Fenerbahce host Anadolu Efes over on the Asian side of Istanbul on Thursday as last season’s EuroLeague runners up look to get back to winning ways after three straight losses.
Still without Bogdan Bogdanovic, Fenerbahce have a 1-3 record without him so far so his influence is sorely missed. Anadolu Efes make the short hop along the Bosphorus knowing that this would be their best chance of getting a result from the Ulker Sports Arena. But it isn’t going to be easy.
“We will play against a great team who lost their last three games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and they will be prepared and motivated for this game,” said Anadolu coach Velimir Perasovic.
“They have a great coach like Obradovic who prepares the team for the game very well. They are a tough team with a lot of experienced players.”
Anadolu Efes is currently 3-4 and still searching for its first win over Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague since its beginning in 2000. Fenerbahce are 6-0.
∞∞∞ TWO FIRST TIME BATTLES IN THE EUROLEAGUE ∞∞∞
Unics Kazan host Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv on Thursday in a first ever EuroLeague meeting between the two sides.
It is a chance for Unics to bounce back from Tuesday’s narrow defeat to Anadolu Efes but on the flip side, Maccabi have the opportunity to build on their impressive showing against Fenerbahce in Tel Aviv.
“Certain parts of the last game were closer to what we’re hoping to achieve, but that doesn’t give us anything if we don’t follow it up,” said Maccabi coach Rami Hadar. “I can’t complain about the number of games because I affects all teams. When it rains, everyone gets wet. I hope to have as many players healthy as possible.”
Meanwhile in Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda hosts EA7 Milano for the first time ever at the Kombank Arena as they aim to turn Tuesday’s last gasp win at Brose Baskets into a winning streak.
But EA7 Milano, currently mid-table won their last game as well, beating Baskonia in an impressive showing. But the Italian giants will be playing one of the toughest defensive teams in the EuroLeague at one of the most daunting venues to play in.
“We are going to play against the best defensive team in the EuroLeague and in a very difficult environment,” Milano coach Jasmin Repesa said. “We need to be mentally strong and with great focus for the entire game. It we do that we have a great chance of winning the game. Otherwise it’s gonna be extremely hard.”
∞∞∞ TWO TEAMS LOOK TO GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS ∞∞∞
Baskonia looks to snap a two-game mini losing streak in all competitions when they play host to Brose Baskets, who are still reeling from their agonising one-point loss to Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday.
And the Liga Endesa side has history on their side, as they own a 5-1 record over the German side in the EuroLeague.
