#ABAFutureStars: U19 Cedevita Olimpija Down U19 Ilirija to Reach the Semi-Finals

2025/26 U19 ABA League Championship. Quarter-Finals, Tuesday, April 21, 2026:

U19 CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA - U19 Ilirija 85:70 (21:18, 20:20, 21:18, 23:14)

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U19 Cedevita Olimpija have secured their place in the Semi-Finals of the 2025/26 U19 ABA League Final Tournament, after defeating their city rivals U19 Ilirija in the Quarter-Finals clash. The young Dragons pulled away in the decisive moments of the game to claim a well-earned victory and continue their title quest.

For nearly three quarters, the game was a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging leads and staying within striking distance. U19 Ilirija were right there, trailing by just four points late in the third quarter - 60:56 - keeping the outcome wide open.

However, that’s when U19 Cedevita Olimpija made their decisive move. The Dragons went on a crucial 10:0 run spanning the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarter, turning a narrow advantage into a comfortable double-digit lead - 70:56. That run proved to be the turning point of the game, as Ilirija struggled to respond afterward. From that moment on, Cedevita Olimpija stayed in control and calmly closed out the game.

Cedevita Olimpija youngster Maks Ciperle delivered a dominant all-around performance for the winning side. He finished the game with 25 points and 14 rebounds, earning an outstanding index rating of 32 and leading his team on both ends of the floor.

On the other side, Martin Cizej stood out for U19 Ilirija, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent their rivals from advancing.