Name: What a pass from Hermannsson! Motorola Magic Moment
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

FC Barcelona registered its fifth consecutive win in the EuroLeague by downing Anadolu Efes 88-97 on the road in Round 6 on Tuesday. 

Barcelona beats Efes to stay top of the standings, 88-97

FC Barcelona registered its fifth consecutive win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by downing Anadolu Efes Istanbul 88-97 on the road in Round 6 on Tuesday. 

The *Azulgrana* improved to 5-1 and became the first team to win five consecutive EuroLeague games this season, while Efes dropped to 3-3. Chimezie Metu led the winners with 21 points. Kevin Punter added 20, Jabari Parker had 13 while Justin Anderson got 12 for Barca. Darius Thompson paced Efes with 16 points. Jordan Nwora added 13 while Vincent Poirier and Dan Oturu each had 10 for the hosts.

Game Videos

Alex Abrines hit a triple and Parker added two more to give Barca an early 2-9 lead. Punter followed a jumper with a three-pointer to make it a double-digit game, 4-14. Poirier took over with an alley-oop slam and Bryant added a floater in a 7-0 run that Nwora capped with a driving basket. Abrines and Ercan Osmani each struck from beyond the arc and Bryant's coast-to-coast layup made Barca stop the game at 16-17. Bryant completed Efes' comeback with a three-pointer. Anderson and Nwora traded triples, Jan Vesely hit a jumper and Tomas Satoransky's three-point play restored a 22-26 Barca lead. Rolands Smits hit a jump hook, Thompson scored again and Metu's three-pointer fixed the score at 26-29 after 10 minutes.

Anderson scored off a steal early in the second quarter and Metu erased Smits's close basket with a jump hook. A red-hot Metu dunked and matched Bryant's three-point play with a bomb from downtown, good for a 32-38 Barca lead. Oturu dunked but Anderson and an unstoppable Metu kept the guests way ahead, 36-43. Rodrigue Beaubois buried a floater, Oturu dunked again and Stanley Johnson brought Efes within 42-43. Smits ignited the crowd with a dunk and Thompson added a triple but Parker single-handedly kept Barca in charge, 47-48. Smits sank another jump hook, Willy Hernangomez scored in the paint and Punter followed that with a huge buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave Barca a 51-55 edge at the break.

Game News

Juan Nunez struck from beyond the arc and found Hernangomez for a jumper that gave Barca a 51-60 lead. Parker scored in the low post, Poirier answered with a huge dunk and Hernangomez gave the guests a 53-65 edge. Poirier dunked again, Parker erased that with a jumper off the dribble, then Beaubois's driving layup gave Efes hope at 58-67. Punter and Beaubois each struck from beyond the arc and Metu's big basket off the dribble restored a 62-73 Barca lead. Bryant tried to change things for Efes, Metu shocked the crowd with an acrobatic three-point play and Nwora's floater kept the hosts within 66-76 after 30 minutes.

Anderson finished a three-chance Barca offense with a baseline jumper and Vesely added a put-back slam for a 66-80 margin with over 7 minutes left. Nwora buried a jumper that an unstoppable Anderson improved with a bomb from downtown. Oturu scored in penetration, Nwora added consecutive driving layups, and Dogus Ozdemiroglou hit a corner triple to give Efes hope at 77-86. Nunez somehow found Punter for a layup, getting help from Matu to stop Efes' comeback, 79-91. Thompson buried a three-pointer, Parker scored around the basket and Abrines sealed the outcome from the foul line, as Efes had ran out of chances in the final 2 minutes.

Joan Penarroya's men now have a 5-1 record, while the hosts dropped to 3-3

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v FC Barcelona (2024-10-29T17:30:00.000Z)

The loose ball goes to Martin Hermannsson, who unleashes a bullet pass to Louis Olinde for the dunk.

What a pass from Hermannsson! Motorola Magic Moment

 The loose ball goes to Martin Hermannsson, who unleashes a bullet pass to Louis Olinde for the dunk.

ALBA Berlin v Paris Basketball (2024-10-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Juan Nunez dives for a loose ball and sends a no-look magic assist to Kevin Punter for an easy basket - what a pass!

Nunez's magic assist! Motorola Magic Moment

 Juan Nunez dives for a loose ball and sends a no-look magic assist to Kevin Punter for an easy basket - what a pass!

BC Wolves notched their third straight win in the EuroCup by coming from down from 14 points to beat Besiktas Istanbul 93-78 in Round 6.

Wolves come from behind to sink Besiktas, 93-78

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius rallied from a 14-point deficit and used a huge third quarter to beat the visiting Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul 93-78 on Tuesday night. Wolves registered their third straight win and first at home, which has seen them improve to 3-3 in Group A, the same record as Besiktas.

The visitors hit 7 triples in the first quarter and were 10 for 14 in the second as they led 22-36, but as soon as those threes stopped falling, Wolves erased the margin, took over the lead and then raced away to a 20-point lead in the third quarter.

Tre'Shawn Thurman had 19 points for Wolves and Marek Blazevic collected 16 points plus 10 rebounds in the win. Andrew Andrews scored 18, Anthony Cowan Jr. finished with 15 points, and Matas Jogela had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Besiktas's Derek Needham and Conor Morgan scored 19 apiece, while Dustin Sleva had 11.

Both teams went with an up-tempo style early on. Needham and Morgan each hit a three-pointer in the opening five minutes, but the Wolves used six points from Marek Blazevic and a monster dunk from Matas Jogela to open a 10-7 lead. Kelan Martin ended Besiktas's drought with a corner triple as teams proceeded to trade leads. Garrison Brooks and Thurman, who scored 8 points, went to work inside for the hosts, while Dustin Selva netted two threes and Yigit Arslan one for Besiktas. Another corner triple from Martin helped the visitors to open 20-26 lead after 10 minutes.

The second quarter started with a triple from Needham, and he had a layup with 8:12 left in the half, the team's first two-pointer of the game. Another three from Needham and a second-chance basket from Sleva made it 22-36. But Wolves scored the next 10 points, with Blazevic scoring inside before Kristupas Zemaitis and Jogela hit back-to-back shots from the outside to cut it to 32-36. Sleva snapped a run with his third three-pointer and Martin had a three-point play, but three-pointers from Andrews and Thurman helped tie things at 42-42. A three-point play from Andrews put the hosts in front, and the same player scored again to make it 47-42 at halftime.

Needham opened the second half with a tough triple, but a three from Anthony Cowan and a nifty floater from Blazevic put Wolves up 56-45. Jogela added one basket inside and one from the outside, and Miniotas scored on a fast break to cap an 11-0 run and open a 67-47 margin. A long three from Andrews and a driving layup from Cowan extended the margin to 76-52, with the hosts taking a 78-56 lead into the fourth quarter.

The hosts' offense slowed down in the final 10 minutes, but Besiktas kept struggling offensively, too. A 0-14 run fueled by a triple apiece from Morgan and Needham cut it to 84-73, capped by a fast-break layup from Needham. But Cowan netted a long triple, and Jogela's put-back restored an 89-73 score, icing the game.

The Lithuanian side notched its third straight win

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-10-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Kenneth Ogbe drives the lane and dishes a no-look dime to Kur Kuath

Ogbe’s no-look dish to Kuath! Magic Moment 

Kenneth Ogbe drives the lane and dishes a no-look dime to Kur Kuath 

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Turk Telekom Ankara (2024-10-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Kur Kuath takes over with a blocked shot on defense before running the floor for an alley-oop jam

 Kuath puts on a show! Magic Moment 

Kur Kuath takes over with a blocked shot on defense before running the floor for an alley-oop jam 

Yoan Makoundou reacts to a blocked shot and throws down a ferocious slam dunk

 Makoundou throws it down! Magic Moment 

 Yoan Makoundou reacts to a blocked shot and throws down a ferocious slam dunk

Vincent Poirier gets the ball from Darius Thompson and detonates one of the best alley-oop dunks of the season!

Poirier's huge alley-oop slam! Motorola Magic Moment

 Vincent Poirier gets the ball from Darius Thompson and detonates one of the best alley-oop dunks of the season!

Martin and Terry connect for a big alley-oop dunk.

Martin to Terry alley-oop! Magic Moment

 Martin and Terry connect for a big alley-oop dunk.

Kevin Punter beats the halftime buzzer with a HUGE SHOT!

Punter beats the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment

 Kevin Punter beats the halftime buzzer with a HUGE SHOT!

Darius Thompson connects with Vincent Poirier for a high-flying alley-oop dunk!

Poirier's alley-oop dunk! Motorola Magic Moment

 Darius Thompson connects with Vincent Poirier for a high-flying alley-oop dunk!

Jogela's monster slam! Magic Moment 

Euroleague.net's team of experts – Javier Gancedo, Geoff Gillingham, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic – have made their bold predictions for Rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

Bold predictions, Rounds 6-7: Teams going in different directions

The second double-round week of the season is here, which should spell plenty of drama for all 18 teams in Rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

In the lead-up to Round 6, the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) experts have each come up with one bold prediction.

### Paris to keep on charging this week

### *by Geoff Gillingham*

What a time to be a [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/?season=2024-25) fan. In the club’s first-ever season in the EuroLeague, Tiago Splitter has guided his team to two notable wins – at home against reigning champ Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in Round 3 and on the road at AS Monaco in Round 5 – to give the Parisian club a 2-3 record after five games. In fact, Paris could easily have found itself with two, if not three, more wins under its belt, but its inexperience was its undoing. This week, I think Paris – led by superstar point guard [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) – will beat ALBA Berlin on the road on Tuesday before downing Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at home on Friday. That Baskonia game will be a special occasion for Coach Splitter, who had his No. 21 jersey retired by the Spanish club last season, but I think Paris will be looking at an impressive 4-3 record come the end of this week.

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### Olympiacos bounces back at home

### *by Javier Gancedo*

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/?season=2024-25) has had a rough start to the season and currently ranks 11th with a 2-3 record. It also lost against archrival Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the Greek League derby last Sunday, so it is time for the Reds to regroup at home against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona – that's my bold prediction. Olympiacos should beat Real, as it is [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/)'s first game against *Los Blancos* since losing the 2023 EuroLeague Championship Game at the buzzer. No one will be more motivated in this game, and Vezenkov already had 29 points and a PIR of 34 in that fatal night back in 2023. [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) should have a key role, guarding [Facu Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) in Round 6 and [Kevin Punter](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kevin-punter/009862/) in Round 7. Olympiacos beat Barca in last season's playoffs, winning Game 5 at Palau Blaugrana, so the atmosphere should be wild at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Despite its slow start, Olympiacos is basically the same team as last season, plus Vezenkov, [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/). Expect the Reds to have a winning record by the end of this week. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">🙏🏽 Τα εισιτήρια για την αποψινή (29/10, 21:15) αναμέτρηση με την <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> εξαντλήθηκαν !<br><br>✊🏽 Πάμε να παλέψουμε ΟΛΟΙ μαζί για τη νίκη! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/UFEbP7jKMN">pic.twitter.com/UFEbP7jKMN</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1851275766547324965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Zalgiris’s magic act comes to an end

### *Frankie Sachs*

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) is tied for the league’s top record alongside FC Barcelona at 4-1. And now it hosts back-to-back home games. Is now the time coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team establishes itself among the contenders. In my humble opinion, it will not. Since beating Barcelona on opening night, Zalgiris’s wins thus far have come against teams at the bottom rungs of the standings and its clashes against teams with winning records – Crvena Zvezda Meridienbet Belgrade on Wednesday and AS Monaco on Friday – present much stiffer challenges. Zalgiris has won so far with a collective effort as only two players ([Sylvain Francisco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sylvain-francisco/007975/) and [Dovydas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dovydas-giedraitis/007513/)) are averaging double digits in scoring or PIR. Zalgiris has not yet replaced Tyrone Wallace and offseason additions [Deividas Sirvydis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/deividas-sirvydis/007029/) and [Matt Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) have not provided offensive fireworks. To beat the stars on Zvezda and Monaco, they will need those fireworks. I am not sure they are up Trinchieri’s sleeve.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EuroLeague Round 5 🎬 <a href="https://t.co/3R0OCeB3wG">pic.twitter.com/3R0OCeB3wG</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1849859311763337480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Monaco shows character on the road

### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Monaco has had an up-and-down start to the season, just like almost every other EuroLeague team. Heading into the second double-round week of the season with a 3-2 record isn't that bad, especially considering the team has been missing key backcourt pieces in [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nick-calathes-out-3-4-weeks-with-knee-injury/) and [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/monaco-furkan-korkmaz-to-miss-3-4-weeks/), while [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) is still not at 100% after his back surgery this past summer. However, Monaco played four of its five games at home and lost its only away clash, which came at FC Barcelona. This week, Monaco will first visit Partizan, then travel to Kaunas to face Zalgiris. A challenging week with two tough road games in front of packed houses. But I think Monaco shows character and steals two road wins in three days, putting the rest of the league on notice of what this team is capable of.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🎬 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 🔮<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocaTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RocaTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DagheMunegu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DagheMunegu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://t.co/LegTwlyI2M">pic.twitter.com/LegTwlyI2M</a></p>&mdash; AS Monaco Basket 🇲🇨 (@ASMonaco_Basket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket/status/1851192274165649897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Euroleague.net's team of experts have each made one bold prediction ahead of Rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024-25 season

Paris Basketball v Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (2024-11-01T19:45:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v AS Monaco (2024-11-01T18:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-10-30T18:00:00.000Z)

TJ Shorts is blazing the trail for undersized guards in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, but some other sub-1.80m players also shined in the EuroLeague in the past.

Three sub-1.80m EuroLeague stars who paved the way before TJ Shorts

Round 5 MVP [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tj-shorts/012608/) has been one of the standout players of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season so far, despite standing at just 1.75 meters. The [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/) guard is putting on a clinic when it comes to dominating the game with his speed by actually using his height to his advantage. The funny, and rather impressive, thing is that we are talking about a player who isn’t really a reliable threat from the perimeter but still manages to be pretty much unstoppable.

The sample isn’t large, of course, but his averages of 19.8 points, 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds are telling. As are Paris’ wins over defending champion Panathinaikos, which came at Adidas Arena, and Final Four contender AS Monaco on the road.

Very few EuroLeague players before Shorts managed to have such an impact on their teams’ game and make this kind of noise while being under 1.80m. Here’s a Holy Trinity (plus one special mention) of past EuroLeague stars who perfectly exemplified the “heart over height” motto.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1734817/three-sub-1-80m-euroleague-stars-who-paved-the-way-before-tj-shorts/).

More Paris Basketball News

He is following in the footsteps of some memorable guards

Besiktas Istanbul guard Derek Needham is determined to lead his club to EuroCup glory, with the 34-year-old having come close on several occasions in the past.

Derek Needham, Besiktas have some unfinished business to take care off

[Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) has been close multiple times before. Now he wants to finally reach the mountaintop.

“Winning the BKT EuroCup is the dream,” Needham tells Eurohoops. “That would be the kind of closure to the EuroCup runs we’ve been on.”

When he joined [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) in 2023, Needham had established himself as one of the most prominent guards in the EuroCup. He was named to the competition’s All-EuroCup Second Team in 2022, having helped Bursaspor make a shock run to the EuroCup Final, and then took his talents to Istanbul and the Black Eagles.

“I’ve been to the final four two times now,” Needham adds. “Once, I made the final. Last year we were really close. To hold that trophy will mean everything. I won’t stop until I get it. I’ve been hunting for it.”

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1734810/derek-needham-and-besiktas-have-some-unfinished-business-to-take-care-off/).

More Besiktas News

The veteran guard has big expectations for his squad this season

Fantasy experts Frankie Sachs, Javier Gancedo and Vasiliki Karamouza offer their advice ahead of Rounds 6 and 7 in the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge.

EuroLeague Fantasy Podcast: Tips for another double-round week

The fifth episode from season two of the EuroLeague Fantasy Podcast has landed, with [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) duo [Frankie Sachs](https://x.com/MrEuroleague) and [Javier Gancedo](https://x.com/ganchetto) and Sport 24’s [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://x.com/karamouza_vas) offering their advice for fantasy managers ahead of Rounds 6 and 7 in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Which players should you specifically target this week? Which players should you drop? Find out more by checking out the video above.

The Reds look to snap a four-game slide in games against Los Blancos when they meet on Tuesday.

The heat is on for Olympiacos-Real Madrid showdown

What do you get for the rivalry that has it all?

After all, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/?season=2024-25) and [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/?season=2024-25) have met in back-to-back Final Fours, including the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, which was only decided in the final seconds. One player ([Nigel Williams-Goss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-williams-goss/007982/)) switched sides from the Spanish capital to the Greek port city in the summer of 2023.

Olympiacos head coach Georgios Bartzokas and forwards [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) and [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/) all spent time with Real Madrid’s archrival, FC Barcelona. Real forward [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) is a self-avowed fan of Olympiacos’s archrival, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

<center><iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/rvaQRHCzisFeo" width="480" height="298" style="" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/russell-crowe-rvaQRHCzisFeo">via GIPHY</a></p>

Okay, not entertained. I get it. Been there, done that.

How about the fact that Real has won four in a row against Olympiacos? Now we are getting somewhere. And add the fact that – to put it mildly – neither team has gotten off to a blistering start to the season. Real is 3-2 and Olympiacos is 2-3.

Now just imagine how important this Round 6 fixture is to both teams… And thus we have captured the essence of the Rivalry Series. This win will mean a lot to the victors. And it will truly smart the losers.

### The heat is on the coaches

We can start with the coaches. If Real wins, Bartzokas will be off to the worst start of a season among his eight on the Olympiacos bench. That would add even more pressure after the Reds lost their Greek League derby against Panathinaikos on Sunday. And with Vezenkov, the 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP, back with the team after a year away.

If Olympiacos wins, coach Chus Mateo of Real will be off to his worst start as head coach of the team. For contrast, *Los Blancos* did not lose their third game last season until Round 22. So the heat is on.

### Two of the league’s biggest stars

Despite the team’s quiet starts, their main stars have been rocking. Real playmaker [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/) leads the league in PIR (25.2 per game) with excellent shooting (50% 2FG, 56.2% 3FG, 100% FT). Vezenkov is fifth in PIR (22.6) and averaging 16.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Between [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/), the reigning EuroLeague Best Defender, and [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/), who is Campazzo’s friend and former teammate at both the club and national team level, Olympiacos has reasons to believe it can slow down Real’s star. Last season, Campazzo only totaled 24 points in three games against Olympiacos. He also had 27 assists as well as 11 turnovers.

The last time Vezenkov played Real, he went off for 29 points, 9 boards and 4 assists in the 2023 title decider. But he will see a much different defense this time; [Gabriel Deck](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/gabriel-deck/009005/) was injured and [Eli Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/eli-ndiaye/009213/) was but a teenager with a bit role. Can they contain the former MVP this time?

The list of what may make this Rivalry Series game great is infinite. Both teams are rich in talent and history. But if we just focus on the rivalry between them, the dread of another early-season loss and the great form of their stars, we have enough of an understanding why this is must-see basketball!

The Reds look to snap a four-game slide in games against Los Blancos when they meet on Tuesday

Olympiacos Piraeus v Real Madrid (2024-10-29T19:15:00.000Z)

The EuroCup's top rebounder Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice sat down for a one-on-one interview with Javier Gancedo

Mfiondu Kabengele, Reyer: 'I'm definitely grateful to be out here'

Umana Reyer Venice has been battling injuries since the start of the season. The team is 2-3 in Group B and plays four of its next five games on the road. Its main pillar this far has been center Mfiondu Kabengele, who leads the 2024-25 EuroCup in rebounding with 10.2 per game and already has three double-doubles this season. He is also posting 13.6 points on 63.6% two-point shooting and 1.6 assists for a PIR of 22.0, which is fourth overall in the competition.

Kabengele's uncle was the late African basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo, who passed away recently. In this week's [EuroCupBasketball.com](http://EuroCupBasketball.com) interview with Javier Gancedo, Kabengele spoke about architecture, food, basketball and how to turn injuries into something positive for the team.

"I'm excited for other guys to really shine and perform because we are going to need it," Kabengele said. "I feel like every team is scouted, our top guys, and this is a good opportunity for other guys to step up, open the game for everybody."

**Congratulations on beating Hamburg. A great first half paved the way to the win. What allowed you to overcome injuries and get that important win?**

"Thanks. It was just a team effort. Guys had to step up and sacrifice even more. Sometimes it's not just about guys having to shoot more or do more. Some guys have to do less than what they are accustomed to because of the new guys coming in and their playing style. So I feel like guys did a good job of just being adaptable, adjusting to the injuries and just staying the course. Guys recognized we were not at full strength, so it's good to see the fight in some of the guys during the game."

"My favorite part [of Venice], other than the food, is definitely the architecture, seeing how the city is built on water"

**Rodney McGruder joined the backcourt and had a great game. How can he help you right away, given your injury circumstances?**

"Another ball handler. Another great defender, that's probably one of the main things. We have Tyler \[Ennis\] and JP \[Jordan Parks\], who are also great leaders on this team. Both are great defenders and Rodney can fill that role. He is a great on-ball defender and a good ball screen defender, as well as making good reads in the pick-and-roll. So obviously his shot is a given, but the things that I'm looking forward to that can help other guys the most is his ability to read ball screens, make plays off the dribble, and obviously, get defensive stops."

**This is your second season in Reyer. How do you like playing for such a historic team and the privilege of living near Venice?**

"It's been great! My agent at the time, when I was coming from Greece, we were looking at potential teams and I didn't know much about Reyer. I knew about Venice, but I didn't know much about the team, and he just told me about the coaching staff, the players there, and it sounded too good to be true. And now that I came here, I'm seeing it. Great coaching staff, great players, the city is fantastic, the fans are great, so I'm definitely grateful to be out here."

**Have you been to the old arena \[Misericordia di Venezia\]?**

"Yeah! We went there! We did a video promo there for our introduction for the games, and they had some pictures of what it looked like before. It's a museum now, so it was nice to see that. And just to visualize how players would get to the games and stuff, that was cool."

Umana Reyer Venice center Mfiondu Kabengle leads the 2024-25 EuroCup in rebounds at 10.2 per game. He is also averaging 13.6 points on 63.6% two-point shooting, 1.6 rebounds and a PIR of 22.0, ranking fourth overall.

2024-25 highlights: Mfioundu Kabengele, Reyer

**We mentioned Venice. Have you seen every corner already and tried the amazing local food?**

"For sure, the city is great. My favorite part, other than the food, is definitely the architecture, seeing how the city is built on water. I read about the way it was built. They put these stakes into the ground and packed it with mud and dirt to keep it solid. And then through that, it insulated it from the water from eroding. It's just high-tech architecture. And then obviously the food is amazing. Pasta, the seafood... so it's really, really, really nice. I really enjoy it."

**Back to basketball. You lead the EuroCup in rebounds and already have three double-doubles in five EuroCup games. You grabbed 21 in an Italian League game, too. What makes you such a great rebounder?**

"I would just say energy and heart. I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, be like, 'I watch all the film and see how guys shoot'. I just try to position myself and give myself a chance. It's all about giving myself a chance. If you stay in shape, you've got a chance to have energy in the fourth quarter. If you work on your jump shot, you will be able to make shots when you are tired. If you go hard in practice, you will be able to perform in games. You will always have a chance when you do certain things. So I feel like if I continue, if I keep working out, making sure I'm in shape, strong, mobile... I feel like all those things give me a chance, the best chance when the shot goes up. And obviously, the God-given abilities, my arm length, the motor, my heart, my size, those things definitely help a lot. So I feel like the accumulation of all those things is why I'm rebounding the way I am."

"The EuroCup does a good job of reminding me and others if I am who I say I am"

**This is your second EuroCup season. What do you like the most about it?**

"It's great. A lot of great imports, great domestic players. It's nice to get out of Italy sometimes and see other countries, see their fans and players and some things along the way. I have met players who I played against previously, and you get to ask them how their time is there in this city and this town and with this team, and you get their perspective and stuff like that. So it's really great. And the competition, I would say there's definitely more guys of my size and strength, so it's good. It's good to see where I stand sometimes... how I size up with these guys because sometimes you can get lost and think too much of yourself until you meet the real deal. And the EuroCup does a good job of reminding me and others if I am who I say I am, so it's been cool.

**You will play four of the next five games on the road. How much of a test is that for Reyer, and how good can it be for the team's chemistry if this tour is successful?**  

"It will be great. It will be a lot of confidence for the other guys because I know for a fact when all the other guys come back, it will be an adjustment period for all of us, and it's going to be important for guys to have those moments of confidence, those moments of production to reassure themselves when their name is called again and they get back to the flow of things, that they still have that ability. So I'm excited for other guys to really shine and perform because we are going to need it. I feel like every team is scouting our top guys and this is a good opportunity for other guys to step up, open the game for everybody. So I'm excited to see where these guys come from."

**You seem to be very comfortable playing for Coach Neven Spahija, one of the best EuroCup coaches of aall time What's the best thing about him as a coach?**

"He's cool, just always challenging guys, always making sure to bring guys back to the team concept. Every guy has high aspirations for themselves and for others and Coach does a good job of trying to bring it back to the team. So that's the one thing I really appreciate about him because sometimes you can get lost, even myself, I can get lost in my own success and think big of myself. But Coach does a good job of bringing me back and just telling me 'you know, this is all about us, us, us'. And that just relieves the pressure, the stress. He does a really good job of bringing everybody back to the team concept."

**Finally, you will face U-BT Cluj-Napoca in front of 10,000 fans next week. As a competitor, how do you like strong atmospheres like this? Does it make you play even better?**

"I always like those kinds of things because I always learn something new about myself and others. In practices, you can perform but there's no one there. But in road games, are you still able to make the same read or still have the same effort? Are you still to hit the same shots? So it's going to be very revealing. We are going to step up or fold, myself included. I'm excited to see what the game reveals about ourselves."

The EuroCup's top rebounder sat down for a one-on-one interview with Javier Gancedo