Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Round 3 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season
Pregame quotes, Round 3: 'This is not just another game for us'
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8 Mins read
Wednesday, October 8
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (20:05 CEST)
Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel head coach
"It’s a derby and the importance of this game touches on multiple areas. We’re in a good place, we started the season well, but we know that every game carries great significance for us, especially as we’re new to the EuroLeague. We’re playing against a very athletic team and facing a dangerous opponent - a team with great skills, size, shooters, pick-and-roll threats, and big guys. Overall, it’s a team that can really hurt you if you’re not fully aware or well prepared."
Elijah Bryant, Hapoel guard
"We’re excited about this upcoming game. Every game brings a different test to our team, and it’s another opportunity to get better and improve as a team. We’re looking forward to the fight."
Oded Kattash, Maccabi head coach
"It’s a more historic day for Hapoel Tel Aviv than for us, and we will need to adapt ourselves to the event. We are coming after a loss that hurt us in terms of experience and aggressiveness. It is an important EuroLeague game, and so far we haven’t proven that we can play good basketball. We will need to come with more aggressiveness and commitment. We know how important this game is for the fans"
John DiBartolomeo, Maccabi guard
"We understand the meaning of this game, and the other players also understand the importance of the derby. It is hard to put into words how important it is, but we are ready and excited to be part of this history. We don’t need to let the pressure affect us, but rather let the excitement of this historic and important game lead us. We wanted to start the season better, but what’s important now is to win the derby, and that’s always our mindset in such a game."
Roman Sorkin, Maccabi forward
"They have a very good team, there’s no denying that. But in the end, the story is us. We want and do everything to come to every game and win. I think we are improving from game to game, people are fitting in, and even if it as not yet reflected in victories, it will come. This is not just another game for us. It doesn’t matter if it is the beginning, middle, or end of the season, we are coming to win."
Thursday, October 9
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (20:30 CEST)
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EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. AS Monaco (20:30 CEST)
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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:30 CEST)
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Paris Basketball vs. Virtus Bologna (20:45 CEST)
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Real Madrid vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (21:00 CEST)
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Friday, October 10
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (19:45 CEST)
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Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Dubai Basketball (20:15 CEST)
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FC Bayern Munich vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30 CEST)
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FC Barcelona vs. Valencia Basket (20:30 CEST)
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