Cedevita Olimpija lost 66–84 to Le Mans Sarthe Basket at Stožice on Wednesday in Round 4 of the BKT EuroCup regular season. The Ljubljana side remain without a European victory after four games in Group A, with their next opportunity coming next Wednesday away to Aris in Thessaloniki.
Cedevita Olimpija were unable to build on Saturday’s victory in Laktaši with a win on the European stage. In their first home game following three consecutive road trips, head coach Zvezdan Mitrović’s team fell to Le Mans, who recorded their second victory of this BKT EuroCup season. Following defeats to Burgos, Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem and Rigas Zelli, the Dragons suffered their fourth European loss.
Wednesday’s game at Stožice also featured Old School Night, bringing together different generations of supporters and celebrating the history of basketball in Ljubljana.
Cedevita Olimpija will have a chance to return to winning ways on Saturday at 17:00, when they host Budućnost VOLI at Stožice in Round 5 of the opening phase of the AdmiralBet ABA League. Their European campaign continues on Wednesday, 28 October, at 18:30 Slovenian time, away to Aris Thessaloniki Betsson in Thessaloniki.
POST-GAME QUOTES:
Zvezdan Mitrović, Cedevita Olimpija head coach:
“Le Mans showed more energy and were more active, particularly in the second half. They outplayed us in the fundamentals of basketball and showed their talent. Even before the game, I stressed that with the roster currently available to us, it is extremely difficult to compete against a team that plays with as much energy as Le Mans. We can try, but it is hard to keep up with that pace for all 40 minutes, especially in the EuroCup.”
Matthew Hurt, Cedevita Olimpija player:
“Our opponents showed how talented a team they are. They responded well to everything we tried. We have quality, but right now all we can do is keep working hard and trust our system.”
Urban Kroflič, Cedevita Olimpija player:
“We had no answer to our opponents’ aggressive play. They are a very strong and physical team. Their offensive rebounding also caused us a lot of problems. It was a really tough game for us.”
GAME REPORT:
Cedevita Olimpija once again made a slow start, allowing the visitors to establish a 14–2 lead in the opening minutes. The Ljubljana side then settled into the game and gradually reduced the deficit, taking a 36–35 lead through an Osayi Osifo basket with just under two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Le Mans nevertheless finished the first half stronger and went into the break with a five-point advantage (43–38).
Anthony Cowan Jr. opened the second half with a three-pointer to bring the Dragons within two, but the visitors responded with a 13–4 run to restore their double-digit lead (56–45). They won the third quarter 28–14 and led 71–52 heading into the final ten minutes. Despite a determined effort in the fourth quarter, Cedevita Olimpija were unable to threaten their lead, and Le Mans secured their second victory of the European season.
Matthew Hurt scored 12 points for Cedevita Olimpija, Jordan Gainey added 11, while Noah Kirkwood and David Škara finished with 10 apiece.
BKT EUROCUP, REGULAR SEASON, GROUP A, ROUND 4
Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Wednesday, 21 October:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – LE MANS SARTHE BASKET 66–84 (16–22, 22–21, 14–28, 14–13)
Cedevita Olimpija: Cowan Jr. 6, Radović 2, Gainey 11, Lomažs 2, Ustun, Blažič, Osifo 2, Cerkvenik 2, Hurt 12, Kirkwood 10, Kroflič 9, Škara 10.
