By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia enters the high-pressure environment of the Belgrade Arena this Friday, facing a pivotal Round 34 clash against Partizan Mozzart Bet that will define their 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season trajectory.
Head coach Pedro Martínez must navigate this hostile atmosphere with a depleted backcourt, as breakout star Jean Montero is officially sidelined. The 22-year-old Dominican guard, who has been a revelation in his debut campaign in Europe’s premier club competition with averages of 13.2 points and 4.5 assists, suffered a right-hand injury during the frantic closing moments of Tuesday’s victory over Olympiacos. He aggravated a pre-existing condition while drawing the foul that led to Sergio De Larrea’s game-winning free throws, leaving a significant void in the Taronges’ offensive engine.
The injury woes continue as forward Xabi Lopez-Arostegui remains out with a lingering hamstring issue. Despite these absences, Valencia remains locked in a fierce battle for postseason positioning. Currently tied for third place with Real Madrid at 21-12, they sit just half a game behind Olympiacos. With a comfortable two-game cushion over the Play-In Showdown zone, the primary objective is now clinching a top-four seed to secure home-court advantage in the best-of-five quarterfinals for a ticket to the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens presented by Etihad.
While Partizan has already been eliminated from postseason contention, the Belgrade side remains a dangerous spoiler. They are dealing with their own roster crisis, from the season-long loss of captain Vanja Marinkovic to Duane Washington Jr. and Mario Nakic remaining sidelined, and uncertainty surrounding Tonye Jekiri.
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