The club from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana lost a nail-biter against Tau Ceramica with 90-91 before the cheering home crowd, the Slovenian news agency STA reported.

After clearly dominating the first half and heading into half-time with a 12-point lead, Tau Ceramica built up an impressive 21-point lead (49-70) by the end of the third quarter, said the reports.

Union Olimpija's captain Marko Milic effected a reversal with seven consecutive point and took Olimpija within six points of the Spanish club five minutes before the final whistle.

In the nervous final minutes, a three-pointer by Jonathan Wallace took Olimpija into the lead for the first time. But Tau Ceramica scored through Mirza Teletovic just three seconds before the end.

One week ago, Union Olimpija opened this year's campaign in theEuroleague in Badalona with a 64-81 loss to DKV Joventut.

Slovenia's sole representative in Euroleague is playing in Group C, which also includes Turkey's Fenerbahce Ulker, Lottomatica Roma of Italy and Alba Berlin. Tau Ceramica survived the tough test on Thursday and became the only undefeated team in the group.

Union Olimpija aims to progress through the group stage, which the team has failed to achieve since the 2003/04 season.

The first stage of the 2008/2009 Euroleague is to finish on Jan. 15, 2009, with the top four of six teams in every group advancing to the Top 16 stage.