Fener, going into this evening’s make-or-break game against cellar-dweller Zalgiris, has a 3-6 record and is placed fourth in the six-team standings. Therefore victory by any margin would see them through to the Top 16; while Cibona Zagreb and Zalgiris -- both 2-7 -- would be eliminated.This means Fener Ülker cannot afford to lose this evening because that would be tantamount to shooting itself in the foot. The İstanbul side, unrecognizable in Italy last Wednesday when it was hammered 101-55 by Montepaschi Siena, has to perform much better today because a berth in the Top 16 is at stake.
Lynn Greer was the top scorer for Fenerbahçe Ülker in Italy last Wednesday with 18 points, followed by Oğuz Savaş with 13.
But today Fenerbahçe will definitely need more top scorers because it needs points, plenty of them, to beat the Lithuanians and march majestically into the final 16 of Europe’s most prestigious club basketball competition. The match starts at 9 p.m. and will be aired live on Spormax.
The other crucial Group A games today pit Cibona against third-placed French side Asvel Basket (3-6) and already qualified Regal Barcelona against Montepaschi in the battle for the top spot.
Elsewhere in Group C it is CSKA Moscow vs. Caja Laboral in another battle for the top spot; Lottomatica vs. eliminated Union Olimpija; and struggling Maroussi BC against already qualified Maccabi Electra.
