By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Basketball Champions Regular Season Gameday 12 is right ahead for 32 teams set to compete in 16 different venues across Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday. Four clubs have already punched in their playoffs tickets, but the holders of the other 12 are pending.
Turk Telekom clinched via Group A, Dinamo Sassari and BAXI Manresa seem likely to follow. Group B still does not contain a Round of 16 participant, but Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and AEK are in prime position.
In Group C, Iberostar Tenerife and ERA Nymburk are in, but two more spots are available. As for Group D, JDA Dijon only has the home-court advantage to worry about with a wilder finish setting up for the rest of the field.
Below the Basketball Champions League Regular Season Gameday 12 preview:
Group A
1. y-Turk Telekom 19 (8-3)
2. Dinamo Sassari 19 (8-3)
3. BAXI Manresa 18 (7-4)
4. Filou Oostende 17 (6-5)
5. UNET Holon 16 (5-6)
6. Lietkabelis 15 (4-7)
7. SIG Strasbourg 15 (4-7)
8. x-Polski Cukier Torun 13 (2-9)
y-advanced to the playoffs
x-eliminated from the playoffs
Plenty of crucial games in Group A, among them Filou Oostende hosting Turk Telekom at the Versluys Dome. Improving to 5-1 at home is the goal for Dario Gjergja’s side as it would mean to get to 7-5 overall. The visitors have clinched at 8-3, but still seek home-court advantage for the playoffs. The weekend saw Oostende jump to 10-3 in the EuroMillions Basketball League with the “W” over the Telenet Giants Antwerp and the Turkish outlet rest at 7-9 in Super Ligi.
BAXI Manresa will take on UNET Holon aiming to extend its undefeated run at the Pavello Nou Congost. Sitting at 7-5 will collide with the Israeli club carrying a 5-6 W-L tally and looking for a playoffs spot. The team coached by Pedro Martinez is 8-10 in ACB. Stefanos Dedas’ side is 8-7 in the Super League.
Coming off three straight defeats, SIG Strasbourg really needs to jump to 5-7 with Dinamo Sassari at 8-3 coming to visit. Another losing streak in Jeep Elite Pro A has Vincent Collet’s side at 8-11. Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team is 15-3 in LBA Serie A.
Another 4-7 team, Lietkabelis will face already-eliminated Polski Cukier Torun. Before the Poland trip fell to 12-7 in the LKL. The hosts are 12-4 in the PLK.
Gameday 12 schedule:
Tuesday
Polski Cukier Torun – Lietkabelis
BAXI Manresa – UNET Holon
Wednesday
Filou Oostende – Turk Telekom
SIG Strasbourg – Dinamo Sassari