14 Gasper Vidmar (SLO) - 32 Johannes Pierre L. Thiemann (GER) - Banvit v MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, 2017 Basketball Champions League, Bandirma - Kara Ali Acar Spor Salonu(Turkey), Quarter-Finals, 21 March 2017
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LAGUNA (Basketball Champions League) - You're going to bring a smile to the face of anyone connected to Banvit when the conversation is about the Basketball Champions League.
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LAGUNA (Basketball Champions League) - You're going to bring a smile to the face of anyone connected to Banvit when the conversation is about the Basketball Champions League.
Winners of the Turkish Cup earlier this season, the Bandirma side stayed on course for another trophy when it stunned MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg at the death in the second leg of their Quarter-Final in the European competition.
Needing to win that game in Germany by 6 points in order to progress to the Final Four with a 1-point triumph on aggregate, Banvit got the necessary margin of victory when Jordan Theodore scored with 0.5 seconds remaining in the game.
Needing to win that game in Germany by 6 points in order to progress to the Final Four with a 1-point triumph on aggregate, Banvit got the necessary margin of victory when Jordan Theodore scored with 0.5 seconds remaining in the game.
"I think the whole bench jumped at the same time when he made that lay-up," Banvit captain Gasper Vidmar said. "That was an amazing feeling."
The clinching of a spot in the Final Four continued an incredible season for Banvit, a team that has played in its share of thrilling games.
In one Regular Season home clash with Aris, Banvit's fans experienced the full range of emotions. The last was one of utter ecstasy after Gediminas Orelik buried a shot at the end of overtime for victory.
The clinching of a spot in the Final Four continued an incredible season for Banvit, a team that has played in its share of thrilling games.
In one Regular Season home clash with Aris, Banvit's fans experienced the full range of emotions. The last was one of utter ecstasy after Gediminas Orelik buried a shot at the end of overtime for victory.
The journey has been long and hard on the court, and off it for Banvit. The club is based in Bandirma, a city in northwestern Turkey on the Sea of Marmara.
Every time Bandirma play away from home in the Basketball Champions League, the players, coaches and staff have to hop on a ferry for a two-and-a-half hour ride and then catch a flight.
"We love what we're doing and when you love what you're doing, then basically there is no obstacle," said Banvit coach Saso Filipovski, who added that the coaches and players make the most of their time on ferry rides.
"We watch games, we prepare. We use this time for preparation and we also rest. It's proof that everything is possible. There is no limit when you love something."
It's a great league, great teams and great cities. If we win this cup, it would be a huge step for Banvit.Gasper Vidmar
Every time Bandirma play away from home in the Basketball Champions League, the players, coaches and staff have to hop on a ferry for a two-and-a-half hour ride and then catch a flight.
"We love what we're doing and when you love what you're doing, then basically there is no obstacle," said Banvit coach Saso Filipovski, who added that the coaches and players make the most of their time on ferry rides.
"We watch games, we prepare. We use this time for preparation and we also rest. It's proof that everything is possible. There is no limit when you love something."
It's a great league, great teams and great cities. If we win this cup, it would be a huge step for Banvit.Gasper Vidmar
The Basketball Champions League experience has been fun for all the players, including Theodore, who competed in Germany last year for FIBA Europe Cup winners Fraport Skyliners.
He has made plenty of shots but also set up his teammates time and time again.
"Coming in, I didn't have any expectations about the league," he said. "But we play in different cities, countries and you know what? All these teams are good. They wouldn't be in this competition if they weren't.
"I look forward to going up against these top players, trying to prove myself night in and night out. It's been fun, the crowds are great, the teams are great.
"The way it's been set up with the draws, you don't know who you're going to play and you're on your heels. Normally, you do a bracket and you know who you're going to play. It's fun not being able to prepare for weeks and weeks ahead."
Theodore has also enjoyed the Basketball Champions League social media.
"A lot of players like to get the videos from the highlights of their games. The league sends us highlights, it's active on Instagram and a lot of other leagues aren't like that. My friends and family watch the games on livestream."
The Banvit players are now in Tenerife and they've gotten a good look at the Basketball Champions League trophy. To win it would be the icing on the cake for a great season.
They'll have to beat AS Monaco in Friday's Semi-Final and if successful, on Sunday overcome the winner of Iberostar Tenerife's Semi-Final with Umana Reyer Venezia.
"I think we're going to go in there and play tough and come out with the trophy," Theodore said. "We're a tough team to match up with."
Vidmar put this weekend into context.
"It's been a great league, great teams and great cities," he said. "If we win this cup, it would be a huge step for Banvit. It would be like the greatest success for sure. Basketball is the sport of the city."
By FIBA.com
He has made plenty of shots but also set up his teammates time and time again.
"Coming in, I didn't have any expectations about the league," he said. "But we play in different cities, countries and you know what? All these teams are good. They wouldn't be in this competition if they weren't.
"I look forward to going up against these top players, trying to prove myself night in and night out. It's been fun, the crowds are great, the teams are great.
"The way it's been set up with the draws, you don't know who you're going to play and you're on your heels. Normally, you do a bracket and you know who you're going to play. It's fun not being able to prepare for weeks and weeks ahead."
Theodore has also enjoyed the Basketball Champions League social media.
"A lot of players like to get the videos from the highlights of their games. The league sends us highlights, it's active on Instagram and a lot of other leagues aren't like that. My friends and family watch the games on livestream."
The Banvit players are now in Tenerife and they've gotten a good look at the Basketball Champions League trophy. To win it would be the icing on the cake for a great season.
They'll have to beat AS Monaco in Friday's Semi-Final and if successful, on Sunday overcome the winner of Iberostar Tenerife's Semi-Final with Umana Reyer Venezia.
"I think we're going to go in there and play tough and come out with the trophy," Theodore said. "We're a tough team to match up with."
Vidmar put this weekend into context.
"It's been a great league, great teams and great cities," he said. "If we win this cup, it would be a huge step for Banvit. It would be like the greatest success for sure. Basketball is the sport of the city."
By FIBA.com
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