By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Starting this year’s Basketball Champions League Round of 16 from where they interrupted last year’s success, Telekom Baskets Bonn took over a reinforced Galatasaray to get up in Group J, next to MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. This week, the two German powerhouses face off for the lead of their group.
Two hours before the German clash, one between Galatasaray and JDA Dijon will seek its first victory on such a stage, just like Tofas Bursa and SIG Strasbourg in Group I. The surprising Cholet Basket, which made it to this year’s Basketball Champions League through qualifiers, will square off against Unicaja.
Two-time champs of Lenovo Tenerife, dragged by mastermind Marcelinho Huertas, will go up against Peristeri, who needs to bounce back from the thrilling loss against Hapoel Jerusalem. Speedy Smith and teammates, instead, look to extend their lead in Group K by hosting Pinar Karsiyaka in Belgrade.
Finally, closing things up for this week’s preview in Group L, AEK wants to restart from parting ways with Joan Plaza and incorporating Ilias Zouros on its bench. The black-and-yellow Greek team will travel to Hungary to face Hapoel Holon, while UCAM Murcia is set to host the dangerous Promitheas.
Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Week 2
Group I
Cholet Basket 2 (1-0)
Unicaja 2 (1-0)
SIG Strasbourg 1 (0-1)
Tofas Bursa 1 (0-1)
Tofas Bursa – SIG Strasbourg (31/01 at 18:00 CET)
Cholet Basket – Unicaja (31/01 at 19:00 CET)
Group J
Telekom Bonn 2 (1-0)
MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 2 (1-0)
JDA Dijon 1 (0-1)
Galatasaray Ekmas 1 (0-1)
Galatasaray Ekmas – JDA Dijon (30/01 at 18:00 CET)
Telekom Bonn – MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (30/01 at 20:00 CET)
Group K
Lenovo Tenerife 2 (1-0)
Hapoel Jerusalem 2 (1-0)
Peristeri 1 (0-1)
Pinar Karsiyaka 1 (0-1)
Hapoel Jerusalem – Pinar Karsiyaka (31/01 at 20:00 CET)
Lenovo Tenerife – Peristeri (31/01 at 21:00 CET)
Group L
UCAM Murcia 2 (1-0)
Promitheas 2 (1-0)
AEK Athens 1 (0-1)
Hapoel Holon 1 (0-1)
Hapoel Holon – AEK Athens (30/01 at 18:00 CET)
UCAM Murcia – Promitheas (30/01 at 20:30 CET)
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League