May 26, 2013
Regular Season Game 3 - November 06, 2008 CET: 20:30 Local time: 20:30 - TIVOLI ARENA
Union Olimpija 67 - 78 Lottomatica Roma

Records

Ave.   Ave.
0-0 Final Four 0-0
0-0 Playoffs 0-0
0-0 Top 16 0-0
0-2 Regular Season 1-1
0-2 Overall 1-1

Referees

Crew Chief
JUNGEBRAND, CARL, Finland
Referee
CMIKIEWICZ, MAREK, Poland
Umpire
MIKHAYLOV, SERGEY, Russia

Team Stats

Ave.   Ave.
77.0 Points 74.0
35.0 Rebounds 31.0
14.5 O. Rebounds 10.0
20.5 D. Rebounds 21.0
11.0 Assists 12.0
5.5 Steals 6.0
3.0 Blocks 1.5
17.0 Turnovers 14.5
47.5 % 2PT 48.1 %
42.1 % 3PT 48.6 %
63.8 % FT 80.8 %
70.5 Index 70.0
Team Stats - Union Olimpija
Team Stats - Lottomatica Roma

Player Stats

Ave.   Ave.
16.0 / Begic Points 11.0 / BECIROVIC, SANI
7.0 / Begic Rebounds 7.5 / HUTSON, ANDRE
4.5 / Begic OR 3.5 / BREZEC, PRIMOZ
4.0 / KLOBUCAR, JAKA DR 5.5 / HUTSON, ANDRE
2.5 / Ilievski Assists 3.5 / BECIROVIC, SANI
1.5 / KLOBUCAR, JAKA Steals 1.5 / GIGLI, ANGELO
3.0 / Begic Blocks 1.0 / GIGLI, ANGELO
3.5 / KLOBUCAR, JAKA Turnovers 3.0 / BECIROVIC, SANI
65.0 % / Begic 2PT 75.0 % / GIGLI, ANGELO
75.0 % / WALLACE, JONATHAN 3PT 100.0 % / BECIROVIC, SANI
100.0 % / OZBOLT, SASO FT 100.0 % / BREZEC, PRIMOZ
22.5 / Begic Index 15.0 / HUTSON, ANDRE
Team Roster - Union Olimpija
Team Roster - Lottomatica Roma

THE TAKE

A pivotal game in Group C is scheduled in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where Union Olimpija hosts Lottomatica Roma on Thursday evening. Olimpija is still looking for its first win of the season, while Lottomatica hopes to keep its momentum going and improve to 2-1 in the Group D standings. It will be a special game for Sani Becirovic and Primoz Brezec, who played for Olimpija and won multiple Slovenian championships early in their careers. Becirovic leads a strong Lottomatica backcourt that also features guards Ibby Jaaber, Allan Ray and Brandon Jennings. Olimpija parted ways with JaJuan Smith days before the game, so its rotation will stay as it was. As such, Vlado Ilievski will be Olimpija's starting point guard with Jonathan Wallace coming off the bench. A fully recovered Saso Ozbolt has become the team's top backcourt threat, with do-it-all swingman Jaka Klobucar and newcomer Frank Robinson ready to step on court and contribute. Olimpija is still missing Jasmin Hukic, so Damjan Rudez and Klobucar will share the small forward duties. Lottomatica is quite deep at that position, with players like Roberto Gabini and experienced defensive ace Rodrigo De La Fuente ready to face Rudez and Klobucar. Of course, Marko Milic will be Olimpija's main reference due to his intensity, strength and athleticism. He leads an interesting frontcourt that also features power forward Miha Zupan, rebounding ace Vladimir Golubovic and 2.20-meter center Mirza Begic, who has averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds in two Euroleague games. Brezec will have a strong test against Begic and Golubovic, while Andre Hutson will test his post moves and determination against Milic. Sharp shooter Alessandro Tonolli and center Angelo Gigli will come off the bench ready to help Lottomatica. Olimpija needs to play the way it did in the fourth quarter against Tau Ceramica last week - intense, accurate and with an outstanding Milic contributing at both ends. Lottomatica will try to play its brand of basketball, with quick transitions, high post pick-and-rolls and trying to get its shooters involved. It comes as no surprise that Lottomatica ranks second in three-point accuracy (48.6%) in the Euroleague this season. Above all, Olimpija will see its Top 16 chances severely reduced with a loss, so expect an intense, interesting game in Tivoli Hall on Thursday.

GAME QUOTES

Union Olimpija
  • Guard Vlado Ilievski enters this week’s game against Lottomatica Roma needing 17 more points to reach 1,000 for his Euroleague career.
  • Ilievski spent a season-and-a-half playing for his next opponent, Lottomatica Roma. He played there for the 2005-06 season and for the first half of the following season
  • Small forward Frank Robinson is eligible to make his Euroleague debut on Thursday against Lottomatica Roma.
  • In his first two appearances of the season, center Mirza Begic has matched his total points scored (32) from nine games last season. Begic has dramatically improved his production this season and has been one of the brightest surprises of the young season.
Lottomatica Roma
  • Guard Sani Becirovic enters his team’s Week3 game needing 4 more three-pointers to reach 100 for his Euroleague career.
  • Becirovic began his Euroleague career with his Week 3 opponent, Union Olimpija. Becirovic played for Olimpija between 1999 and 2001, helping the club win one Slovenian championship and two Slovenian Cups.
  • Center Primoz Brezec played for Olimpija between 1998 and 2001, helping the club win two Slovenian championships and three Slovenian Cups. Brezec and Becirovic were teammates for two of those seasons.
  • Small forward Rodrigo de la Fuente was a teammate of current Union Olimpija point guard Vlado Ilievski for two seasons in Barcelona. They won the 2004 Spanish League championship together.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Euroleague.net

Quotes Head Coaches

DZIKIC, ALEKSANDAR
Union Olimpija
"We are well aware that the game against Lottomatica will be the first key for our Top 16 aspirations. We have to cool down our minds after two straight losses in the last seconds against Tau Ceramica last week, and in the Adriatic League against Split, to start a winning streak. We know that Lottomatica has quality players who can decide the game at any given moment. But we also have good players who need an important win to start believing in themselves. I am sure that fans will flock to the Tivoli Arena and that they will be our sixth player, as always. It would be great to thank them for their support with a win."
REPESA, JASMIN
Lottomatica Roma
"Union Olimpija is a very good team, they lost to Tau Ceramica and now they want to win. Furthermore, they play at home and it is not an easy court. We must stay focused for the entire 40 minutes and do better than we did in the previous games. We lost a great chance in Berlin, and to win in Ljubljana would be great."

Players

ILIEVSKI, VLADO
Union Olimpija
"If we lose against Lottomatica, our position in Group C won't be very pleasant. We know that we need this win more than anything. Not only to keep fighting for a Top 16 berth, but to show ourselves and the fans that support us that we have enough quality to be with the top teams in Europe. The team from Rome has changed a lot since last season. I think they are way better, but a game in Tivoli is easy for nobody. I think this game will be the turning point for us this season."
TONOLLI, ALESSANDRO
Lottomatica Roma
"We started well our season, with 5 victories, but we lost the first Euroleague game in Berlin. We won at home with Joventut, and now we need to win in Ljubljana. But it is not easy. They play at home and we will play without Gigi Datome, injured. Luckily we have a deep bench and we will do our best."
Sani Becirovic - Lottomatica Roma Sani Becirovic turned in a masterful performance against his former team to lead Lottomatica Roma to a 67-78 road win at Union Olimpija in Ljubljana on Thursday night. Becirovic recorded 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in just 25 minutes to help Roma to its second win this season – and first on the road. Head coach Jasmin Repesa’s side now boasts a 2-1 record and trails Group C leader Tau Ceramica by one win before heading to Spain for a duel next week. Meanwhile Olimpija dropped to 0-3 and will hunt for its first win in Istanbul next week against Fenerbahce Ulker. The game was close for most of the opening period, but Roma began to pull away shortly after that. The visitors scored the first 7 points of the second period to take a double-digit lead and strong minutes by Brandon Jennings and Rodrigo de la Fuente stretched the lead to 18 before settling at 28-44 by halftime. Olimpija did make a number of second-half runs, with Mirza Begic, Marko Milic and Jonathan Wallace all trying to spark the hosts, but they never got closer than 8. Jennings added 14 in his best showing of the season, while de la Fuente recorded 10 points and 9 rebounds and Primoz Brezec, also a former Olimpija star, scored 10. Begic led the hosts with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Milic had 14 points and 7 boards and Vlado Ilievski scored 13 in defeat.

Damjan Rudez fired in a three to start the scoring before Brezec answered with Roma’s first points. Olimpija’s big men Begic and Miha Zupan were quite active on the glass, but Brezec’s second score kept the game tied. Becirovic gave Roma its first lead from the line, but that would change on nearly every possession as Ilievski and Ibby Jaaber traded baskets. The visitors looked to make their move on a Becirovic triple that put Roma up 4. A pair of de la Fuente free throws made it 12-18 before Frank Robinson’s first Euroleague points and a Vladimir Golubovic basket drew Olimpija closer. Becirovic added a free throw to make it 16-19 after 10 minutes.

Mirza Begic - Union Olimpija Roma continued its momentum as the second quarter began, reeling off the next 7 points on Angelo Gigli free throws, an Andre Hutson three-point play and a coast-to-coast layup by Jennings for a 10-point lead. Milic interrupted the run, but Jennings scored again and de la Fuente added a triple to make it 18-31. Baskets by Robinson and Milic were matched by de la Fuente and Becirovic as the visitors took charge. Jennings was then fouled shooting a three and made the 3 resulting free throws. Allan Ray followed with a triple to make it 24-42. Begic and Becirovic both hit from the line before Ilievski ended the half with his team down 28-44.

A pair of Begic slam dunks in the opening minutes of the second half showed that Olimpija still had spirit, but the hosts were unable to slow down the Roma attack. But as soon as the visitors stuttered, Olimpija made its charge as Milic and Ilievski inspired an 8-0 run that made it 40-48. But the Roman backcourt wouldn’t let Olimpija any closer. Becirovic and Jennings combined for 12 points in the next four minutes to hold of Olimpija, which was generating plenty of offense of its own thanks to Milic and Ilievski. But after an Ilievski triple made it 51-60, Jennings converted a layup-plus-foul and Ray added a layup to make it 51-65 with one period remaining.

Ray opened the fourth quarter with a three that put Roma up by 17. That didn’t deter Wallace who answered with a triple and a jumper to bring the gap down to 11. De la Fuente and Hutson scored to keep Roma up by double figures and time was running out for the hosts. Wallace persisted, but Becirovic’s layup made it 61-75 and just about sealed the win with less than three minutes to play. Baskets by Begic and Saso Ozbolt only helped to trim the deficit before Becirovic capped a strong showing with 2 more free throws for a well-deserved win.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Euroleague.net
Referees: JUNGEBRAND, CARL (FIN), CMIKIEWICZ, MAREK (POL), MIKHAYLOV, SERGEY (RUS)
Attendance: 5100
By Quarter1234
Union Olimpija16122316
Lottomatica Roma19252113
End of Quarter1234
Union Olimpija16285167
Lottomatica Roma19446578
Head coach: DZIKIC, ALEKSANDAR
Union Olimpija
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
 3FG
M-A
 FT
M-A
 Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
5 WALLACE, JONATHAN 20:30 7 2/3 1/4     1 1 2       1 2 1 4
6 ILIEVSKI, VLADO 37:03 13 2/7 2/7 3/4   3 3 1 1 6     5 4  
8 KLOBUCAR, JAKA 6:31   0/1 0/1     1 1     1         -2
9 RUDEZ, DAMJAN 24:16 5 1/2 1/2     3 3 1   4     4   -1
12 MILIC, MARKO 25:55 14 4/13   6/7 3 4 7 4 1     1 3 7 19
13 HUKIC, JASMIN DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
14 ROBINSON, FRANK 12:43 4 2/2   0/3 1 1 2     2     1 2 2
15 BEGIC, MIRZA 34:37 16 6/9   4/6 3 5 8   1 1 2   2 5 24
16 SARAJLIJA, MIRZA DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
21 GOLUBOVIC, VLADIMIR 5:23 4 2/3       1 1           1   3
24 ZUPAN, MIHA 14:05 2 0/1 0/1 2/2 2 1 3 1         1 2 5
31 OZBOLT, SASO 18:57 2 1/1 0/3   1 2 3   2       4 1 1
Team                                
Totals 200:00 67 20/42 4/18 15/22 10 22 32 9 5 14 2 2 23 22 55
47.6% 22.2% 68.2%
Min: Minutes played; Pts: Points; 2FG M-A: 2-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); 3FG M-A: 3-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); FT M-A: Free Throws (Made-Attempted); Rebounds: O (Offensive), D (Defensive), T (Total); As: Assists; St: Steals; To: Turnovers; Bl: Blocks (Fv: In Favor / Ag: Against); Fouls: Cm (Commited), Rv (Received); PIR: Performance Index Rating
Head coach: REPESA, JASMIN
Lottomatica Roma
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
 3FG
M-A
 FT
M-A
 Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
5 GIACHETTI, JACOPO DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 GIGLI, ANGELO 15:33 2   0/1 2/2 1 2 3       2   1 2 7
7 BECIROVIC, SANI 24:45 23 2/4 3/5 10/12 4 3 7 6 1 2     2 6 33
8 TONOLLI, ALESSANDRO DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9 HUTSON, ANDRE 21:29 6 2/8   2/3   2 2   1 1     5 2 -2
11 JENNINGS, BRANDON 18:37 14 4/5 0/2 6/6   2 2 2   2     2 5 16
12 BREZEC, PRIMOZ 21:48 10 5/6   0/1 2 2 4     1     3 2 10
14 DE LA FUENTE, RODRIGO 34:41 10 1/2 2/4 2/2 1 8 9 3   1     1 3 20
15 RAY, ALLAN 20:34 9 1/6 2/5 1/2   1 1         1 1 1  
21 JAABER, IBRAHIM 21:23 4 2/4 0/1   1   1 1 1 1     2 2 3
22 GABINI, ROBERTO 21:10   0/1 0/4     2 2         1 5   -9
Team                                
Totals 200:00 78 17/36 7/22 23/28 9 22 31 12 3 8 2 2 22 23 78
47.2% 31.8% 82.1%
This game is not yet played

Head Coaches

DZIKIC, ALEKSANDAR
Union Olimpija
"Lottomatica Roma got a well-deserved win. It was the best team on the court for all 40 minutes. The second quarter was the key to the game, as they got a big lead that we could not overcome in the second half. We had a small chance to get back to the game in the third quarter, but we made too many mistakes in key moments. Lottomatica found a lot of easy shots and made them all."
REPESA, JASMIN
Lottomatica Roma
"It was a very important game for both teams. A loss was not an option for us, because we knew that would put us in a really difficult situation. We knew that Tivoli is always a tough arena to visit, but we came here well prepared. We played really well for all 40 minutes, not only physically, but mentally. We stayed strong and I am very satisfied with this win."

Players

BEGIC, MIRZA
Union Olimpija
"We wanted to get out first win tonight, but it was impossible to do it because Lottomatica played very well. They dominated all aspects of the game."
OZBOLT, SASO
Union Olimpija
"If we had the team that Lottomatica has, I am sure we would make it to the Final Four. We don't have to make a drama out of this loss. We have to bounce back and wait for better days to come."
BECIROVIC, SANI
Lottomatica Roma
"We got a well-deserved win tonight. We knew how to control the game rhythm all 40 minutes long and above all, we stopped their outside shooters. Union Olimpija has a lot of great shooters and if you leave them open, they can hurt any team."
BREZEC, PRIMOZ
Lottomatica Roma
"I believe that the first quarter was the key to this game. We managed to prevent Union Olimpija from making outside shots. We dominated the boards and played really well on offense. We just need to control the game from now on. I wish Olimpija all the best in the rest of the season."
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