Two teams just outside the playoff zone will battle to improve their positions as FC Bayern Basketball (6-8) welcomes Anadolu Efes S.K. (7-7) in Round 15 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. 

Preview: FC Bayern Basketball vs. Anadolu Efes S.K.

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/134/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs15-game-facts-mun-ist) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs15-game-notes-mun-ist) | [Quotes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs15-prequotes-mun-ist) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-players-on-the-rise/)

The German team has won three straight at home and will look to dominate through the physical prowess of [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/), who leads the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg.) and ranks second in rebounding (6.8 rpg.). Injury-hit Efes, which has a 2-6 record on the road, has been lifted by newcomer [Mike Daum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-daum/012786/), averaging 13.8 points on 52.6% three-point shooting in his four appearances. Bayern leads the league in rebounding with 39.1 per game, while Efes ranks last with 30.2, so that physical edge could be crucial on Wednesday night.

[Bayern Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/statistics/mun/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Efes Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/statistics/ist/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Devin Booker vs. Mike Daum: Power forwards who wear No. 31

Last Game: 2022-23, FC Bayern Munich vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul   - Round 20

Two teams just outside the playoff places will battle to improve their positions as Bayern (6-8) welcomes Efes (7-7). 

Munich is the site of this week's Bayern vs. Efes clash

FC Bayern Munich v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

Freddie Gillespie has switched FC Bayern Munich for KK Crvena zvezda by signing for the fellow EuroLeague side in a mid-season transfer.

KK Crvena zvezda brings in Freddie Gillespie

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade has signed [Freddie Gillespie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/freddie-gillespie/011941/) for the the remainder of the season. In doing so, the center makes the switch from FC Bayern Munich. Gillespie (2.06 meters, 26 years old) is in his second season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, both of which were spent with Bayern. He averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and a 2.3 PIR in 13 games for Bayern in the 2023-24 campaign in a reduced role. Per EuroLeague bylaws, Gillespie won't be eligible to rejoin the competition with Zvezda until Round 18.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/freddieg_33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freddieg_33</a> je novi košarkaš Crvene zvezde Meridianbet!<br><br>Welcome, Freddie! 🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/zLodYSLPZp">pic.twitter.com/zLodYSLPZp</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1736741682744263107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### An impressive first season

In his rookie EuroLeague season last year, Gillespie started 26 times in 34 appearances and posted 4.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per night. In particular, the American center earned himself a reputation as one of the better shot blockers in the EuroLeague, which is something that Zvezda will be looking to tap in to during his time in Belgrade.

Gillespie’s best performance in his 47-game EuroLeague career came last season against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 17 as he had his first and only double-double, pairing 10 points with 10 rebounds. He recorded a career-high 4 blocks on two occasions last season – in Rounds 24 and 25 – while he had 3 blocks three times: in Rounds 1, 12 and 18.

The best plays of Freddie Gillespie during his time with FC Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague seasons.

Freddie Gillespie's top plays in the EuroLeague

### A reduced role this term

However, since the arrival of Serge Ibaka and Devin Booker, Gillespie has seen himself fall down the pecking order at Bayern under first-year head coach Pablo Laso. In addition to seeing his numbers drop across the board, his minutes have more than halved, going from an average of 18:56 on the court in 2022-23 to 9:11 in 2023-24. He has started just three of his 13 appearances this year, too.

The hope is that a change of scenery will allow Gillespie to get back to his best, as Ioannis Sfairopoulos looks to better protect Zvezda’s paint with the arrival of the former Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic big man.

More Crvena Zvezda News

New Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade signing Freddie Gillespie dunks in an FC Bayern Munich game during the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The center, playing in his second EuroLeague season, joins from Bayern.

Crvena Zvezda brings in Freddie Gillespie

Round 15 tips off the latest Turkish Airlines EuroLeague double-round week with several confrontations between direct rivals in an already-fierce playoff race. 

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 15: First games of double-round week loom large

### Tuesday, December 19

[Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Real Madrid ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/crvena-zvezda-meridianbet-belgrade-real-madrid/E2023/128/)

Runaway league leader Real (13-1) will look to spoil the strong home record of Zvezda (5-9), which has won four of its last five in Belgrade. Fans there will savor a dazzling backcourt exhibition between two of the continent's most exciting creators, former Zvezda star and EuroLeague assists leader [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) (7.8 apg.) and their own [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) (5.4 apg.). In the paint, Zvezda's [Luka Mitrovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luka-mitrovic/002553/) has grabbed more offensive rebounds than any other player (3.1 per game), so Real giants [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) will be tasked with ensuring the home team is denied second-chance possessions. Another Zvezda weapon is [Nemanja Nedovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/), who averages 13.9 points and drained 4 triples in last week's win over ALBA. 

[ALBA Berlin vs. FC Barcelona ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-fc-barcelona/E2023/127/)

ALBA (2-12) will aim to climb from the bottom of the standings with a visit from second-placed Barcelona (10-4), which is eager to immediately bounce back from Friday's home loss to Milan. The Spanish team will look to restore its usual defensive high standards after allowing at least 80 points in each of the last five games, with the hustle of former ALBA forward [Oscar Da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) likely to play a key role on his return to Berlin. The hosts will hope that [Johannes Thiemann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/johannes-thiemann/003958/) (15 ppg., 5.5 rpg.) can continue his great season and dominate the inside battle against Da Silva, [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who has scored in double digits in the last five games. 

Two teams at opposing ends of the standings and on contradictory trajectories collide. ALBA are looking to arrest an alarming losing run, whilst high-flying Barça  are equipped with a blossoming Oscar Da Silva, who returns to face his former employers.

ALBA Berlin vs FC Barcelona - Round 11 - Highlights

[Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/maccabi-playtika-tel-aviv-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/E2023/129/)

Two of the five teams tied for fourth place go head to head as Maccabi (8-6) welcomes Baskonia (8-6). Maccabi has scored at least 90 points in four consecutive games, with the creativity of [Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/) (15.3 ppg., 6.7 apg.) and the all-round skills of [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) (13.4 ppg., 6.3 rpg.) proving a tough combination to handle. But Baskonia also boasts plenty of depth with [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/)'s long-range shooting – he has made 3.4 triples per game, more than any other player – nicely complementing the paint prowess of [Tadas Sedekerskis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tadas-sedekerskis/007230/) and [Chima Moneke](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/chima-moneke/012201/), who respectively rank first and fourth in the league in rebounding (8.2 and 6.5 rpg.). Get ready for a fast-paced and high-scoring shootout.

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/131/)

High-flying Virtus (10-4) will attempt to at least maintain its share of second place with a visit from faltering Olympiacos (7-7), which has slipped down the standings with three losses in four games. Offensive production is becoming a major issue for the Reds, who average just 76.4 points per game (third worst in the league) and were held to just 56 points in last week's home loss to Valencia. [Isaiah Canaa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaiah-canaan/010612/)n does remain a constant deep threat with at least one triple every game this season, but he could be outgunned by the likes of [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/isaia-cordinier/009549/), who has made 6 of his last 8 attempts from long-range for a Virtus team which ranks second in the league in assists (20.2).

[Valencia Basket vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/valencia-basket-partizan-mozzart-bet-belgrade/E2023/130/)

Revisitalized Valencia (8-6) is gunning for a fourth straight victory but it won't be easy against visiting Partizan (8-6), which has surged into a share of fourth place – alongside Valencia, among others – by winning four in a row. Valencia exhibited outstanding defense to claim a 56-63 victory at Olympiacos last week and now needs to do the same against prolific Partizan, which boasts the league's second-best offense with 87.6 points per game. The Serbian team has been boosted by the return of [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/), who is averaging 22 points and 3.3 triples in the last three games. Valencia has also welcomed back a key backcourt figure, with [Martin Hermannsson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/martin-hermannsson/008780/) making his first appearance of the season in the win at Olympiacos.

In a battle between direct rivals just outside the playoffs places, injury-hit Valencia try to overcome the odds once again when confronting a resolute Partizan team boasting one of EuroLeague's most potent offenses, which has scored at least 83 in each of their last four games.

Valencia Basket vs Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - Round 20 - Highlights

### Wednesday, December 20

[Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Zalgiris Kaunas ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/135/)

After starting the Sarunas Jasikevicius era with a big victory over Monaco, Fenerbahce (7-7) will look to keep on rolling with a visit from their new coach's former club, struggling Zalgiris (5-9). [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/) blasting 33 points wasn't enough to prevent Zalgiris from falling to a third straight loss in Round 14 against Partizan, but the Lithuanian team does boast the league's best three-point conversion rate (43%). Fenerbahce is a perfect 6-0 at home and powered last week's win over Monaco by grabbing a whopping 47 rebounds, including 10 from [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), who will look to control the tempo and create good looks for backcourt mate [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/) (12.6 ppg.). 

[AS Monaco vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2023/132/)

A big battle between two ambitious teams sitting a victory apart will take place in the principality as Monaco (8-6) welcomes Panathinaikos (7-7). The host will look for league-leading scorer and former Panathinaikos hero [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) (19.4 ppg.) to extend his 14-game streak of double-digit scoring, but Greens' leader [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) will hope to repeat the form (18 points, 12 assists vs. ASVEL) that saw him earn last week's MVP award. [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) is also in good form for Panathinaikos, with an average of 17.3 points in his last three games, while Monaco has [Elie Okobo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/elie-okobo/011212/) on his best form this season thanks to 12 and 14 points in the last two outings. 

A key duel awaits between a pair of dynamic shooters reuniting with their former teams. Mike James, who once starred for Panathinaikos, leads Monaco with 17.0 ppg, while Dwayne Bacon, who spent 21-22 in Monaco, is the top marksman for the Greens with an average of 17.7.

AS Monaco vs Panathinaikos Athens - Round 27 - Highlights

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/E2023/133/)

Boosted by last week's impressive victory at Barcelona, Milan (5-9) will look to climb closer to the playoffs positions against an ASVEL team (2-12) determined to end a six-game losing slide. A key figure for the French team is [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joffrey-lauvergne/004194/), who has six consecutive double-digit scoring games. He will look to dominate the paint against [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/), who powered the win at Barcelona with 16 points and 6 rebounds. That game also saw the best performance in a Milan uniform by [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) with 21 points on 8-for-10 field goal shooting. He'll look to outshoot dangerous ASVEL gunner [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/timothe-luwawu-cabarrot/012080/), who has nine straight double-digit scoring games.  

[FC Bayern Munich vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-bayern-munich-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/134/)

Two teams just outside the playoffs places will battle to improve their positions as Bayern (6-8) welcomes Efes (7-7). The German team has won three straight at home and will look to dominate through the physical prowess of [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/), who leads the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg.) and ranks second in rebounding (6.8 rpg.). Injury-hit Efes, which has a 2-6 record on the road, has been lifted by newcomer [Mike Daum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-daum/012786/), averaging 13.8 points on 52.6% three-point shooting in his four appearances. Bayern leads the league in rebounding with 39.1 per game, while Efes ranks last with 30.2, so that physical edge could be crucial on Wednesday night.

Round 15: First games of double-round week loom large

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-12-20T19:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-20T18:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-12-20T17:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-19T19:30:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-12-19T20:00:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-19T19:05:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v Real Madrid (2023-12-19T18:00:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v FC Barcelona (2023-12-19T19:00:00.000Z)

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers, a total of 18 games from Tuesday to Friday this week means its time to get your game on, too!

Fantasy Challenge tips: Players on the rise!

Here comes another double-round week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. It's time for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers to look into every detail. This week, we've decided to include some players who are not top-priced and can give you a boost right away in both private league and the overall standings. Without further ado, here are our five recommendations for Rounds 15 and 16.

[Devon Hall, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) (8.1 credits) – Milan arrived to Palau Blaugrana last week without playmakers Maodo Lo and Billy Baron. Hall led Milan to a 86-90 road win over Barca with 21 points and a PIR of 22. As long as Lo and Billy Baron remain sidelined, Hall is set to see extended playing time and should make the most out of it.

[P.J. Dozier, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/perry-dozier-jr/012742/) (11.9 credits) – Partizan is undefeated in December and Dozier has had to do a lot with it. After an adjustment period, Dozier is showcasing his all-around skills, averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and a PIR of 20.6, hitting 23 of 32 two-point shots (71.9%). Truly outstanding!

Mario Hezonja, P.J. Dozier, Devon Hall, Gabriele Procida and Nemanja Nedovic are featured in this week's article.

EuroLeague Fantasy tips: Rounds 15-16

[Nemanja Nedovic, Crvena Zvezda Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nemanja-nedovic/000848/) (12.1 credits) – Zvezda is set to play two games in Belgrade this week and that is good news for Nedovic. He has done really well in the last two home games, averaging 21.5 points on 8 of 14 three-pointers (57.1%) and a PIR of 23.0. He is confident, and that makes him even more dangerous.

[Gabriele Procida, ALBA Berlin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriele-procida/008384/) (7.7 credits) – Procida has taken a step forward this season and should keep seeing quality playing time in each and every game. He is earning it, too. In the last five games, Procida averaged 13.8 points and a PIR of 12.6. Few players, if any, have a better price value in the game right now. Go for him!

[Mario Hezonja, Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) (10.6 credits) – Always ready for big games, "Super Mario" should be ready to do well against both Belgrade-based teams this week. In the last three games, Hezonja averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and a PIR of 17.3. Hezonja has found a way to help his team in many ways in an interesting role coming off the bench.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2023-12-22T19:45:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v AS Monaco (2023-12-22T19:30:00.000Z)

ALBA Berlin v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-22T19:15:00.000Z)

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-22T18:45:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v FC Barcelona (2023-12-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2023-12-22T17:15:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-12-21T19:45:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-21T19:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-12-21T19:05:00.000Z)

Their teams, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, are arch-rivals in one of the biggest derbies in all of sports, but their respective coaches, Ergin Ataman and Georgios Bartzokas, have plenty in common.

 Ergin Ataman, Georgios Bartzokas chat across the red-green divide 

A pair of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title-winning head coaches who now occupy the benches of heated rivals, [Georgios Bartzokas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/bartzokas-georgios?season=E2023) of Olympiacos Piraeus and [Ergin Ataman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/ataman-ergin?season=E2023) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, took advantage of a rare quiet moment in their season to discuss the basketball themes that unite them.

Sitting down over a coffee in the Greek capital, they compared notes on the mutual challenges they have faced, overcome in the past, and continue to work on, season by season.

Olympiacos head coach

Ergin is one of the highest-level European coaches. I believe that his basic weapon is how he handles the game." 

### Winning philosophies

Bartzokas won the EuroLeague with Olympiacos back in 2013, beating Real Madrid in comeback fashion, but lost the title to the same team last year on the final shot.

"If you ask me what you need to create a championship team, you need time," Bartzokas observes. "So you need one, two or three years to create a core of players that can know how to play together."

Ataman turned around Anadolu Efes Istanbul in one season, going from last place to the championship game, then perfected that formula with many of the same players to win the EuroLeague back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

"The consistency of the team is very important," the Panathinaikos boss said. "Even if you transfer 10 star players, it's very difficult to make an altogether consistent team."

### Learning from each other

Having faced each other 17 times in the EuroLeague over the last decade, they've found much to admire in each other.

"Ergin is one of the highest-level European coaches. I believe that his basic weapon is how he handles the game. He doesn't hesitate to make the right move," Bartzokas says. "Even if it's the most expensive player that he has, if he doesn't play well, he will bench him immediately."

"For me," says Ataman, "It's very exciting that Coach Bartzokas has this system that I believe gives the confidence to his players. So everybody knows what to do. This is very important."

Panathinaikos head coach

For me, it's very exciting that Coach Bartzokas has this system that I believe gives the confidence to his players."

### Local rivals for the first time

Ataman is new to Greece, but already he understands what basketball means there.

"When I walk on the street, everybody is following basketball, everybody knows basketball. The people have a big passion for basketball," he says. "Everybody on the street, they ask me more to beat Olympiacos. They don't ask me more to win the EuroLeague."

Bartzokas has left Greece and returned since winning that EuroLeague title in 2013 and has experienced great rivalries in other countries.

"Olympiacos is like a religion for our fans. And winning or losing is something more than just a win or just a loss. And somehow we need to calm down," he says, "because sports needs to be something that is making us happy."

Their teams, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, are archrivals in one of the biggest derbies in all of sports, but their respective coaches, Ergin Ataman and Georgios Bartzokas, have plenty in common.

Bartzokas and Ataman chat across the red-green divide

Their teams may be arch-rivals in one of the biggest derbies in all of sports, but their coaches have plenty in common.



Ataman, Bartzokas chat across the red-green divide

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan must make do without Giampaolo Ricci for at least 3 weeks after the forward suffered a right hamstring injury during Friday’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague victory over FC Barcelona. 

Milan’s Giampaolo Ricci out with hamstring injury

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan must make do without [Giampaolo Ricci](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/giampaolo-ricci/001518/) for at least 3 weeks after the forward suffered a right hamstring injury during Friday’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague victory over FC Barcelona. At the end of the aforementioned time period, Ricci will be reevaluated. The 32-year-old is in his third season with Milan and has averaged 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 77 career EuroLeague games.

The veteran forward will miss at least 3 weeks.

**HAPPY RETIREMENT**: Former Anadolu Efes team captain Dogus Balbay has hung up his basketball shoes and called it quits on his professional basketball career. He won 10 trophies with Efes, including back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2021 and 2022. Happy retirement, Dogus!

<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zGC3AsaqH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zGC3AsaqH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0zGC3AsaqH/?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 Dogus Balbay (@dogusbalbay)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>


**FIRST GREETING**: Sarunas Jasikevicius took over as the head of the Fenerbahce bench this last week and one warm greeting surprised him.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Başantrenörümüz Sarunas Jasikevicius İstanbul&#39;a geldi! 💛💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/aw5pScitNx">https://t.co/aw5pScitNx</a> <a href="https://t.co/WqkvyQsv1h">pic.twitter.com/WqkvyQsv1h</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1735304675610579142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C04txMRNT6H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C04txMRNT6H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C04txMRNT6H/?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 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@euroleague)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>


**THERAPY**: The swimming pool is one of the places where Zalgiris forward Arnas Butkevicius is working on recovering from a foot injury.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris player Arnas Butkevicius continues his rehabilitation in the Zalgirio Arena swimming pool! 🏊♂️💦 <a href="https://t.co/1OwzWlxJk8">pic.twitter.com/1OwzWlxJk8</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1734861758706139410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

**MAKING CHILDREN SMILE**: Toko Shengelia and Daniel Hackett, accompanied by  Virtus Segafredo Bologna CEO Luca Baraldi, visited the children's ward at the Policlinico Sant'Orsola hospital, making it a special day for the boys and girls who got to have met their idols. In the Spanish capital, Real Madrid delivered presents to the children at a local hospital, too.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Daniel e Toko per gli auguri di Natale ai bambini del Policlinico Sant&#39;Orsola ❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/3SnfS9uaJl">pic.twitter.com/3SnfS9uaJl</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1734888567862632557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🎁 Nuestros capitanes y entrenadores visitaron a los niños ingresados en los Hospitales <a href="https://twitter.com/sanitas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sanitas</a>.<br>🏥 Hospital Universitario Sanitas La Moraleja<br>🏥 Hospital Universitario Sanitas La Zarzuela <a href="https://t.co/mL7Qr6MDjT">pic.twitter.com/mL7Qr6MDjT</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1735742305049645200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**LASO HOMECOMING**: Bayern coach Pablo Laso had an emotional return to Madrid and it was emotional for Real Madrid's players, too. Sergio Llull posted on social media before the game: "It is a special game tomorrow. The person who taught us how to win, who created our basketball style, comes back home. Let's welcome him the way he deserves."

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Mañana es un partido especial. Vuelve a casa la persona que nos enseñó a ganar, la que creó nuestro estilo de baloncesto. <br>Recibámosle como merece 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 <a href="https://t.co/KdDmE1ygdD">pic.twitter.com/KdDmE1ygdD</a></p>&mdash; Sergio Llull (@23Llull) <a href="https://twitter.com/23Llull/status/1734925917628027062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Off to Madrid 🇪🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMBBAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMBBAY</a> <a href="https://t.co/jKrKt59PyC">pic.twitter.com/jKrKt59PyC</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1734960793899114895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back at Wizink Center in a new role, but the memories are everlasting👀<br><br>A heartfelt tribute to Pablo Laso in his first visit as a rival coach👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/83JVjJiwZK">pic.twitter.com/83JVjJiwZK</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1735390106964422670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Fue una noche emotiva ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/YUr7vcX71M">pic.twitter.com/YUr7vcX71M</a></p>&mdash; Edy Tavares (@waltertavares22) <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22/status/1735455970371809334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Pasados un par de días….<br><br>Solo puedo dar las gracias. <br><br>Gracias a….. necesitaría millones de twits.<br><br>MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS<a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/w9UnHlHc3a">pic.twitter.com/w9UnHlHc3a</a></p>&mdash; Pablo Laso (@pablolaso) <a href="https://twitter.com/pablolaso/status/1735932284094632010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**POLONARA WELCOME**: Virtus forward Achille Polonara made his EuroLeague return on Thursday and fans in Vitoria-Gasteiz gave a standing ovation to the former Baskonia player who in the last two months underwent surgery and chemotherapy to treat a testicular tumor.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Uno de los nuestros 💙❤️<br><br>🫂 <a href="https://twitter.com/ilpupazzo33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ilpupazzo33</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/6r8Oyeybq1">pic.twitter.com/6r8Oyeybq1</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1735382673936261318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C02XdXnNXQt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C02XdXnNXQt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C02XdXnNXQt/?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 Achille Polonara (@ilpupazzo33)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>


**FAMILIAR FACES**: There was some German reunion in Barcelona and a French get-together at LDLC Arena.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Familiar faces ✌️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/vfNVQrD3G4">pic.twitter.com/vfNVQrD3G4</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1735278342998229114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">German Flavor in Barcelona <a href="https://t.co/lvvIykf9ks">pic.twitter.com/lvvIykf9ks</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1735739201998491803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


**WINNERS' CORNER**: Partizan players were greeted by their fans outside Zalgirio Arena, Valencia won in Piraeus in Martin Hermannsson's return from injury, while Virtus and Milan both picked up big road wins in Spain.

Here's a selection of last week's social media posts from around the EuroLeague.

EuroLeague week on social media

Virtus Bologna strengthened its bid to make the EuroLeague Playoffs with an impressive 81-91 win at Saski Baskonia in Round 14 of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.

Virtus Bologna proved itself to be title contenders in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Coming into [Thursday’s game against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/euroleague-live-blog-saski-baskonia-vs-virtus-bologna/), Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s players were aware that winning at one of the hottest teams in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague was not going to be an easy task.

After replacing Joan Penarroya with head coach Dusko Ivanovic earlier this season, Baskonia had won seven of its last eight duels under the Montenegrin tactician. Meanwhile, Virtus had lost all three of its previous road games, having grabbed just two victories from five encounters away from Bologna.

### Virtus wanted a statement win – and then achieved it

Hence, the Italian side arrived at Buesa Arena looking for a statement win to prove to everyone that it should be considered a legitimate title contender after a strong start to the season. And that is exactly what Virtus did on Thursday night.

Baskonia may have to find a way of stopping its own former star, Toko Shengelia, who continued his stellar season with 27 points in Virtus' victory over Maccabi. Long-range fireworks could come from prolific three-point shooter Markus Howard, while Marco Belinelli is also regarded as a major deep threat.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | Round 14 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Luca Banchi’s men hit the ground running and outscored Baskonia 15-24 in the first quarter to send a message to Baskonia and somewhat silence the home crowd. Naturally, the hosts responded and managed to turn the game around in the second quarter, taking a narrow 43-42 lead into the second half. The game became a tight affair in the third quarter, but Virtus went on a 0-10 run down the stretch in the final quarter to come away with the victory.

“I believe that we played a very solid second half,” Banchi said in the flash interview after the game. “It’s not only the rebound battle, but also the way we executed for most of the game. A very important win to consolidate our position in the standings, but also our identity as a team. This is a tight tournament where every game, especially on the road, matters. That win means a lot for us.”

### Some stellar performances on the night

[Marco Belinelli had an outstanding display](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/marco-belinelli-turned-back-the-clock-to-lead-virtus-bologna-past-saski-baskonia/), scoring a career-high 27 points. Meanwhile, Tornike Shengelia produced a player-of-the-game performance, pairing his 16 points with 6 rebounds. He also dished 4 assists, had 1 block and drew 6 fouls. The icing on the cake was an impossible basket that he scored at the end of the second quarter to make it 38-39 for the guests.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big Team W 🔥 on the next one . <a href="https://t.co/CyWqxBIFf9">pic.twitter.com/CyWqxBIFf9</a></p>&mdash; Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcobelinelli/status/1735436075139522797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We have such experienced guys who can really lead the team, and tonight they’ve proved for another time that they can give everybody the right direction,” Banchi added. “But we need a team behind that. We need a squad. I believe that tonight we have to congratulate everyone, because everybody made a special effort to face such a good team like Baskonia in such a moment. \[Belinelli and Shengelia\] played as leaders, but everybody was able to follow \[their lead\].”

The two veterans scored 43 of their team’s 91 games but most importantly they netted 15 of Virtus’s 28 points in the fourth quarter, when the Italian side outscored Baskonia 21-28 to clinch the victory. In the post-game press conference, Banchi hailed Belinelli’s ability to step up and carry the team on his shoulders on Thursday night.

“It was our seventh game on the road between the Italian League and EuroLeague and we had six defeats,” the Italian play-caller said. “It was time to prove \[that we can win away from Bologna\]. When you have such that kind of leadership in the team, everything changes because everybody gets lots of confidence from \[Belinelli’s\] approach.”

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great W 🤩🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/o4NCwpKBXr">pic.twitter.com/o4NCwpKBXr</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1735425390896677327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With its win at Baskonia, Virtus has sent a message to the rest of the EuroLeague teams. Currently boasting a 10-4 record, the third-best record in the competition, the Italian side is continuing to make a lot of noise under Coach Banchi.

Not many would have predicted Virtus would make the EuroLeague Playoffs before the season, but as the campaign goes on, it looks like we could be looking at a potential Final Four team in the making.

The Virtus Segafredo Bologna players celebrate their win against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in Round 14 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

The Italian side improved its road record to 3-3, having gone a dominant 7-1 at home.

Virtus's win in Vitoria-Gasteiz boosted its stock as a title contender

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2023-12-14T19:30:00.000Z)

Look back at all the action from Round 14 of the regular season by checking out the best photos of the week!