By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The positive COVID-19 tests spreading among teams all around Europe forced the postponement of three Basketball Champions League Play-In contests, initially scheduled to be held this week. Following the Return to Play Protocol, the three contests have been rescheduled for next week, Basketball Champions League announced.
Back-to-back BCL champion Hereda San Pablo Burgos currently facing a spike in COVID-19 cases will not travel to Turkey and face Darussafaka on Tuesday. Game 2 of the best-of-three series shifted to Tuesday, January 18. The Spanish side is leading the series, 1-0.
JDA Dijon is up 1-0 against VEF Riga but their Game 2 matchup was pushed back from January 11 to January 18 as well.
Down 1-0, Filou Oostende has been reset to host Igokea m:tel next Tuesday as well. The Play-In opponents were initially scheduled to continue the series this Wednesday.
Previously postponed Game 1 between NutriBullet Treviso and Lavrio Megabolt is currently scheduled to take place Wednesday.
In addition, Lenovo Tenerife versus Pinar Karsiyaka and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem versus Prometey are currently slated to begin their respective best-of-three series this week. Those matchups were pushed back by the postponement of the last Regular Season contest pitting Baxi Manresa against Hapoel Jerusalem.
Barring another setback, the other two Play-In matchups featuring PAOK mateco opposite SIG Strasbourg and Besiktas Icrypex against Hapoel U-NET Holon are heading to Game 2, according to the initial schedule. Strasbourg and Besiktas got the lead, 1-0, after claiming victory last week.
Play-In results and remaining schedule:
| GAME 1 | GAME 2 | GAME 3 * | |
| SIG Strasbourg – PAOK mateco | 105-78 | 12/1 | TBA |
| Hapoel U-NET Holon – Besiktas Icrypex | 72-73 | 12/1 | TBA |
| JDA Dijon – VEF Riga | 84-77 | 18/1 | TBA |
| Igokea m:tel – Filou Oostende | 87-72 | 18/1 | TBA |
| Hereda San Pablo Burgos – Darussafaka | 83-78 | 18/1 | TBA |
| NutriBullet Treviso – Lavrio Megabolt | 12/1 | 18/1 | TBA |
| Lenovo Tenerife – Pinar Karsiyaka | 12/1 | 18/1 | TBA |
| Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem – Prometey | 12/1 | 18/1 | TBA |
*if necessary
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League