Thursday, October 23
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne vs. Dubai Basketball (19:30 CEST)

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Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv vs. AS Monaco (20:05 CEST)

Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel head coach

“We’re playing against a team that has established itself as a EuroLeague contender, with the Final Four appearance just last season. This is a team built to go all the way – to win championships. They have an excellent roster with experienced players, and they play a high-quality brand of basketball. Our task will be very challenging, but we are eager and highly motivated to face it.”

FC Barcelona vs. Zalgiris Kaunas (20:30 CEST)

Joan Penarroya, Barcelona head coach

“Zalgiris has made an important change, being more ambitious, and that is reflected on its budget, bringing in important players while being able to keep a player like Francisco, which was wanted by many teams. Williams-Goss, Maodo Lo and Wright arrived to the team, which added to what they had already, they turned the team into one with higher level than in previous seasons. They are playing very good basketball. It is true that last week, with the EuroLeague’s double round, they lost both games but they had won the previous three. The Williams-Goss-Francisco duo is very important for them because of what they generate, both for the team and for them as an individual level. They help each other really well on defense and with these two players, they have the ability to run the floor really well. Our roster is what it is and with Juan [Nunez] out long term, we have fewer players. I am taking playing time into account because it is a long season but the two players that play the most are on the floor for 24 minutes on average, in all competitions. Unless I am mistaken, Toko [Shengelia] and Will [Clyburn] play 24.3 minutes on average. All EuroLeague teams have players averaging that playing time or more. So far, we are doing well in that sense but we are worried about our injuries in such a long competition as this is. Zalgiris is a solid project, basketball is the number one sport in Lithuania and since they opened Zalgirio Arena, they are finding more financial resources. It is a solid project and it is incredible to play there, with that incredible support. Like I said, it is obvious that they took a step forward, financially speaking, to good players and add new ones. It is a deep, well-built team that is doing things well. The EuroLeague is fantastic, with great playing level and many teams able to win anybody.”

Juani Marcos, Barcelona guard

“We knew the type of team Zalgiris is. They started the season with three consecutive wins and now had back-to-back losses, but they still are an intense, physical team with great players. They have been playing really well and we have to be ready, because we know how tough our opponent is. We have important absences [Laprovittola, Brizuela], backcourt players that give a lot to the team due to their talent and experience. It is on me to step up on their absences, so I will try to give my best and take more responsibilities, which is something that it is good for me in order to gain confidence and see more playing time in such a long season. What has surprised me the most about the EuroLeague is its playing level. This season, any team which anywhere against any opponent, it is being a very competitive league. We go against high-level teams with high-level players and great physical, tactical and technical preparation. This is one of the highest basketball levels in the world, and the best in Europe.”

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Valencia Basket (20:30 CEST)

Ettore Messina, Milan head coach

“We face a team that likes to keep the tempo as high as possible, a high scoring team because of their offensive organization. A balanced offense and transition defense will be the pillars we have to build the game over. We will have the chance to add one player because Nate Sestina will try to help us win the game, despite being able to practice with the team only twice.”

Devin Booker, Milan center

“They are a talented team that goes up and down the court. They really like to run the floor, so we will have to face them by using all the energy we can find, trusting ourselves for 40 minutes.”

Pedro Martinez, Valencia head coach

“[Monaco is] a good team, defensively they are very strong. They have a very solid defense, they play at a slightly different pace to us, but with smart players, a very well-trained team. One of the toughest we can face right now. Obviously, I’m happier on the days we win and less happy on the days we don’t, but I think the team is continuing to perform well. Now we have to get [Jean] Montero involved in the game. He practically didn’t do any preseason training, then when he came back from his national team, he trained for five days and had to have surgery. Today he had his third training session since he came back, so that’s what we’re focused on, getting these players who have been out involved. Then we’ll do the same with Yankuba [Sima] later on, and obviously all these things are incidents that slow us down as a team. They also change the players’ roles, because you get used to playing without a player, but then you know we’re going to need him. That means you have to make decisions that affect the whole group. We try to take it calmly and naturally, but obviously these are not easy situations.”

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (21:00 CEST)

Sasa Obradovic, Crvena Zvezda head coach

“They have quality, speed, a style of play that doesn’t suit Zvezda, so… Teams like them – like, for example, the game against Paris during the preseason – show that there are certain difficulties when facing that kind of defense. In that sense, it’s important that we stay focused for the full 40 minutes – no letting up. They won’t stray from their style, they play very fast, and they have a lot of athleticism at every position. It’s important that we focus on ourselves and keep the hype surrounding the court under control. That’s not easy. There are always different approaches from the coach’s side as well. Still, losing is not an option here. And the only way to handle it is to start thinking like an underdog. We have to respect the opponent more than usual, no matter what their name is.”

Semi Ojeleye, Crvena Zvezda forward

“We have to play defense. We have to bring energy. They are very talented. They want to play fast. If we manage to follow through on that, we have a chance to win. I mean, they changed some players in the team. Of course, they have Marcus and the rest of the crew. They can change the course of the game. They always play very well. They jump very well. So we have to take away their easy points and make them work for every basket.”

Friday, October 24
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (19:30 CEST)

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Virtus Bologna vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (20:00 CEST)

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Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Paris Basketball (20:30 CEST)

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FC Bayern Munich vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (20:45 CEST)

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