Cedevita Olimpija to Host FMP Soccerbet in Round 16 of the AdmiralBet ABA League

The senior basketball team of Cedevita Olimpija will host FMP Soccerbet from Železnik on Sunday at 6:00 PM in Stožice as part of Round 16 of the regular season of the AdmiralBet ABA League. The team will aim to secure another crucial victory in the fight for playoff positions.

After a convincing win against Aris in the EuroCup on Wednesday, Cedevita Olimpija faces another significant challenge in the regional league. The upcoming match is equally important in their pursuit of a playoff spot. In the first round of the competition, FMP Soccerbet handed the Dragons a loss in Železnik.

Cedevita Olimpija currently holds one more win than FMP after 15 games. The Ljubljana team has secured eight victories, while the “Panthers” have seven. Both teams are just below the playoff positions, making this game even more critical for the Ljubljana squad. The Dragons have suffered only one loss in their last seven league games, whereas FMP has recently endured three consecutive defeats.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the game are available at vstopnice.olimpija.com, Eventim Slovenia, and the Petrol Ticket online platform. Tickets can also be purchased at all Petrol gas stations across Slovenia.

The ticket office and arena doors will open at 5:00 PM. The NLB “Fast Entry” lane will again be operational, allowing visitors with NLB bank cards to enter the arena more quickly.

As part of the Green Five initiative, all fans are encouraged to travel to the game on foot, by bicycle, scooter, or public transportation. Ticket holders can enjoy free rides on Ljubljana Public Transport buses three hours before and after the game.

TV BROADCAST

The game will be broadcast live on Arena Sport Slovenia 1 Premium and Kanal A. The pregame studio show on Kanal A starts at 5:40 PM, with the live game coverage beginning at 6:00 PM on Arena Sport.

FAN ZONE ACTIVITIES

The youngest fans can test their basketball skills with shooting and other activities, while even younger visitors can express their creativity with Dragon-themed coloring sheets. Renault Slovenia will organize activities with pedal cars.

The 6th Dragon corner will also be active. Fans can download the app and participate in creating the club’s image while entering an exciting prize game.

Triglav Insurance offers a special prize for a successful half-court shot, and the Heka Supplements prize game will also take place during the event.

PRE-GAME QUOTES

“I hope to see the same energy from the players on Sunday as we did against Aris. The motivation will be different, especially since FMP beat us in our first meeting. Our opponents have changed their roster and have many young players performing well without pressure. They showed excellent play against Budućnost. We need to approach the game with focus, understanding its importance, and maintain a serious and concentrated approach throughout,” said head coach Zvezdan Mitrović.

“We face a tough game against a team that defeated us in the first half of the season. Our opponents have changed their roster and coach compared to the start of the season. We are working to analyze their game and prepare as best as possible. With strong support from our fans, we hope to secure a win and continue our positive performances,” added Gregor Glas.

GAME PREVIEW

Cedevita Olimpija will face an opponent that dealt them a significant loss in Železnik earlier this season. Despite leading at halftime, the Dragons struggled in the second half, allowing FMP to secure a 75:62 victory. FMP’s Danilo Tasić, now a member of Cedevita Olimpija, scored 23 points in that game, while Devin Robinson led the Dragons with 18 points.

FMP has since undergone significant changes, including a new head coach, Petar Aleksić, replacing Sašo Nikitović. Key players, such as Danilo Tasić, Matic Rebec, and Jovan Novak, have departed. The team now features young talents with their first professional contracts, along with additions Joshua Scott and Luka Jovanović.

The Panthers, who started the season competing in the Basketball Champions League, have struggled recently, suffering four consecutive losses, including a 63:97 defeat to Crvena zvezda.

Cedevita Olimpija, on the other hand, is in excellent form, winning 11 of their last 13 games across all competitions. After a loss to Partizan Mozzart Bet in the ABA League and Turk Telekom in the EuroCup, the team bounced back with victories over Krka and Aris in Stožice.

ADMIRALBET ABA LEAGUE, ROUND 16

Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Sunday, January 12, 6:00 PM:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – FMP SOCCERBET (vstopnice.olimpija.com; live broadcast on Arena Sport 1 Premium and Kanal A)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

After Sunday’s game, the Dragons will embark on a challenging road trip to Bulgaria, Lithuania, Dubai, and France, facing Hapoel Jerusalem, Lietkabelis, Dubai Basketball, and JL Bourg.