By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The first week of the BCL Regular Season didn’t disappoint. We saw thrilling games, many coming down to the wire, with a mix of surprises, historic achievements, offensive excellence, and defensive masterclasses.
Home teams largely capitalized on the support of their fans, but several visitors also returned home with their heads held high after grabbing valuable road wins — always a strong statement to open the season.
The only game that went into overtime was between Oostende and Karditsa, where the Greek side prevailed 95–93 on the road, leading the group of victorious visiting teams that also included Tenerife (84–78 over Trapani), Chalon (81–76 at Alba Berlin), Gran Canaria (98–61 against Benfica in Lisbon), and AEK Athens (69–53 over VEF Riga) with a dominant defensive display.
But above all, the first week belonged to the defending champions — Unicaja came out firing. Despite significant roster changes, Ibon Navarro’s team cruised past Mersin 97–66, delivering a statement win in their first outing since last season’s triumphant Final in Athens.
It’s also worth noting that debutants Spartak Subotica marked their long-awaited return to the international stage — more than 20 years later — with a dramatic 74–73 victory over Le Mans, thanks to Olivier Hanlan’s clutch plays down the stretch.
In conclusion, the opening week was one to remember, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling Basketball Champions League season.
Week 1 schedule
Group A
Promitheas Vikos Cola – MLP Academics Heidelberg 89-83
Rytas – Legia Warszawa 93-85
1. Rytas 2 (1-0)
2. Promitheas 2 (1-0)
3. Heidelberg 1 (0-1)
4. Legia 1 (0-1)
Group B
ERA Nymburk – Sabah 93-65
ALBA Berlin – Elan Chalon 76-81
1. Nymburk 2 (1-0)
2. Chalon/Saone 2 (1-0)
3. Alba Berlin 1 (0-1)
4. Sabah Baku 1 (0-1)
Group C
Joventut Badalona – Cholet 91-73
Hapoel Netanel Holon – Bursaspor 84-74
1. Joventut 2 (1-0)
2. Hapoel Holon 2 (1-0)
3. Bursaspor 1 (0-1)
4. Cholet 1 (0-1)
Group D
Tofas – Bnei PenLink Herzliya 90-86
Trapani Shark – La Laguna Tenerife 78-84
1. Tenerife 2 (1-0)
2. Tofas 2 (1-0)
3. Bnei Herzliya 1 (0-1)
4. Trapani 1 (0-1)
Group E
Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets – Trieste 78-63
Galatasaray MCT Technic – Igokea m:tel 94-82
1. Wurzburg 2 (1-0)
2. Galatasaray 2 (1-0)
3. Igokea 1 (0-1)
4. Trieste 1 (0-1)
Group F
VEF Riga – AEK 53-69
NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz – Patrioti Levice 84-54
1. Szolnoki Olaj 2 (1-0)
2. AEK Athens 2 (1-0)
3. VEF Riga 1 (0-1)
4. Levice 1 (0-1)
Group G
Unicaja – Mersin Spor 97-66
Filou Oostende – Karditsa Iaponiki 93-95 OT
1. Unicaja 2 (1-0)
2. AS Karditsas 2 (1-0)
3. Oostende 1 (0-1)
4. Mersin SK 1 (0-1)
Group H
SL Benfica – Dreamland Gran Canaria 61-98
Spartak Office Shoes – Le Mans 74-73
1. Gran Canaria 2 (1-0)
2. Spartak Subotica 2 (1-0)
3. Le Mans 1 (0-1)
4. Benfica 1 (0-1)