EuroCup Returns to Tivoli Hall After Ten Years: A Spectacle Against Cluj Awaits the Dragons

On Tuesday at 18:30, the players of Cedevita Olimpija face a basketball spectacle of Round 15 of the EuroCup regular season against Romania’s Cluj, where we will turn the clock back to the 1990s. A true treat is in store, filled with nostalgia and the rhythms of music from that era, as the Dragons will … Continued

On Tuesday, Cedevita Olimpija will return to the Temple of Slovenian basketball, where they have been training since Sunday. Tivoli Hall hosts an important Round 15 BKT EuroCup clash against Cluj. In Group A, Cluj are breathing down the Dragons’ necks – Cedevita Olimpija currently stand on nine wins, level with Turkey’s Bahçeşehir, while the group of teams on eight wins includes Cluj, Umana Reyer, and BAXI Manresa. At the top of the table is Hapoel Jerusalem with 12 wins, already qualified for the Playoffs.

The game in Tivoli will be filled with nostalgia, as we turn back to the 1990s, when Tivoli Hall was the center of Slovenian basketball’s rise. Two hours before tip-off, fans will warm up together at the Summer Bar, and the Fan Zone – opening at 18:30 – will offer activities for all generations, from free hot dogs for the first 500 visitors to a photo wall for those arriving in retro fan gear.

A night not to be missed – both because of the pre-game and in-arena activities, and because of the action on the court. Cedevita Olimpija continues its battle for Playoff positions, so support from the stands will be crucial throughout the game.

Unfortunately, the Dragons will once again be without a full roster – DJ Stewart missed practice on Sunday and Monday after taking a hit in Saturday’s game against Budućnost VOLI.

To avoid congestion in Tivoli’s public parking areas, spectators are advised to arrive at least 60 minutes earlier than usual and use public transport. With a valid game ticket, you can ride Ljubljana public buses free of charge three hours before and three hours after the game.

Visitors may park in two lots in Tivoli Park: Tivoli I (access from Celovška Road opposite the Union Brewery) and Tivoli II (by turning right from Celovška Road). Additional public parking spaces are available around Tivoli Hall.

TICKETS

Tickets are available at vstopnice.olimpija.com, Eventim Slovenia, and all Petrol gas stations in Slovenia. The ticket office and arena doors open at 17:30.

GAME ACTIVITIES

The game will be a true return to the golden ’90s. Music from the decade will fill the arena, creating a retro atmosphere long before the opening tip.

Fans can also take part interactively. Before tip-off, you can vote for the game’s top scorer via QR codes on the LED screens. The winner will receive a signed cap, a symbol of retro fan style. During one of the breaks, a special 80th Anniversary Cedevita Olimpija T-shirt signed by the players will be raffled.

Fan creativity will be in the spotlight: at the photo wall by the West Stand entrance, supporters are encouraged to come dressed in 90s style or classic fan gear. The best photo will be selected via the 6.Zmaj app, and fans in retro outfits will also be photographed with a Polaroid camera and encouraged to post with @kkcedevitaolimpija and #90snight.

The first 500 visitors will receive a free hot dog before the game, available near the East Stand.

If a Cluj player misses two consecutive free throws, all ticket holders will receive a free portion of five ćevapčiči at the Čewapi restaurant on Cankarjeva Street in Ljubljana on Wednesday, 21 January, from 17:00 onwards.

Pancakes and special drink prices will also be available in the Summer Bar Tivoli before the game.

Former players from the 1990s will be honored courtside, adding emotional value and linking the club’s past, present, and future.

At halftime, the traditional Triglav Shot for €5,000 will take place, along with additional sponsor prize games.

Come in retro style and help us celebrate the legendary ’90s and 80 years of Cedevita Olimpija.

TV BROADCAST

The game will be broadcast live on Šport TV 1, with studio coverage starting at 17:45.

PRE-GAME STATEMENTS

“This is an extremely important game in the fight for a high position in the EuroCup standings. Opposite us stands the tricky Cluj team, which is very high-quality and possesses enormous offensive potential. Russell is the true leader of the team, and recently their best player has been Creek; at the same time, they have added several tall players to their roster. In terms of defensive play, this will be an extremely difficult game for us. We must be prepared for all the challenges on the court. We had a day or two to prepare. Sunday was mainly dedicated to recovery, and Monday to game preparation and analysis of the opponents. We want support from the stands, we want to see a full Tivoli. Help from the stands will be more than necessary,” said the Dragons’ head coach Zvezdan Mitrović after Monday’s practice when speaking to the media.

“A tough game awaits us; we expect a high tempo on the court. Against Cluj, which is an excellent offensive team, we will have to focus on our defensive play. We will need to control the flow of the game so that they don’t ‘explode’ with too many points scored. They will certainly score, even in runs, but at those moments we must be ready and play smart. I remember coming to Tivoli for EuroLeague games, and it is pleasing that the arena remains active, also in the ABA League. I expect the fans to respond and come to support us, as we will need their help, even when things might not be working in the best way. In this respect, we rely on our fans,” said Cedevita Olimpija point guard Aleksej Nikolić ahead of Tuesday’s game.

GAME PREVIEW

On Tuesday, the Dragons face a major challenge in Group A. Cluj arrive as the second-best offensive team in the competition, averaging 95.9 points per game, behind only Hapoel Jerusalem.

Among the top five scorers of the competition, Cluj have Mitchell Creek, Daron Russell, and Dušan Miletić:

Creek: 19.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.1 ast
Russell: 21.2 pts, 6.2 ast, 3.7 reb
Miletić: 12.7 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.2 ast

Cedevita Olimpija’s main strengths are at point guard with Umoja Gibson (16.8 pts, 4.9 ast) and Aleksej Nikolić (16.3 pts, 3.5 ast).

While Cluj boast the league’s second-best offense, Cedevita Olimpija stands out defensively, conceding just 78 points per game, second only to JL Bourg.

In the last round, Cluj defeated Hamburg 103–92, while Cedevita Olimpija scored 104 points in Klaipėda against Neptūnas.

In their first meeting this season, Cedevita Olimpija won in Romania 93–87.

BKT EUROCUP – REGULAR SEASON, ROUND 15

Tivoli Sports Hall (Ljubljana, Slovenija), Tuesday, 20 January, 18:30
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – U-BT CLUJ-NAPOCA

LOOKING AHEAD
This will be Cedevita Olimpija’s final home game of the EuroCup regular season, followed by road games at Venezia, Hamburg, and Śląsk. Before that, the Dragons visit Zadar in the ABA League on Friday.