dangerous. I did not play against Ante Tomic because he was injured or something like this in our first game. I will be playing against him soon and am really looking forward to this game because that's a really huge star and I want to compare myself with him."

**You played chess as a kid and still play for fun. What do you like so much about it?** 

"I think I have a scientific mind, and I like this kind of environment. So, chess was very good for me, when I was a kid and even now, I enjoy playing with my friends. Nothing special now." 

**How do you compare chess and basketball?** 

"Both are strategy games, but for sure the biggest difference is that in chess, you have a lot of time to make a decision. In basketball, it is completely different because you have to do something right now, you know? In chess, you have to rely on yourself and in basketball, you play give against five, so it is completely different."

Big man Aleksander Dziewa steps up for Slask

**How did you handle both studying architectural engineering and becoming a pro basketball player?**

"That was very hard, I have to say. It was very tough studying and playing basketball. I had a lot of projects, a lot of classes... I got a lot of friends who helped me with notes and exams. But there were a lot of sleepless nights, and sometimes I was very tired after those nights. So that was very tough, but I'm really proud of that, that I just did it."

**You and Szymon Tomczak started at the same club in Konin and joined Slask together a few years ago. What's it like sharing your basketball life with him?** 

"It is a very good experience because we are from a really small city. We grew up together and it's very fun to play with him at this level of basketball. I like him very much as a player and as a guy. He's got talent. If you're talking about finishing under the basket, he is really, really impressive. He also has a lot of heart."

"We really want to be in the playoffs and then it is down to one game, each round, so anything can happen."

**You joined Slask in 2016. How gratifying has it been to help bring Slask back to the EuroCup level?** 

"I'm really proud that I'm a part of Slask. I took every step with them. We grew up together, and being at this level really is a good reward for us. For sure, my main goal is to win the Polish League with Slask, to be first in our league."  

**Next, you face Hamburg Towers in another critical game. How much does reaching the EuroCup Playoffs motivate you and your teammates?** 

"For our club, it is a very important thing because they really want it. We really want to be in the playoffs and then it is down to one game, each round, so anything can happen. We will do our best to get to the next round. As for Polish basketball, everybody is watching us. That would be a huge step for Polish basketball."

Gran Canaria point guard Chris Kramer will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a partially torn ACL in his left knee over the weekend. 

Gran Canaria’s Kramer suffers torn ACL

The injury occurred during Gran Canaria’s Spanish League victory over Unicaja Malaga on Saturday. Kramer, 32, averaged 6.1 points, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals as a part-time starter for Gran Canaria this season, his sixth in the EuroCup. He also played in the EuroCup for EWE Baskets Oldenburg and Rytas Vilnius and also played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for Khimki Moscow Region. Kramer is ranked 14th in EuroCup history with 313 career assists.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unfortunately, worst case scenario was confirmed. Hate that my season ended the way it did. Been down this road before and gonna attack this journey the only way I know how…head on and full force. Step by step and day by day!!</p>&mdash; Chris Kramer (@C_K_3) <a href="https://twitter.com/C_K_3/status/1503329286857629696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">stay𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 <a href="https://t.co/uhYLpEFO4A">pic.twitter.com/uhYLpEFO4A</a></p>&mdash; CB Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1503361257180704770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Chris Kramer - Gran Canaria (photo Ales Ferves - Cedevita) - EC21

Here comes Round 15 of the 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season! As always, we have some interesting recommendations for our signature online game, EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. 

Fantasy tips: Everything counts!

Round 14 had a little bit of everything, as teams continue fighting not just for playoffs spots, but also to finish in the highest spot possible in the standings. With four rounds left – and some postponed games to be played – Joventut Badalona leads Group A with an 11-3 record, followed by Partizan NIS Belgrade and Boulogne Metropolitans 92, each at 9-5. In what promises to be a must-watch showdown, Partizan takes on Metropolitans in Round 15. In Group B, Gran Canaria and Valencia Basket each have 10-4 records. Gran Canaria is first, however, due to its 2-0 record against the four-time EuroCup champions. Every game matters from now on and changes the playoffs picture. 

All that has an impact in EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. Only two teams – Valencia and Virtus Segafredo Bologna – recorded road victories in Round 14. All teams are in the playoffs race, so don't expect unusual rotations or players sitting out other than for injuries. Remember, Dolomiti Energia Trento players are getting their average scores in Round 15 as they would have played a now-suspended game with Lokomotive Kuban Krasnodar.

As always, we have five recommendations before Round 15: last week's MVP, a big man who has some of the biggest numbers in competition history, a guard who has been on fire lately, an experienced center trying to lead his team to the top, and a well-rounded playmaker with an extended role in his team's new rotation.

Mam Jaiteh, Alen Omic, Rasheed Sulaimon, Ante Tomic, Derek Needham Top Plays of the 2021-22 Round 14, 2021-22 Round 13 and 1 other Season Part

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge Round 15 recommendations

Want to find out who they are? Here are our recommendations: 

Mam Jaiteh, Virtus Segafredo Bologna (13.7 credits) – Jaiteh had a career-best game against Reyer last week, getting 21 points, 12 rebounds and a PIR of 41. He is no one-hit-wonder, though, having reached a PIR higher than 20 in six games until now. He is averaging 12.3 points on a whopping 72.0% two-point shooting and 7.2 rebounds. A solid choice. 

Alen Omic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (12.9 credits) – Omic is a former EuroCup champion who had made history in the competition, ranking first all-time in two-point shots made (447), second in rebounds (679) and third in PIR (1,547). In the last four games, he's averaging 10.3 points on 18-for-20 two-point shooting (90.0%) and a PIR of 17.3. 

Rasheed Sulaimon, Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (9.9 credits) – A good scorer under 10 credits is a Fantasy Challenge luxury at this point. Sulaimon has boosted his numbers in the last three games, averaging 17.7 points and 4.7 assists for Bourg. His team needs him in a critical showdown against Bursaspor. 

Ante Tomic, Joventut Badalona (12.9 credits) –  Joventut has the EuroCup's best record, and every game is critical to retain that stats. Tomic has been solid, averaging a PIR of 16.6 in less than 21 minutes of the floor. His passing skills and post moves can make the difference in any game. 

Derek Needham, Frutti Extra Bursaspor (11.7 credits) – Since Allerik Freeman left the team, Needham and Andrew Andrews have seen extra responsibilities on offense. Needham had been delivering even before that and is now averaging 18.2 points on 16-for-32 three-point shooting (50.0%) and 4.6 assists in the last five games. Outstanding!

Rasheed Sulaimon - Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (photo Patras) - EC21

Here is where you can watch the Round 15 game between Frutti Extra Bursaspor  and Umana Reyer Venice.

TV Info, Bursaspor vs. Reyer

Balcans: SPORTKLUB 6

In-Flight Vision: IMG ARENA

Internet: [EUROLEAGUE.TV](http://EUROLEAGUE.TV)

Italy: SKY SPORT ARENA and ELEVEN SPORTS

Russian Federation: OKKO SPORT

Slovenia: SPORT TV3

Spain: DAZN

Turkey: S SPORT PLUS

Frutti Extra Bursaspor v Umana Reyer Venice (2022-03-18T16:30:00.000Z)

The first game on Wednesday will see Turk Telekom Ankara take on MoraBanc Andorra for a Round 15 clash. 

Keys to victory: Turk Telekom vs. Andorra

### Turk Telekom looks for effectiveness

Turk Telekom lost its last two games, during which it averaged 68.0 points and shot the ball poorly. Coach Dusan Alimpijevic's team combined to make 29 of 65 two-point shots (44.6%), 18 of 52 three-pointers (34.6%) plus 30 turnovers in those losses against Joventut Badalona and Slask Wroclaw. Running its offense through its most experienced frontcourt players, JaJuan Johnson and Octavius Ellis, should give Turk Telekom the offensive boost it needs to be more competitive. Preventing Codi Miller-McIntyre from attacking the rim is one of the keys for the hosts. 

### Andorra should use its versatility 

Andorra won its last two games by fixing the defensive problems it had. Andorra allowed 90.0 points on average in back-to-back losses against Hamburg Towers and Partizan NIS Belgrade, but lowered that number to 68.0 in victories over Slask Wroclaw and Joventut Badalona. Andorra relies on its most versatile players, Oriol Pauli and Conor Morgan, to find advantages at both wings. Stopping Alex Perez could be critical for the guests and Andorra has Clevin Hannah and Miller-McIntyre to put much-needed defensive pressure on him. 

Codi Miller-McIntyre - MoraBanc Andorra (photo Martin Imatge - Andorra) - EC21

Turk Telekom Ankara v MoraBanc Andorra (2022-03-16T17:00:00.000Z)

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica will try to put a halt to a two-game losing streak when it hosts Promitheas Patras on Wednesday.

Keys to victory: Buducnost vs Promitheas

### Buducnost looks for defensive restart 

Buducnost has allowed 78.4 points this season, but that number rose to 87.0 in its recent losses against Umana Reyer Venice and Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Reyer and Cedevita combined to make 46 of 65 two-point shots (70.8%). Protecting the paint is mandatory against a team with strong centers such as Jerai Grant and Dario Hunt, so the entire Buducnost frontcourt, led by Willie Reed, Marko Jagodic-Kuridza, Zoran Nikolic and a recovered Danilo Nikolic, should collapse the paint to avoid easy baskets. 

### Promitheas needs to stop Buducnost's guards

Promitheas Patras registered a 60-89 home loss against Buducnost in Round 6. Justin Cobbs and DJ Seeley combined for 46 points in that game, so stopping Buducnost's star backcourt duo should be a priority for Coach Ilias Zouros's team. Kendrick Ray and Abdul Gaddy should be ready for a battle against them, making up for their lack of experience at this level with intensity. Promitheas should look to get Dimitris Agravanis involved, as his size and versatility give him advantages against Jagodic-Kuridza and Danilo Nikolic.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Promitheas Patras (2022-03-16T18:00:00.000Z)

Nikolaos Gkikas - Promitheas Patras (photo Patras) - EC21

Hamburg Towers will try to get back on the winning track when it hosts Slask Wroclaw on Wednesday. 

Keys to victory: Hamburg vs Slask

### Hamburg: more rhythm, more wins 

Hamburg has averaged 83.9 points in the EuroCup this season and has done even better when playing at home. Coach Pedro Calles's team averages 90.2 points at home, where it takes 30.8 three-point shots on average. On the other hand, Slask takes 24.2 three-pointers per night, so Hamburg must impose its rhythm and get its best scorers, Jaylon Brown and Caleb Homesley, in good positions to pull the trigger from downtown. Homesley leads the EuroCup in three-point attempts (9.0) and Brown is fourth (7.5). Stopping Aleksander Dziewa down low could also be a key for the hosts.

### Slask keeps improving on defense 

Slask won its last two home games, allowing 67 points against Turk Telekom Ankara and 68 against Dolomiti Energia Trento. It is a much-needed improvement to be more competitive – Slask has allows 81.0 points so far this season. Kerem Kanter and Aleksander Dziewa combined for 35 points and 17 rebounds against Trento in Round 14, so Slask should keep getting its big men involved against a team that heavily relies on its backcourt. Slask may have a better chance to win if it stops Hamburg from running the floor and finding three-point shots in transition.

Justus Hollatz - Hamburg Towers (photo Dawid Podsiadlo - Slask) - EC21

Hamburg Towers v Slask Wroclaw (2022-03-16T18:30:00.000Z)