After 4 consecutive away trips, U-BT Cluj-Napoca returns to its home ground! Important match with Venezia: “We are impatient”

At the end of last week, U-BT Cluj-Napoca completed a series of 4 consecutive trips, being narrowly defeated, 81-77, by Dubai Basketballa Euroleague team that had beaten Fenerbahce Istanbul, the European champion, and FC Barcelona a few days before.

Complete batch for Mihai Silvășan: “We are not in the best physical shape with all the players”

Mihai Silvășan's students returned to the country and on Tuesday, October 21, they performed the last training before the confrontation with Umana Reyer Venezia, from the 4th round of the BKT EuroCup. After an intense session, before practicing shots, U-BT basketball players and staff members battled it out in a 3-point contest.

The black and white coach threw excellently and lasted a long time in the contest, but was eventually eliminated by Saulius KulvietisU-BT's newest player. The Lithuanian demonstrated his excellent outside hand and won the contestafter a final with Jeffery Taylor, the seasoned veteran of the “students”.

“Kulvietis is nowhere near in his best physical shape. His last match before he came to us was in June or at the end of May. We are not in the best physical shape with all the players, but it is part of the life of a team. We have to get over it and put things in order as quickly as possible,” said Silvășan, who confirmed that he will have the entire squad at his disposal for the duel with Umana Reyer Venezia. Karel Guzman returning to training today.

In the Dubai game, the 40-year-old coach saw an improvement in rebounding as U-BT won the game 40-39. Silvășan emphasized that, considering the team's style of play, rebounds play a very important role, giving them the opportunity to go on the counterattack.

The 3-point competition of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, before the duel with Umana Reyer Venezia/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca aims to combat the aggressive play of the Italians and recover well

How do you describe the Italian game? “Venice always has a very competitive team. This year they are quite physical, quite fast. Up to this moment, after three matches, the team with the most points scored per transition in the Eurocup”, explained “Silva”.

Therefore, the objective proposed to his students is to be more aggressive than their opponents, to play with intensity in defense and to recover as best as possible, in order to go on the counterattackwhere U-BT benefits from fast players like Daron Russell or Iverson Molinar.

“We'll see what will happen tomorrow. We expect the public, in as large a number, to support us. We're coming after a series of four consecutive away games. It wasn't easy at all, but they passed and now we have the first home game after a while. We're impatient to play,” Silvășan concluded.

Mihai Silvășan, coach of U-BT Cluj-Napoca/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)

New father, Iverson Molinar is waiting for the duel with Venezia: “The team is motivated to get the victory”

He followed in front of the microphones Molinar, who did not play in Poland, against Slask Wroclaw, but stayed with his wife, who gave birth for the first time. “hey dad” (no “Hey Dad”) the Panamanian defender was greeted by a journalist present at the press conference with a big smile on his face.

Molinar later said that his son is a motivation for U-BT to win every game. Also, Cluj will always remain the city where his first child was born.

“It's already special and magical. I loved it before my son was born and now I love it even more. It's definitely a blessing. It's the city where my son was born so I'm excited and looking forward to more games here“, explained the 25-year-old athlete.

Molinar praised the opponent, spoke about U-BT's transition game and the problem with offensive rebounds, and was eager to perform again in front of the Cluj fans.

“I was absent in the last EuroCup game, but now I'm back on the field. The team is motivated to get a win tomorrow. We're back at home for the second game, so we're definitely excited, and we'll be pushing hard for success,” Molinar pointed out.

Iverson Molinar, defender of U-BT Cluj-Napoca/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)

Neven Spahija, coach of the guests: “We are meeting a top team”

Like the hosts, tomorrow's visitors have a record of one win and two losses in the EuroCup. The Venetians lost to Aris Thessaloniki and Bahcesehir Istanbul and beat Neptunas Klaipeda.

On the other hand, in the championship, Umana Reyer Venezia has won 2 matches and lost one. Neven Spahija's band leaders are Kyle Wiltjer, Ky Bowman and RJ Cole. The Italians come after a clear victory in Lega A, score 102-66, against Trieste.

We meet a top team that continues to get better every year on the European stage. They started the EuroCup season with 2 unexpected defeats and this will make them even more determined: we expect an opponent prepared and 100% focused.

We are coming off a week where we played high quality basketball. We want to continue on this path, maintain the same attitude and style of play. It will be an intense, high-level match

– Neven Spahija, coach of Umana Reyer Veneziaaccording to the club's official website

Schedule of the 4th round of the BKT EuroCup

Tuesday, October 21

• Neptunas Klaipeda vs. Hamburg – 19:00

• Aris Thessaloniki vs. Manresa – 20:00

• ratiopharm Ulm vs. Besiktas – 20:00

• Hapoel Jerusalem vs. Slask Wroclaw – 21:00

Wednesday, October 22

• Bahcesehir Istanbul vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana – 19:00

• U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs. Umana Reyer Venezia – 19:00, Prima Sport 3, EuroLeague TV

• Buducnost Podgorica vs. Panionios – 20:00

• Chemnitz vs. London Lions – 8:00 p.m

• JL Bourg vs. Lietkabelis – 20:30

• Trent vs. Turk Telekom – 21:00

Saulius Kulvietis (in the distance) won the 3-point contest before the match with Venezia/Photo: David Istrate (GSP.ro)