Galatasaray seeks win for Top 16 spot

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Medical Park Galatasaray’s Furkan Aldemir (19) jumps for a tip-off against Montepaschi Siena. AFP photo

Galatasaray Medical Park hosts Union Olimpija tonight, hoping to book its place in the Top 16 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

The Istanbul team, which is performing above expectations in its debut year at the top-level continental basketball competition, is fourth in the Group D with three wins in eight matches.

A victory will make Galatasaray Medical Park the third Turkish team in the Top 16, after Fenerbahçe Ülker and Anadolu Efes.

Unbeaten leader Regal Barcelona tops the group ahead of second Montepaschi Siena (6-2) and third Unics Kazan (5-3).

A win, or even a defeat by eight points will put Galatasaray out of touching distance from the bottom two teams, Asseco Prokom and Union Olimpija, who both have only one wins.

If Olimpija manages to win by 9 or more, it needs a win against Unics at home in Week 10, along with a Barcelona Regal victory over Galatasaray and Prokom losing its next two games.

Olimpija is on a five-game losing streak that has put the team in a do-or-die situation. Galatasaray fans will try to push their team to a win that could start a new page in club history.

At Galatasaray, Josh Shipp did not play against Montepaschi last week and missed his team’s Beko Basketball League showdown this weekend. If Shipp stays sidelined, Preston Shumpert will be Galatasaray’s first option at small forward.

The tip-off is at 7.15 p.m. and will be shown live on NTV Spor.