By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joventut Badalona will welcome Hapoel Netanel Holon behind closed doors in Pavello Olimpic on Wednesday.
The decision was taken to guarantee the safety of the fans, as announced on Monday, with the club citing recommendations of local authorities and possible gatherings to protest.
Entering Gameday 5 of the Regular Season in Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, the team coached by Daniel Miret sits 4-0. Improving to 5-0 would clinch a berth in the Round of 16 as the top seed of Group C. At 2-2, the visitors are looking to retain their options for first place and also secure at least a spot in the Play-Ins.
So far in the 2025-26 installment of FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition, Hapoel Holon played all three home games in Szombathely’s Schaeffler Arena Savaria due to security concerns and visited Cholet at La Meilleraie in late October. In a similar approach, the remaining contest in a six-game schedule against Bursaspor is set to be held in Samokov’s Arena SamElyon on December 17. The situation in the likely progression to the next stage remains unclear.
On Friday, Badalona formally extended the contract of 25-year-old Henri Drell until January 19. Tallying 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per BCL game, the Estonian forward logged four more appearances to increase his total to seven, combined with last season at La Laguna Tenerife.
In addition to the Champions League, Ricky Rubio and his teammates have built a 5-2 record in Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season.