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Perasović facing the group derby without 4 important players

Valencia have lost two of their last three away games, while Ulm are currently at the top and their only defeat was in Valencia 88-7

Ulm are going into today's game in a great mood. Not just because they beat Artland last weekend, but because all their players have recovered (apart from the long-term injured Mason-Griffin). About a month ago, Ulm had not chance whatsoever in Valenica. It didn't seem that this would be the only defeat the Germans would suffer in the Eurocup. With 5-1, they can play today's game without any pressure knowing that they have two home games left in the first stage of this competition.

Overall, Ulm have won 7 of their last 8 games. They inflicted Artand's 10 consecutive head-to-head defeat on Saturday. It was shown that they are not a one-dimensional team that wins only through offensive play. They left the Dragons at some 60 points and 35 % field goal. They made the crucial difference in the last quarter which they won by 10 points.

- This was an extremely important win for us. We had a wider bench than Artland. I am particularly happy with our defensive performance and aerial game - said coach Thorsten Leibenath and added:

- I think we are playing better this season than before.

It is important to note that center Trent Plaisted played for 11 minutes on his comeback and got 7 points. His performance was very important for Ulm in terms of rebounds. He scored 16 points against Valencia in their first game and he added 8 rebounds. Matt Howard has completely recovered and their great back-up point guard Edgar Sosa (15 points against Arltand )is also doing better after his illness. He made up for Per Günther's poor day (3 points).

Today, Ulm will probably insist on faster pace and avoiding 5 on 5. An important thing for the home team is that a win here can secure their spot in the next round. They also need ASVEL to lose in Ljubljana for that.

- It is surprising to have a chance to secure the spot in the Eurocup Top 32. However, we have a lot to do against Valencia. This is definitely a team with the biggest individual quality in our group. They don't make too many mistakes. They have the top scorer in the Spanish league in Justin Doellman. We will try to reduce his possession to bare minimum - announced Leibenath and Howard shares his view.

- Slowing down Doellman is one of the crucial points of this game. I will definitely stay as close to him as possible and I won't bother covering other players too much.

The Spaniard have convincingly won all their home games so far, but they do have two consecutive away defeats and a 4-2 score does not allow for any relaxation, even though Valenica plays two home games after this one (Olimpija and ASVEL) and it's almost certain they will go through, regardless of what happens today.

However, knowing Perasović as a perfectionist, he will want to settle everything today. The injuries are still a problem and he will not have Dubljević, Aguilar, Liščuk and Lučić today, and we will see the same rotation as against Fuenlabrada in the last game when he only used 8 players.

However, they still crushed Fuenlabrada by 90-76 and had they not relaxed in the last quarter and conceded 32 points, they would have ended the game with solid +20 advantage.

Because of absent players, Perasović is forced to introduce three young players from Valencia's youth team  (Larry Abia, Luis Sabater i Pablo Pérez) but nevertheless, the game wil be carried by Doellman, Sato, Van Rossom, Rafa Martinez, Ribas, Lafayette, Triguero and Pečerov.

- Ulm have proven the level of quality they have, they lost only the game against us and we have been beaten twice in away games. We are aware how difficult this game and opponent is, and we have to play a very good game to succeed - said Perasović.

- We still haven't qualified, we have four games to go and we have to take one at a time. The most important thing is to go through and we can't think about anything else.

Valencia score 84,8 points on average in the Eurocup, but they scored 98,98, and 88 at home, and have never gone over 79 in an away game.

Ulm play different at home than away, and you can see that from their results. Their last four home games were: Ludwigsburg 104-99, Olimpija 83-80, Trier 79-84, Asvel 86-80. If they went over 160 against strong defenses that Olimpija and Asvel have, I don't see why they shouldn't do so to day against the point-machince. Even though Valencia are not at the same level at home and away, it's not easy playing against offensively-oriented Ulm or against Olimpija and Asvel. Pamesa have injury problems but injuries of Aguilara and Liščuk are primarily defensive problems and Pečerov was brought in their stead, and this guys shoots 3-points like a shooting guard and has got 15 and 10 points in his last two games with minimal time on the court. Ulm have 5-1 and are at the top of the table which means they have no imperative whatsoever, and they have two home games against Paris and Varese in which they will make sure they go through, while Valencia have two home games and 4-2 so this game won't bear any additional importance. Considering the players that Valencia are missing, Perasović's defense cannot be at the top level and considering Ulm's philosophy, I see this as a very attractive game. And this means lots of points.