SZEKESFEHERVAR (FIBA Europe Cup) - Alba Fehervar have already stopped one Lithuanian team in the FIBA Europe Cup, but putting the brakes on Juventus Utena might prove a more difficult task.

In order to turn their fortunes around in the Round of 16, the Hungarian side will have quite a bit of catching up to do after losing the first leg of the tie by double figures, 87-74, on the road.

The prospects of overturning the deficit in the return fixture do not seem too bright in the current light, but hope is very much alive and kicking in the Alba Fehervar camp.

"The difference can be worked out on our home court, but only if we play basketball the right way for 40 minutes," head coach Branislav Dzunic added a pinch of optimism.

Having trailed by as many as 29 points in Utena, Alba Fehervar had erased the gap to 71-69 with 4:50 left in the fourth quarter but fell behind by double figures in the closing minutes once again.

"In the first quarter, we made a lot of mistakes on the defensive end, for which we were ruthlessly punished by our opponents. Afterwards, we gathered ourselves defensively but our problems with three-point shooting made it difficult to catch up," Dzunic explained.

"Eventually, when we did come back within two points, we made some mistakes again and the hosts extended the gap with some three-pointers."

Alba Fehervar inscribed an 88-80 victory when they entertained another Lithuanian side, BC Nevezis, in January. That will not be enough this time around, with only a victory margin of at least 14 points guaranteeing passage to the Quarter-Finals.

Alba Fehervar v Juventus Utena

Time: Tuesday, 18:00 CET
Domestic Form: Alba Fehervar defeated Atomeromu SE Paks 89-82 on Saturuday and improved to a 15-6 record in the Hungarian championship, which currently puts them in 4th place. Juventus suffered their fourth defeat in a row in the LKL, losing to Lietuvos Rytas 104-92 on Saturday, dropping to 6th place.
Key Matchup: Trevis Simpson v Kenny Gaines
First Leg: Juventus +13 (87-74)
Next Opponent: Winner of Tsmoki-Minsk v Sidigas Scandone Avellino
They Said: "We started the game in the worst possible way. I am very proud of my team for being able to make it a one-possession game after trailing by nearly 30 points, but Juventus made some huge shots in the end. It will be a big game on Tuesday and we will try to make it to the next round." – Alba Fehervar captain Peter Lorant
"Alba Fehervar are a great team. It's not a coincidence that they topped their Second Round group and made it to the Play-Offs. By no means is the 13-point margin reassuring, but I'd say it's promising." – Juventus head coach Zydrunas Urbonas
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

FIBA