Madrid in control

Russian outfit Uniks hammered Montepaschi Siena of Italy at home, while Israel's Hapoel Jerusalem won through by eleven points against BC FMP Zeleznik, also of Serbia.

Felipe Reyes was the main man for Madrid in an offense-dominated first half, which was close throughout. Madrid held a 45-44 lead at the halfway mark. He ended the match with 19 points and ten rebounds, a total only bettered by American Louis Bullock, who bagged 22 in a sterling attacking performance.

In the third quarter Madrid - unbeaten in 17 home games in the Spanish league and ULEB Cup this season and therefore massive favourites to go through to the semi-finals for the second time in their history next week - shored up their defense and the Belgrade outfit struggled to open them up.

The 11-point lead was ensured by a Reyes lay-up at the death and left Zvezda - led in the scoring by Milan Gurovic with 18 points - needing a huge turnaround to come back.

Uniks started off on the attack and did not let up throughout their match against Siena in Russia, eventually triumphing 93-53 to virtually assure themselves of a semi-final place against the winners of the Madrid- Zvezda tie.

Uniks boasted five players in double figures by the end. The fearsome Saulius Stombergas led the way with 17. He was closely followed by Rimas Kaukenas of the away team, who contributed 16 points - the majority of them in the final ten minutes.

Indeed, that helped Siena to reduce the gap - but they still have a mountain to climb in Italy.

As in the match in Belgrade, the first half was very close in Israel. It was neck-and-neck until right before the buzzer, when the home team took the lead for 44-41.

A huge second half performance from Mario Austin saw him collect 26 points in all and give his team an 11-point lead to take to Zeleznik. Branko Cvetkovic scored 22 for the Serbians.

The second leg is shaping up to be a close affair as the two clubs aim for the ULEB Cup semis.

French side Strasbourg took a commanding lead in their home quarter-final against Lithuanians Lietuvos Rytas, but the gap by the end was reduced to 13 points. Israeli athlete Afik Nissim sunk 21 points for Strasbourg, the same total as former LA Lakers shooting guard Kareem Lamar Rush, playing for Rytas.

At half time the lead was 52-29 and Strasbourg, seeking to emulate the best finish of a French team in the competition, seemed to be in control of the tie. However Rytas won the ULEB in 2005 and would not roll over, eventually pegging them back to a points difference that may mean the return will be a close run thing.