Budućnost Voli’s ambitions in the Eurocup have taken a significant hit following a decisive defeat against Beşiktaş in Istanbul, losing by a score of 96-74. This loss has not only placed them in a precarious position in Group B but has also forced them to rethink their strategy in the remaining three matches of the group phase.
Currently, Budućnost holds a record of 9 wins and 6 losses, trailing behind the leaders Beşiktaş and Burg, both with 11 wins and 4 losses. The defeat has left the Montenegrin team effectively out of contention for a top-two finish, which would guarantee a spot in the quarter-finals and secure home-court advantage in the knockout stage. The team’s situation is exacerbated by unexpected losses to both Trento and Panionios, further complicating their path to the playoffs.
After the loss on the Bosphorus, Budućnost dropped from third to fifth place in the group standings. Trento, now tied with Budućnost at 9-6, boasts a better head-to-head record after winning both of their encounters this season. Meanwhile, Kemnic sits in sixth place with 8-7, holding the final playoff spot. Another German team, Ulm, remains in contention with a record of 7-8 following a recent victory over London Lions.
Desperate Fight Ahead for Budućnost
With three crucial matches left, Budućnost is set to face teams that are also vying for playoff positions. Their upcoming schedule includes a home game against Kemnic, followed by an away match against Ulm, and a final home game against Burg. The stakes are high; not only must they aim for a top-four finish to secure a home advantage, but they also cannot afford any further slip-ups that might jeopardize their playoff chances.
Head Coach Andrej Žakelj stressed the importance of focusing on their own performance, stating, “We need to concentrate on our game and fight until the end. We can’t influence other results, only our own.” The urgency of this message is clear as the team prepares for the remaining fixtures.
The loss to Beşiktaş was not entirely unexpected, given the Turkish team’s stature as a strong contender for the Eurocup title. Recent additions, including EuroLeague players Metta World Peace and Sertac Sanli, have bolstered their roster significantly. Nevertheless, the manner in which Budućnost played raised concerns, as they seemed outmatched, particularly after an initial promising start.
Performance Concerns Plague Budućnost
Budućnost’s performance in Istanbul was troubling, especially their defensive lapses. After a strong start that saw them leading 6-5 early in the first quarter, they succumbed to a staggering 20-0 run by Beşiktaş, ultimately trailing by as much as 28 points during the game.
Coach Žakelj noted, “While we prepared adequately, we failed to adapt to their physicality and aggression. Allowing 16 offensive rebounds is simply unacceptable against any team, let alone one of Beşiktaş’s caliber.”
The offensive struggles were evident as Budućnost’s key shooters faltered. Aside from solid contributions from Jogi Ferrell (18 points) and Oleksandr Kovliar (13 points), the team’s main scorers fell short. Stars like Rashid Sulejman and Skylar Mays combined for only 12 points, failing to make an impact. The absence of injured player Fletcher Magee further compounded their difficulties.
Budućnost has now allowed 90 points or more for the sixth time this season, raising alarms about their defensive consistency. Their rebounding disadvantage (Beşiktaş out-rebounded them 47-25) and shooting percentages were also concerning, with Budućnost shooting 42.9% from two-point range and 42.1% from beyond the arc.
As the regular season winds down, the pressure mounts for Budućnost to not only secure a playoff position but to do so with a strong enough performance to avoid a repeat of past failures in the knockout stage. They have yet to advance beyond the first round in the current Eurocup format, having experienced first-round exits in previous seasons.
With a current record of 9-6, Budućnost must rally in their final matches against Kemnic, Ulm, and Burg to ensure they are in contention for the playoffs. The upcoming games promise to be critical in determining their fate in this year’s Eurocup.
