MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - Italian heavyweights Umana Reyer Venezia, Sidigas Scandone Avellino and Dinamo Sassari are overwhelmingly viewed as the likeliest teams to lift the FIBA Europe Cup trophy at the end of the Play-Offs.

In a survey of team captains conducted over the international window, the three clubs from the Apennines featured in every single response from their Round of 16 opponents.

Reyer Venezia were named as the number one choice in 50 percent of responses, with 37.5 percent of respondents listing Sidigas Avellino as the main favorite.

Dinamo Sassari came in third in the poll with the remaining 12.5 percent of the votes, completing a pronounced clean sweep for the trio of clubs, all of whom transferred from the Basketball Champions League.

The voice of the players predicts a bleak bright future for Egis Kormend, who are set to face the Walter De Raffaele-coached Venetians in the Round of 16 after receiving an equivalent of the short straw in the draw.

In a much-telling way, Csaba Ferencz, the captain of the Hungarian side, acknowledged the tough underdog task ahead of them, himself picking Reyer Venezia as the most dangerous team.

"Being paired with Venezia is meant to be difficult for us, as we aren't the favorites but we are going to do everything in order to cause a surprise," said the 32-year-old marksman who leads the competition in three-pointers made this season.

"If I had to choose from the remaining teams, our Italian opponents might be the most likely team to win FIBA Europe Cup. The reason is quite simple – they come from an extremely strong league and they are not only great as a team, but also have excellent players individually."

Having also picked Venezia as the team to beat, Nicolai Iversen and his Bakken Bears are in an advantageous position in that regard, as they ended up on the opposite side of the bracket.

"Venezia are playing at a really high level this season and have, much like us, been building for several years only at a higher domestic league level," the experienced big man pointed out.

At least according to his peers, Reyer Venezia skipper Tomas Ress is the likeliest man to lift the trophy come May. While the 37-year-old admits to having his sights zeroed in on the main prize, he insists that is the case for everyone still in the competition.

Who could be their most dangerous challenger? If you ask Ress, it has to be fellow Italians from Avellino: "They have a very deep roster and excellent players to win the whole thing."

George Theocharides of Keravnos seems to agree.

"I would point out Avellino as the favorite. They play in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe and seem to be the best team in the Round of 16," he contends.

Amid the somewhat overpowering craze for the hotshots from Venice and Avellino, the third Italian club, Dinamo Sassari, have emerged as the third choice and the only expressed alternative.

"I would say Dinamo Sassari," Nizhny Novgorod big man Petr Gubanov responded. "I remember this team very well, as I faced them several times in other tournaments and they always were a tough team to encounter. They are one of the strongest teams in Italy and even have a champion's title. Once you win it, you always have that spirit."

"Besides, I just like their basketball."

The Sardinian club's captain Giacomo Devecchi also has his fingers crossed for an Italian triumph; one way or another.

"Obviously, I hope that Dinamo will raise the cup," he offered, before giving his official prediction. "Otherwise, I would pick an Italian team. Either Venice or Avellino. It would be important for the basketball movement in Italy."

It comes as no surprise that Reyer Venezia and Sidigas Avellino are rated so highly by all of their counterparts. After all, both teams are at the top of the standings in Serie A, one of Europe's premier domestic competitions. 

Venezia lead the pack with a 15-5 mark together with Olimpia Milano, while Avellino are just one game behind.

Having spent a couple of seasons in Italy himself, Peter Lorant of Alba Fehervar agreed with the general trend, but was quick to remind everyone about the uncertain nature of a home-and-away format and the plentiful talent on other teams in the competition.

"There are other tough teams, but [Venezia and Avellino] have the best chances to win it all. However, there are some very solid teams that qualified from the FIBA Europe Cup," explained the well-traveled Hungarian stand-out in sharing his thoughts.

"I think after the Round of 16, when we are down to the top eight teams, we are going to have a clearer picture."

FIBA