Win in Laktaši for Semi-finals against Crvena zvezda mts
Cedevita Olimpija has managed, for the first time since the merger of Cedevita Zagreb with Olimpija Ljubljana, to Qualify for the Semi-finals of the regional league. The Dragons of Ljubljana have beaten Igokea m:tel in the second game of the Preliminary Round of the Playoffs with the score of 74:69, finished the series and earned … Continued
Cedevita Olimpija has managed, for the first time since the merger of Cedevita Zagreb with Olimpija Ljubljana, to Qualify for the Semi-finals of the regional league. The Dragons of Ljubljana have beaten Igokea m:tel in the second game of the Preliminary Round of the Playoffs with the score of 74:69, finished the series and earned themselves the clash against Crvena zvezda mts.
After having fulfilled their goal in the 7DAYS EuroCup and qualifying for the Quarterfinals of the competition the players of Cedevita Olimpija have fulfilled the second goal, related to the international competitions, where they are competing in the 2021/22 season. In the second game of the Preliminary Round of the Playoffs, the Dragons have won 74:69, swept the series and managed to qualfy for the Top Four of the competition. This means that they will be facing Crvena zvezda mts, the reigning champions and members of the EuroLeague, in the Semi-finals.
It has been a game of many ups and downs, for which, midway through the last quarter, many thought, that it could have gone either way. With a bit more than 5 minutes remaining on the game clock, the two squads have been tied for the last time, as the score was 64:64. That’s when two daggers, one each by Yogi Ferrell and Jacob Pullen from beyond the arc, commenced the 8:0 run by Cedevita Olimpija, that took the visiting side up 64:72 and only 3 minutes were left in the game. As it turned out later in the game, this has been crucial for the outcome, as Igokea m:tel just could not find the strength again to stand up and turn the game upside-down again.
Yogi Ferrell was the top scorer of the squad, that played in orange this time, as he had 20 points on his record. Melvin Ejim added 16 points, Jacob Pullen 11 and Zoran Dragić 10.
The Semi-final series against Crvena zvezda mts begin on Thursday, 12 May and the first game between the two sides will be in Belgrade. The second game is coming up on Monday, 16 May in Stožice Arena. The possible third game of the Semi-finals might come up on Friday 20 May in Belgrade.
PRELIMINARY ROUND, GAME 2
SD Laktaši (Laktaši, Bosnia in Herzegovina), Wedneday, 5 May:
IGOKEA M:TEL – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 69:74 (16:16, 20:23, 19:18, 14:17) [0:2]*
Cedevita Olimpija: Pullen 11 (5 assists), Ferrell 20, Ejim 16, Murić, Auguste 8 (5 rebounds), Blažič 7, Hodžić, Ščuka, Omić (8 rebounds), Dragić 10, Radovanović 2, Mulalić.
*Score of the series.
Already played:
PRELIMINARY ROUND, GAME 1
Tivoli Sports Hall (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Saturday, April 30:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – IGOKEA M:TEL 93:79 (29:26, 25:21, 19:18, 20:14)
Cedevita Olimpija: Pullen 21 (6 assists), Ferrell 17, Ejim 9 (11 rebounds, 5 assists), Duščak, Murić 11 (6 rebounds), Auguste 13, Hodžić, Ščuka, Omić 4 (10 rebounds), Dragić 18, Radovanović, Mulalić.
