Olimpija, which lost to Krka Novo Mesto in the Slovenian League finals this year, has been struggling with finances for several years now and failed to repeat last year the 2010/11 feat when it rose from the ashes to make among Europe's top 16 teams.

It is entering its last guaranteed Euroleague season with a young and inexperienced team, which has however had a promising start into the Adriatic League with two wins and one loss.

Probably having to manage without two of his tallest players - slightly injured newcomers Aron Baynes and Alen Omić - Olimpija's coach Sašo Filipovski was cautious before the opening game against Cantu, which has been on a winning spree, as well as about expectations for the Euroleague in general.

"Our team will not cope and cannot cope with pressure that it needs to make the Top 16. We really have strong opponents. We can play well if we play relaxed...while I demand of the players to focus on all the elements of the game...and work hard," he told the press ahead of the away game against Cantu.

Olimpija, whose overhauled roster also includes guards Teemu Rannikko and Klemen Prepelič, playmaker Dominic Waters and power forwards Dražen Bubnič and Dylan Page, will play its first home game at the Stožice arena against Istanbul's Fenerbahce on 19 October.

The remaining opponents in group A are Panathinaikos Athens, Khimki Moscow, and Real Madrid.