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Zagreb Co and FMP succeeded to qualify for the Eurochallenge Cup quarter-final with the latest victories achieved on Tuesday. Both promoted to the next phase from group J while Budućnost finished the season as the last one in Group K….

A strong second half saw FMP march into the quarter-final with a comprehensive 81-55 victory against Belgacom Liege. FMP started well with a Protić three-pointer, but the visitors stayed in touch throughout the first period and a pair of Josh Duncan free-throws kept the hosts' lead down to 22-18 at the first break. That lead grew to seven after 90 seconds of the second period following a Pedja Samarđiski dunk, and a Mladen Jeremić lay-up put them 32-21 ahead with 5:47 on the clock. However, despite already being eliminated from the competition, Liege fought back, and a Xavier Collete trey launched an 8-2 run, and with Duncan scoring a lay-up, FMP's lead was only 36-33 at half-time. Any thoughts of an upset were dispelled at the start of the third period as four Raduljica points launched a 9-0 run, and a 7-0 tear quickly followed as the home side went into the final break with a 64-43 lead. That lead never dipped below 20 in the final period, and the win was punctuated with a Papac trey as FMP stormed into the last eight.

"We succeeded in completing our goal. Many people doubted that we would qualify for the Quarter-Finals; honestly at the start of EuroChallenge I wasn't optimistic about passing to the Quarter-Finals. In this competition there are many teams with a good quality,« said FMP coach Vlade Đurović.

A late surge by Zagreb proved decisive as they slayed the Artland Dragons to secure their quarter-final berth after coming back from an 8 point deficit with less than four minutes to play to claim a nail-biting 69-67 victory. For Zagreb it was party time as they made it through as group winners thanks mainly to a great double-double by Luka Žorić who pulled down 10 boards to add to his game-high 18 points. However when it mattered they dried up big-time and Folarin Campbell couldn't convert his fifth triple during the dying seconds from downtown to take a dramatic win and add to his 16 point haul. It was a controlled performance by the home side who didn't panic and kept their nerve as their patient approach finally paid dividends. Some great defence kept their opponents to just two points inside the last three minutes.

"I would like to congratulate my players , those who have played tonight as well as those who were not able to help us due to injuries and illnesses . Nevertheless, they were here cheering for us. This was a difficult and dramatic game with a lot on stake for us and for the guests as well. Eventually we had more luck, we managed to save the game and win,« said zagreb's coach Denis Bajramović.

A fine 17 points and eight rebounds by Lewis Hopkins propelled Apoel into the last eight as they took second place in Group K with a hard fought 81-76 success against fellow challengers Budućnost. Trailing 70-67 with just under four minutes to go, a big triple by Michael Mokongo tied the game up and Apoel never looked back as they took the initiative with some big plays and impressive defence. Budućnost had led for periods of the game with Marko Simonović drilling home a three-pointer on the stroke of the interval to hand the visitors a 38-34 advantage heading into the second half. By midway through the third, it was really looking good for the team from Montenegro as a score by Ivan Maraš extended their lead to 50-42 but the Apoel came storming back. A triple by Brandon Heath brought the home side level at 56-56 and set up a thrilling finale and the platform for Apoel to take the win.

"Congratulations to the home team. They were more concentrated in the last 3-4 minutes. We missed many free throws which was crucial. Good luck to APOEL,« said Budućnost coach Dejan Radonjić.