### Luca Banchi, Virtus head coach

The team, from an emotional point of view, takes energy from the victories, like any team, from the good performance in Monaco and the decent continuity expressed in the tricky away game in Trento. We are preparing for this round of competitions from an emotional standpoint in the ideal condition to do so. The defeat with Kaunas leaves us with that bitterness that I would like us to turn into determination to try to raise the level of our game even more. This is the EuroLeague, as exalted as it gets in European basketball, you have to be very careful because there are no teams that give you room for error. A clear example of this is Berlin, whose characteristics are very specific and so it would be a mistake to think it is a less complex game than Munich and Kaunas were, it is simply different but hides its complexity. Achille is not yet available and this limits our possibilities, it always pushes us to manage this emergency that becomes even more evident playing three games in such a narrow time frame. The team from the mental point of view comes to us with a good mood, from the technical point of view it has to cope with an emergency and it brings with it this little blemish of how we were not able to capitalize on the advantages accumulated against Kaunas, which is perhaps something possible at such an early moment of the season, but the Euroleague does not give margin. We arrive with the load of motivation and determination that allows us to play one game at a time, but always with a consistent will to impose our basketball. This is a team that more than others is strongly characterized by its own style, now for years, with talented players who play at a very high pace, with a type of basketball different from the conventional.

### Isaia Cordinier, Virtus player

There is a big difference now, we have a new coach and we have to adapt to a new system and find a new chemistry, but I think we are doing very well now. We are absolutely far from done, we have a lot of challenges in front of us but we are on the right track. We have to keep building on what we did well and what we improved on in the games against Munich and Trento. We have to learn a lot from the Kaunas game, we cannot concede easy defeats at home. Home wins are crucial for us and will be crucial in the season finale. I work hard and am always ready to help the team, my versatility allows me to do many things on the court, both on defense and offense. I pride myself on being a pliant player and showing it during games by giving 100 percent for the team and to my teammates.

Game News

A week after downing Monaco in impressive style on the road, Virtus (1-1) will look to build further momentum with a visit from winless ALBA (0-2). 

Pre-game quotes: Virtus vs. ALBA

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v ALBA Berlin (2023-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

Check out five bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 2 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. 

Bold predictions for EuroLeague Rounds 3-4

### Edwards will bounce back

#### *by Javier Gancedo*

FC Bayern Munich combo guard [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/) had an underwhelming start of the season. He struglled in Bayern's season-opening win against ALBA Berlin, getting 5 points on 2-of-10 shooting, 3 turnovers and a PIR of -7. Edwards went on to get a PIR of -11 in Round 2 against Panathinaikos Athens, going scoreless after misisng 7 shots, picking 3 turnovers and committing 4 fouls. That's a combined PIR of -18 so far this season. Edwards already had a solid performance in the German League this weekend, getting 20 points and a PIR of 17 against Oldenburg. He arrived to Munich ready to play a leading role and a slow start of the season should not slow him down. Expect Edwards to showcase his scoring skills right away, as Bayern faces back-to-back road games against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and FC Barcelona.

2023-24 EuroLeague highlights: Carsen Edwards, FC Bayern Munich

### Real will be the only 4-0 team after Friday

#### *by Frank Lawlor*

With all its horses healthy for its first two EuroLeague home games, defending champion Real Madrid is looking as formidable as a team can look this early. Even without pillars [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) and [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) on form much yet, Real has shown overwhelming confidence. Still-unbeaten Zalgiris Kaunas and dangerous EA7 Emporio Armani Milan will certainly test the champs, but I expect them to defend WiZink Center thanks to a bench full of take-over players like Round 2 MVP [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/) and wizardly [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/). The other 2-0 teams besides Real and Zalgiris will have it tougher. FC Barcelona must travel 3,500 kilometers from Gran Canaria on Sunday night to play Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's home opener before 18,000 fans on Tuesday, and then make a longer trip home than its Friday opponent, FC Bayern. Valencia has to get past 1-0 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv at home on Wednesday before traveling to face Anadolu Efes Istanbul, a team due to bust out soon. No EuroLeague win is a given, of course, but the way Real has come out of the gates without being at full strength – and [walloping Efes in Istanbul ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-real-madrid/E2023/11/)less than 48 hours after [beating the NBA's Dallas Mavericks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/campazzos-late-heroics-lift-real-past-dallas/) – argues against the champs losing at home now.

### Virtus will put together a winning streak

#### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Virtus Segafredo Bologna had quite an up-and-down couple of weeks to start the new season. In the season opener, Virtus [squandered two 15-point leads in its home loss against Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/virtus-segafredo-bologna-zalgiris-kaunas/E2023/5/), then learned [it has lost Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtuss-polonara-to-undergo-surgery/) for foreseeable future due to a testicular tumor. But Virtus did not let all that keep it down and bounced back like a champ, going on the road and hitting 16 triples in [thumping AS Monaco 59-83](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-virtus-segafredo-bologna/E2023/15/), inflicting Monaco with its worst-ever EuroLeague home loss. Now, in the first double-round week of the season, the team will host two home games, first on Wednesday against winless ALBA Berlin and then on Friday against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade with [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) coming back to town. Luca Banchi men will grasp this opportunity and continue a positive trend with two home wins to improve to 3-1 on the season.

Virtus's 16 triples vs. Monaco

### Larkin, Clyburn to get Efes back on track

#### *by Geoff Gillingham*

The start to this season has not gone to plan for Anadolu Efes Istanbul and new head coach Erdem Can, who has seen his side go 0-2. After falling [91-74 at FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fc-barcelona-anadolu-efes-istanbul/E2023/2/), Efes was [dominated by Real Madrid in its home opener, 80-103](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/anadolu-efes-istanbul-real-madrid/E2023/11/). Against Real, the team’s two star performers – [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) and [Will Clyburn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/will-clyburn/004888/) – scored just 9 points between them, while Clyburn could only muster 7 points in the loss to Barca. Nevertheless, I expect both players to get back on track in the double-round week, as Efes takes on both LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Valencia Basket in Istanbul. If Larkin and Clyburn can light it up on the offensive end, Efes should find itself with a 2-2 record come next weekend.

The successful shots from the floor by Shane Larkin (21 points: 16 vs. FC Barcelona, 5 vs. Real Madrid) and Will Clyburn (11 points: 7 vs. Barca, 4 vs. Real) through the first two rounds of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Field goals of Larkin, Clyburn so far this season

Check out four bold predictions from EuroLeague.net staff members for Round 3 and 4 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. 

FC Barcelona v FC Bayern Munich (2023-10-20T18:30:00.000Z)

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2023-10-20T18:30:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos Athens v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-20T18:15:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Valencia Basket (2023-10-20T17:30:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v ALBA Berlin (2023-10-20T17:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2023-10-19T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-10-19T18:30:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2023-10-19T18:15:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-10-19T17:45:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2023-10-18T18:30:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade v AS Monaco (2023-10-18T18:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Zalgiris Kaunas (2023-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-10-17T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v FC Bayern Munich (2023-10-17T18:30:00.000Z)

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade v FC Barcelona (2023-10-17T16:30:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2023-10-17T17:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos Athens (2023-10-17T17:15:00.000Z)

To prep EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers for the season's first double-round week, podcast host Javier Gancedo is joined by a special guest Michalis Stefanou, a writer for Eurohoops.net and big enthusiast of the fantasy game, so much so that he came within a fraction of winning an entire round last season, when he shared a private league with reigning EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast takes on the first double-round week!

To prep EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge managers for the season's first double-round week, podcast host Javier Gancedo is joined by a special guest Michalis Stefanou, a writer for [Eurohoops.net](http://Eurohoops.net) and big enthusiast of the fantasy game, so much so that he came within a fraction of winning an entire round last season, when he shared a private league with reigning EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.

Javi and Michalis discuss what went right or wrong for them in Round 2 and look forward to Rounds 3 and 4 with particular attention to fantasy strategy when all teams play two games in four nights. What's more, to help managers balance their rosters, the two look at players who are bargain choices right now at less than 10 credits each.

Of course, Javi and Michalis also reveal their trades and final teams for Round 3, complete with their star picks of the week. Check out their conversation and get your game on for EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge!

### Pablo Laso, Bayern head coach

Three away games, especially following our recent schedule, will be challenging for sure, especially since we have some injured players. Nevertheless, we must be ready because this is the schedule for the next five to six months. I also believe that we are ready to fight for victory. We must try to control their rhythm. I know from my own experience how difficult it is to play against Baskonia. Above all, we need to stop Howard, but also respect the other players and their quality.

### Andreas Obst, Bayern player

Lately, we've had games where we didn't start well. For that, we need to be more aggressive and prepared from the beginning in defense. Playing away in the EuroLeague is always tough, especially against Baskonia with their great fans. We must be prepared for that. We must not let the game just come to us, but rather play our game with focus.

Two teams tied with 1-1 records go head-to-head as Baskonia welcomes Bayern for a showdown that already looks like it could have an impact on the playoffs race.

Pre-game quotes: Baskonia vs. Bayern

### Dimitris Itoudis, Fenerbahce head coach

We play against a team that has been built this summer to go all the way. We respect them a lot. We are coming off the game against Valencia and we know that we have things to improve. So we want to bounce back in front of our fans and hopefully we are going to have a packed arena.

### Scottie Wilbekin, Fenerbahce player

It is going to be a tough game. We need to be ready for the game and bounce back after the loss against Valencia. 

Fenerbahce (1-1) will look to rebound from last week's loss in Valencia by overcoming a Panathinaikos team (1-1) whose confidence was renewed with a solid first win over FC Bayern Munich.

Pre-game quotes: Fenerbahce vs. Panathinaikos

Shooting guards Marius Grigonis and Marko Guduric are set to have prime roles when Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Panathinaikos Athens clash in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 3 on Tuesday.

Grigonis, Guduric meet again as Greens visit Fenerbahce

One of the most anticipated games of Round 3 is [a visit from Panathinaikos to the Asian side of Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-panathinaikos-athens/E2023/21/) to face Fenerbahce. One of the key battles in this clash will be between shooting guards [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/) of Fenerbahce and [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/) of Panathinaikos.

The two veteran players are very familiar with each other, having engaged in head-to-head battles eight times since the 2018-19 campaign, but it is Guduric who's had far more success to date.

Not only has Guduric's Fenerbahce won seven of those eight games, but he has averaged 10.3 points on remarkable 55.6% three-point shooting when Grigonis was on the other team, whether that was Zalgiris Kaunas or Panathinaikos.

Guduric also contributed 2.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds for an average PIR of 11.1, compared to Grigonis scoring 6.4 points, and making just 4 triples on 23 attempts (17.4%), with 2.5 assists and 1.6 rebounds for average PIR of 6.9.

Interestingly, half of their head-to-head contests took place in the [2019 EuroLeague Playoffs](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/?round=35&season=E2018), when Fenerbahce ousted Zalgiris 3-1. Guduric and Grigonis have gone one-on-one against another only twice in the last four seasons, and both of those games were in Istanbul.

In March 2021, Grigonis scored 10 points and dished a [career-high 8 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2020-21/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-zalgiris-kaunas/E2020/263/#boxscore) in a 23-point Zalgiris loss. Last season, he was scoreless in 5 minutes on the floor, accumulating a +4 PIR and a -12 in +/- column as Panathinaikos lost by 30.

And while [Guduric had a lot bigger role](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2022-23/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-panathinaikos-athens/E2022/69/#boxscore) with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the winning effort last season, both players are set for very prominent roles on Tuesday night.

The best 2023-24 plays from Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce and Marius Grigonis, Panathinaikos ahead of their Round 3 matchup.

Marko Guduric and Marius Grigonis 2023-24 highlights

In the first two games of this season, Grigonis has been playing 27 minutes on average, posting 14.0 points on 41.7% three-point shooting. No Panathinaikos player [has scored more points (28)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=Score&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=&phase=RS&clubCode=PAN) or knocked down [more triples (5)](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=FieldGoalsMade3&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=RS&clubCode=PAN) this season than Grigonis.

Meanwhile, Guduric has been scoring 10.5 points in 20 minutes per game, but with modest 1-for-9 shooting from long range and just 2 total assists, one in each game. But with fellow Fenerbahce scorer Tyler Dorsey suffering a broken foot last week, Guduric is likely to see extra playing time in coming games, starting against Panathinaikos and Grigonis on Tuesday.

That likely means that how these two players perform against each other could strongly influence this game one way or the other.

Shooting guards Marius Grigonis and Marko Guduric are set to have prime roles when Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Panathinaikos Athens clash on Tuesday.

### Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach

Zalgiris won its two games. We will have to work hard until the end because they have many resources and high-level players. Their bigs can open up and their smalls play in the low post. Alsom, they have great game readers so they have ll the necessary things to have a great season in the EuroLeague. Facing Zalgiris will force us to put all our focus on the court and be aware of everything during 40 minutes. We must know that this game will not be won in minute 10. It will be a long and difficult game, so we must be ready for a long fight and to react to whatever comes our way. I think the game will be sealed at the end, like most of the games in this high-level EuroLeague.

### Kazys Maksvytis, Zalgiris head coach

Real Madrid - the EuroLeague champion, that says it all. They also added Facundo Campazzo in the off-season, who is also from Real’s system. Everyone in the team knows what they play. They are playing fast, sharing the ball well and seems to be in good shape already. Madrid is a tough place to play, I think it’s going to be a tough match. I don’t know if it’s possible to stop them completely. We’ll probably try to slow them down and find some ways to attack ourselves. It’s hard to even single anyone out. Of course, first of all there is Campazzo, Walter Tavares, the same Guerschon Yabusele in good form.

### Walter Tavares, Real Madrid player

We expect a competitive game, as it always is against Zalgiris. They are a team that is hard to beat both at home or on the road because they fight till the end. We need to play a serious game and limit ups and downs if we want our first win at home. I think our concistency will be the key. We must know to wait for our moment and recover fast when we are in trouble.

#### Edgaras Ulanovas, Zalgiris player

You could easily say that they are the best team in Europe at the moment. They feel each other, everyone is in good shape. They kept the core, which won the league in Final Four in Kaunas. Bringing back Campazzo also is working out perfectly, as he already knows the system. Most of the players have been playing there for a long time. It looks like they are playing and enjoying themselves, beating not only European teams but also NBA teams. They are in a very good rhythm.

Only one 100% record will remain intact as Real (2-0) welcomes Zalgiris (2-0) to the Spanish capital. Facundo Campazzo has settled quickly into his second spell with Real, averaging a league second-best 7.5 assists per game. His backcourt battle with Keenan Evans will be crucial, with the fit-again Zalgiris dynamo averaging 16.5 points so far. The visitor also has to find a way of slowing down Guerschon Yabusele, who has delivered sensational early-season form with averages of 20 points and 8 rebounds. With Vincent Poirier also in strong form and Walter Tavares back from injury, Zalgiris big men Kevarrius Hayes – who co-leads the league with 2.5 blocks per game – and Laurynas Birutis face a major task in trying to control the paint.

Pre-game quotes: Real Madrid vs. Zalgiris

### Erdem Can, Efes head coach

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is a team with very physical and athletic players. They have effective big players both in the paint and outside. The results they have achieved so far do not reflect the basketball they have been playing. That's why a very important game is waiting for us.

### Erkan Yılmaz, Efes player

We are heading into the first double-round week of the season. Our goal is to win, undoubtedly. I believe that we will get our first victory with the support of our fans. As we get better every day by working hard and fighting, it is very important that our fans are with us. We will do our best on court to make them happy. Hopefully, this will be a game that we can win and start our winning streak...

A first win of the season is the prize as Efes (0-2) and ASVEL (0-2) look to recover from slow starts. A pair of 20-point defeats in which it faced double-digit deficits after all but one quarter requires that ASVEL try to relieve some pressure and gain some self-belief by keeping this game close for as long as possible. Efes has struggled to find offensive balance so far but is starting to settle under the leadership of new playmaker Darius Thompson, who has averaged 11 points and 4 assists in his first two games. ASVEL can boost its chances of success by taking better care of the basketball, having averaged as many turnovers as assists (15 per game) during its two heavy losses.

Pre-game quotes: Efes vs. ASVEL

### Ettore Messina, Milan head coach

We face the runner ups from last season and so everybody will be extremely motivated to show they belong to this level. For us, it will be important to have concentration for the entire 40 minutes to play defense, take our rebounds and offensively to pass the ball with accuracy, which is necessary to overcome a very physical defense. Our goal is to keep improving and to do it every day in order to reach the standard we want to reach. It will an important night to honor once again Kyle Hines and his fantastic journey.

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos head coach

We are certainly less fresh than Milan, that played on Saturday but did not play with Maccabi for the known reasons. They have had more time to prepare. We always have expectations and demands, where ever we may be playing, to win the game, but we play against a team that has been built to go far down the competition. They have a very experienced and good coach and they always play with extra energy at the Forum. We must play a good team game and have enough players play well. We must allow for this time to pass, because Sikma is going to play, Williams-Goss probably not, although he’s traveling with us. All in all, we are going there with only one practice session together and it’s hard to predict the shape they are going to be in. We need a little more time, that we are going to get in the future. Right now though, we are just trying to survive most of the games, results included.

### Kyle Hines, Milan player

We know which kind of game we have to expect. We know Olympiacos well, they are very aggressive and very physical. So, we need to raise the level of our aggressiveness and physicality to be up to the challenge. We are coming off a painful loss in Istanbul and we want to play a good game and get the win in front of our home crowd. For me personally, it is a huge honor, especially given the many great players that have taken part of this competition over the years. And as an American player the achievement is probably much more significant. So, it is special for me.

### Ignas Brazdeikis, Olympiacos player

Milan is a great team, with a very good coach. They are going to be playing at home and they are going to be having the fans by their side. We are going there to play as hard as we can. We have made a good game plan, we have centered on it these past few days. The most important thing is to be ready to play when we get on the floor and play for one another.

Milan (0-1) returns to action after an unplanned bye week aiming to take its first victory of the season against a hurting Olympiacos (1-1), which will be eager to banish memories of its fourth quarter collapse against Barcelona. Alec Peters has made an outstanding start to the season with averages of 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, and the visitors will need his all-round skills to control the threat of Milan star Nikola Mirotic, who makes his EuroLeague home debut in the Italian fashion capital. The same applies to big man Alex Poythress, who has a major challenge in going up against Reds giant Nikola Milutinov (12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game).