In a decisive showdown for a spot in the playoffs for the top 16 phase of the Basketball Champions League, Igokea is set to face Tofas tonight at 6:00 PM.
Despite not securing a victory in the first four rounds of Group H, the team from Republika Srpska still has a chance to claim the third position on the table. This position grants two playoff games and a clash with the second-placed team from Group G, where PAOK and Hapoel Jerusalem have a record of 3-1, while Galatasaray and Benfica have a record of 1-3. Tofas managed its only victory against Igokea in Laktasi, with a score of 104-102, in the first round, requiring Igokea to win by more than two points to surpass their rival on the table. Additionally, both teams need to achieve the same result in the last round of the group stage.
Coach Vladimir Jovanović’s team enters this encounter with great optimism, having shown impressive form in the ABA League, stringing together five consecutive victories. Jovanović believes that this positive momentum can be transferred to FIBA competitions. The team is determined to secure a win by a margin of more than two points to advance to the playoffs.
Jovanović emphasized the importance of the match, stating, “We are well aware of what a victory brings and what a defeat means. With a triumph, we advance to the playoffs, while a loss eliminates us from further competition. We must give our all and remain highly concentrated to achieve victory from the first minute. Tofas plays exceptionally well in transition, which we need to stop, along with their pick-and-roll game, an aspect we usually defend well against ABA and Champions League teams. I believe we will triumph because we had a chance in the first match, and now we are in much better form,” said Kondić.
This pivotal match will determine Igokea’s fate in the Basketball Champions League, making it a must-watch for fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Source: RTRS
