Cedevita Olimpija hosts Bahčešehir in EuroCup matchup

Cedevita Olimpija’s basketball players face an important EuroCup clash on Tuesday at 7:00 PM. In Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup regular season, the Dragons will host Bahçeşehir from Istanbul at Arena Stožice – the team that eliminated the squad coached by head coach Zvezdan Mitrović from the fight for the top places in the competition last season. Tickets for the game are available at vstopnice.olimpija.com.

One of the key games in the battle for the top positions in Group A of the BKT EuroCup lies ahead for Cedevita Olimpija’s senior team. On Tuesday at 7:00 PM, the Ljubljana side will host Turkey’s Bahçeşehir at Arena Stožice – a team that, after 12 games played in the regular season, has the same number of wins (8) as the squad led by head coach Zvezdan Mitrović. At the same time, it is the team that handed the Dragons their first loss of the current regular season and eliminated them from the playoffs in the 2024/25 competition season.

Motivation will certainly not be lacking for the Slovenian champions, as they remain locked in a fierce and balanced battle for the top positions in their group standings. Ahead of Cedevita Olimpija and Bahçeşehir is Hapoel Jerusalem, which currently stands at ten wins, while Cluj, with seven wins, is breathing down the necks of both teams.

On the regional stage, Cedevita Olimpija recorded a win over Spartak on Saturday. Combined with the fact that Budućnost did not take to the court in this round, the Dragons climbed back to the top of Group B and currently stand at ten wins. The victory against the Subotica-based team marked a decisive step toward securing a place among the top eight teams in the competition. Last weekend, Dubai, Partizan, and Cluj – all competing in Group A during the first phase of the season – had already secured their spots.

Cedevita Olimpija will continue the season without William McNair Jr., whose two-month contract with the Ljubljana club has expired. McNair appeared in ten games for the Dragons – averaging 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in the EuroCup, and 6.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in the ABA League. The Ljubljana club thanks William for his professionalism during the period he wore the Dragons’ jersey and wishes him the best of luck in the continuation of his career.

Some concern entered the ranks of Cedevita Olimpija toward the end of Saturday’s game against Spartak, when Thomas Kennedy was forced to leave the game early after receiving a blow to the knee. However, Kennedy trained normally with the rest of the team on Sunday and Monday. Rok Radović also rejoined team practices, having last taken the court in the Cup game against Ilirija at Hala Tivoli. The recovery of Ognjen Jaramaz and Cameron Houindo is progressing according to plan.

To avoid congestion in the Stožice garage, all spectators are advised to arrive at the game in good time – at least 45 minutes earlier than usual – and to use public transportation. With a valid game ticket, fans can use Ljubljana Public Transport buses free of charge for three hours before the game and three hours after its conclusion.

If you are attending the game by car, please park at the parking areas near Stožice (Žale I, Žale II, Žale III, Žale IV, Žale V, Kranjčeva, and Gosarjeva). The garage next to Arena Stožice will be open only until the limited number of parking spaces is filled.

TICKETS:

Tickets for the game are available at vstopnice.olimpija.com, Eventim Slovenia, and at all Petrol gas stations across Slovenia.

The ticket office in front of the arena and the arena doors will open from 6:00 PM onward. Once again, the NLB “Fast Entry” will be open, allowing faster access to the arena for visitors who present an NLB bank card before entering.

GAME DAY ACTIVITIES:

While the action on the court will tip off at 7:00 PM, the fan zone will open already at 6:00 PM – and this time the activities will be especially diverse, as the fan zone will be the largest of the season! A true basketball spectacle awaits – one you must not miss!

Before the game, a true fan hub will come to life in front of the arena. The fan zone will be filled with colors, music, and a basketball vibe, offering entertainment for all generations. Even before tip-off, the youngest fans will be able to enjoy free hot dogs and gather energy for all the activities that follow in the fan zone and inside the arena. Free hot dogs will be available at our basket.

The youngest visitors will be welcomed at our basket, where they can take their first basketball steps, color drawings, and receive a diploma for attending their first game. Fans of all ages will be able to create fan banners on large A3 sheets and support the team from the stands.

Luck will be spinning at the SPAR Wheel of Fortune, offering numerous prizes, while Pleško Cars / Renault will provide a true attraction with electric cars and a racing track. Their stand will also feature a top main prize – a weekend with a selected Renault vehicle (R4 or R5). The fan atmosphere will be further enriched by stands from Heka, Cedevita, Score or Not, and Sole Clinic, full of fun challenges and prizes. Additional energy will be brought by face painting. For plenty of laughs and photo opportunities, mascots Oli, Heki, and Kuža Pazi will be present at the heart of the action throughout the event.

The fun won’t stop during the game either!

Between the first and second quarters, Heka’s prize game for a signed jersey will take place, followed by a Bunker Barbers giveaway at the first timeout of the second quarter. At halftime, fans will be brought to their feet by Cedevita’s prize game, the Triglav half-court shot, and the Score or Not competition, while the first timeout of the third quarter will feature the SPAR free-throw contest.

Come early, stay longer, and experience more! This won’t just be a game – it will be a true Cedevita Olimpija fan experience.

TV BROADCAST:

The television broadcast of the Round 13 BKT EuroCup game against Bahçeşehir will be available on Šport TV 1. The studio coverage will begin at 6:15 PM.

PRE-GAME STATEMENTS:

“Bahçeşehir is, as I’ve been saying since the beginning of the season, along with Beşiktaş and Hapoel, one of the three best teams in the EuroCup – both in terms of budget and roster. Compared to our first head-to-head game, our opponents have further strengthened their squad. This is a team that actively competes for a place in the EuroLeague in every aspect. They had a slight results crisis, but that is behind them, which is evident from their recent results. They have great depth – when we look at who we need to pay special attention to, it is an undeniable fact that all of their players are capable of scoring. A demanding game awaits us, and when you’re facing a team like Bahçeşehir, our defensive play must operate at the highest possible level,” said Cedevita Olimpija head coach Zvezdan Mitrović ahead of the clash.

“An extremely demanding game certainly awaits us, and we are preparing for it with full commitment. We failed to record a win in the first head-to-head game. In our analysis, we looked at the things we did less well in Istanbul, and we will try to correct them in Tuesday’s game. Above all, we need to play with energy, and we hope the fans at Stožice will help us as well,” said Dragons power forward David Škara ahead of Tuesday’s game.

GAME PREVIEW:

One of the key games in the battle for the top positions in Group A of the BKT EuroCup awaits Cedevita Olimpija’s senior team. On Tuesday at 7:00 PM, the Ljubljana side will host Turkey’s Bahçeşehir at Arena Stožice – a direct rival in the fight for the top of the group, as both teams have recorded eight wins after 12 games played. This is a matchup that could significantly impact the outcome of the regular season and the balance of power heading into the playoffs.

The Turkish team holds special significance for the Dragons. Bahçeşehir is the team that handed Cedevita Olimpija their first loss of the current BKT EuroCup regular season and eliminated the Ljubljana side from the playoffs in the 2024/25 competition season. For that very reason, this matchup will be charged with extra emotion and a strong desire to prove themselves, as the players coached by Zvezdan Mitrović will be seeking sporting revenge in front of their home fans.

Motivation will certainly not be lacking for the Slovenian champions. Group A remains extremely balanced, and the battle for the top positions is fierce and unpredictable. Hapoel Jerusalem currently sits atop the standings with ten wins, while Cedevita Olimpija and Bahçeşehir share second place. Cluj is lurking just behind them with seven wins and remains a serious contender for a push toward the top. Every victory at this stage of the season therefore carries immense weight.

Tuesday’s game at Stožice will thus not be just another European challenge, but a true group derby, where energy, focus in key moments, and support from the stands will be decisive. In front of their home crowd, Cedevita Olimpija will be looking for an important step toward the top and to solidify their position among the best teams in the BKT EuroCup.

Recently, Bahçeşehir’s EuroCup form has been inconsistent. The Istanbul-based team opened the season with five consecutive wins, then won only three of their next seven games, most recently last week at home against Hamburg, when the scoreboard showed 105–68 in favor of the “Red Dragons.” Sharpshooter Malachi Flynn starred with 17 points, adding seven assists and three steals. Caleb Homesley also scored 17 points, with Hunter Hale following with 16. Over the past week, Bahçeşehir further strengthened their roster – Jordan Ford, who began the season in Italy with Trapani Shark, will don the Istanbul club’s jersey.

Flynn is averaging 18.2 points per game this season, along with 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds, placing him among the most efficient players in the EuroCup. Just behind him on the efficiency rankings is Cedevita Olimpija point guard Aleksej Nikolić, who averages 16.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game. In terms of scoring, Bahçeşehir ranks among the top five teams in the EuroCup, averaging 90.7 points per game. They are particularly dangerous on the boards, as they are the league’s best rebounding team with 39.3 rebounds per game, excelling especially in offensive rebounding with 13.8 per game. The Turkish team also excels defensively, being the best team in steals in the competition, averaging 8.7 steals per game.

In the Turkish domestic league standings, Bahçeşehir is also positioned very high, with 11 wins and only three losses in 14 games, trailing only Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe. In their most recent game, they convincingly defeated Petkim 100–60. The newest addition to the team, Jordan Ford, scored 12 points, while Flynn was the top scorer in a Bahçeşehir jersey with 22 points.

Last week, Cedevita Olimpija recorded a win in a heated road game in Thessaloniki, defeating Aris in a sold-out Nick Galis Hall and snapping a two-game losing streak in the EuroCup. After an intense opening on both sides, the Dragons shifted into a higher gear in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 13-point lead. In the third period, the Ljubljana side tightened up defensively, quickly extended the lead to 20 points, and the final score read 89–60 in favor of Cedevita Olimpija. The top scorer in green and orange was Aleksej Nikolić with 23 points, while Umoja Gibson added 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. DJ Stewart scored 11 points.

The first head-to-head game between Cedevita Olimpija and Bahçeşehir was largely decided in the opening quarter, which the hosts in Istanbul won by 13 points (27–14). Although the Dragons played better in the remainder of the game and fought until the final seconds, the win ultimately stayed in Istanbul (76–92). Aleksej Nikolić and David Škara scored 14 points each, Umoja Gibson added 13, and DJ Stewart contributed 12.

BKT EUROCUP, REGULAR SEASON, ROUND 13

Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Tuesday, January 6, 7:00 PM:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – BAHÇEŞEHİR COLLEGE ISTANBUL (ticket purchase; TV broadcast on Šport TV 1)

STANDINGS

LOOKING AHEAD:

For the Dragons, this will be the second of two consecutive home games to open the new calendar year 2026. Cedevita Olimpija will then face two straight road games – at the weekend in Vienna against Vienna, and then in Klaipėda, where they will face Neptūnas next Tuesday. The Dragons will return to the Stožice home court the following weekend, when Budućnost VOLI from Podgorica visits Ljubljana.