By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
All eight groups of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season are at the midway point of the six-game schedule, minus one postponed contest in Group F. This week produced plenty of exciting action in nine venues and three more sides going up to 3-0. Protecting the home court was a theme across the board.
Adding to the early success of French clubs, SIG Strasbourg delivering a stunning performance against Pinar Karsiyaka was the third win in as many outings in Group E. Belgium champions Filou Oostende defeating EWE Baskets Oldenburg lifted Dario Gjergja to second place on the list of winningest head coaches in the league.
Another team coming in from Betclic Elite, JDA Dijon took command of Group B with a 3-0 tally, leaving Promitheas second. Also, Rytas blew out Czechia champion Opava.
At 3-0 in Group H, Bertram Derthona Tortona got away with a home win against Igokea m:tel. UCAM Murcia improved to 2-1 behind a spectacular win opposite Tofas.
PAOK mateco edging out Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem generated a favorable tie-breaker on top of Group G. Galatasaray Ekmas matched Benfica in third place.
In a delayed Group F matchup, Hapoel Holon went up to 2-0 with a win over Rio Breogan behind closed doors in Riga.
Regular Season Week 5 recap
Group A
1. Unicaja 6 (3-0)
2. Le Mans 4 (1-2)
3. Falco Vulcano Szombathely 4 (1-2)
4. Peristeri bwin 4 (1-2)
Group B
Rytas – Opava 99-63
JDA Dijon – Promitheas 88-80
1. JDA Dijon 6 (3-0)
2. Promitheas 5 (2-1)
3. Rytas 4 (1-2)
4. Opava 3 (0-3)
Group C
1. Lenovo Tenerife 5 (2-1)
2. Darussafaka Lassa 5 (2-1)
3. Cholet 5 (2-1)
4. VEF Riga 3 (0-3)
Group D
1. AEK Betsson 6 (3-0)
2. King Wilki Morskie Szczecin 4 (1-2)
3. Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 4 (1-2)
4. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 4 (1-2)
Group E
SIG Strasbourg – Pinar Karsiyaka 80-65
Filou Oostende – EWE Baskets Oldenburg 88-83
1. SIG Strasbourg 6 (3-0)
2. Pinar Karsiyaka 5 (2-1)
3. Filou Oostende 4 (1-2)
4. EWE Baskets Oldenburg 3 (0-3)
Group F
Hapoel Holon – Rio Breogan 84-79
1. Telekom Baskets Bonn 5 (2-1)
2. Hapoel Holon 4 (2-0)
3. Rio Breogan 4 (1-2)
4. Bursaspor Info Yatirim 2 (0-2)
Group G
Galatasaray Ekmas – Benfica 98-78
PAOK mateco – Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 79-77
1. PAOK mateco 5 (2-1)
2. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 5 (2-1)
3. Galatasaray Ekmas 4 (1-2)
4. Benfica 4 (1-2)
Group H
UCAM Murcia – Tofas 115-89
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Igokea m:tel 91-84
1. Bertram Derthona Tortona 6 (3-0)
2. UCAM Murcia 5 (2-1)
3. Tofas 4 (1-2)
4. Igokea m:tel 3 (0-3)
– Top team of each group advances directly to the Round of 16
– Teams ranking second and third in each group move to the Play-Ins
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL