By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Trapani Shark ranked second in the 2024-25 LBA UnipolSai Regular Season and will debut in European club continental competitions next season.
Only one year after the Sicilian club returned to the top-flight division of Italy, under the guidance o fItalian businessman Valerio Antonini, the first European experience will be in the Basketball Champions League, as confirmed by the team president on X.
“As of today, I have no doubt we will make our debut in the BCL. A competition that rightly rewards ranking in the domestic league. Unfortunately, this is forgotten by the Euroleague,” wrote Antonini on Tuesday evening.
“I consider EuroLeague a competition outside of real sporting values and merely an organized lounge to defraud participating clubs for the benefit of TAKEOVERS of the moment, without offering anything in return and with no prospects,” he continued, referring to Euroleague Basketball, “Low television ratings in Italy for the EuroLeague proves this.”
In addition to choosing the Champions League over the club continental competitions of Euroleague Basketball, namely the second tier in BKT EuroCup, Antonini also shared his opinion on the NBA Europe plans and the league based in North America collaborating with FIBA to expand into the Old Continent.
“I look forward to the NBA’s arrival to raise the level of the BCL and to have a trophy partly linked to history and partly to current results in every season. This is the only way to have an incentive to always strive every year and compete for the top positions,” he stressed.
Siamo qualificati , per la prima volta storica a Trapani, ad una competizione Europea. La Pallacanestro porterà squadre di livello, offrendo ai nostri tifosi un grande spettacolo. Dove ? Beh ad oggi non ho dubbi che sarà la BCL. Competizione che premia giustamente anche la…
— Valerio Antonini (@ValerioAntoPres) May 13, 2025
After securing the second seed on the LBA Playoff Unipol bracket with a 22-8 W-L tally in the Regular Season, the team coached by Jasmin Repesa is set for a best-of-five series opposite UnaHotels Reggio Emilia in the Quarterfinals.
2025 LBA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of five)
1. Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venice
2. Dolomiti Energia Trento – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
3. Germani Brescia – Trieste
4. Trapani Shark – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia
Semifinals (best of five)
Winners 1-2
Winners 3-4
Finals (best of five)
Winners of Semifinals
Photo Credit: YouTube