By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The pain for those falling short of initial goals typically combines with underdogs exceeding expectations, adding that special excitement and entertaining sports fans all around the world. Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, is a prime example.
Since the league’s introduction at the top of the 2016-17 season, expanding the continental playing field to undervalued markets has presented the opportunity for many clubs all around Europe to either bounce back in style from a dormant status or to start an entirely new trend of success. The 2025-26 installment, even before the completion of the Regular Season, has produced more unexpected wins for teams against more experienced and established opponents, confirming once more the unparalleled competitiveness of the BCL.
With the second half of Gameday 5 and Gameday 6 coming up after the international break to complete the six-game schedule of the Regular Season, and thus shape the next rounds, Eurohoops reviews breakout team performances.
From Greece with love
The eighth Greek team to the Champions League, Karditsa Iaponiki, had a tough act to follow. Following in the footsteps of the previous Greek clubs, including a former champion in AEK, would be a challenge from the start, after being drawn in Group G opposite defending champion Unicaja, lasting BCL original Filou Oostende, and fellow newcomer Mersin Spor. Several injury setbacks also added to the demanding challenge. However, the team coached by Nikos Papanikolopoulos is on the verge of earning a second opportunity to reach the Round of 16 via a best-of-three Play-In series.
An away win versus Oostende in the first-ever European fixture in team history was followed up by a later home win against the Belgian champions. Behind a two-game distance from fourth place, a home win against Mersin or Oostende, falling to Unicaja on December 9, would get the job done. A more unrealistic scenario can be the top seed. Nevertheless, very few expected Karditsa at such a prominent spot with two games left in the double-legged round-robin schedule.
The French streak
In theory, Karditsa can beat Mersin and then prevail in Malaga, and get some help to finish first in Group G, but Elan Chalon is already there in Group B, looking to get the job done down the stretch of the Regular Season. Returning to the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe after playing in the 2017-18 Regular Season, the French side is dominating with a 4-0 record. When set to face ALBA Berlin, ERA Nymburk, and Sabah, such a W-L tally for the team coached by Elric Delord initially seemed unlikely.
After surviving the Qualifiers and upsetting UCAM Murcia, the streak continued with a win in Berlin’s Uber Arena in Gameday 1 of the Regular Season. Another road win against Nymburk, and two wins over Sahah followed. Therefore, the last two games are in Le Colisee opposite ALBA on December 9 and Nymburk on December 16. A perfect Regular Season is certainly attainable, which would also mean a direct ticket to the Round of 16.
Hungary and Slovakia
In Group F, a lasting original in AEK and a seven-time participant in VEF Riga were drawn against NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz and Patrioti Levice, with the Hungarian outfit returning after nine years and the Slovakian outfit being the first team from the country in the Regular Season, following a brilliant run in the Qualification Rounds. Naturally, most expected the experienced sides to demonstrate their advantages, and that has been the case with the Queen, but the Latvian club is down 0-4.
With two games left, Olaj and Levice are tied at 2-2, destined to continue in the Play-Ins, barring a massive turnaround in the crunch time of the Regular Season. Both will be on the road in Gameday 5 and at home in Gameday 6, looking to add to their respective win columns.
The Serbian impact
Spartak Office Shoes emerged as the fourth Serbian side in the BCL Regular Season, and already clinched the second seed in Group H. Dreamland Gran Canaria confirmed projections about securing the top seed, but the team based in Subotica overpowering both Le Mans and SL Benfica, with one game in hand, was rather unexpected. Regardless of the remaining Gameday 6 results, the team coached by Vladimir Jovanovic will have homecourt advantage in a best-of-three Play-In series in January.
Two wins against Benfica and one against MSB, combined with two losses versus undefeated Gran Canaria, Spartak built a 3-2 record, enough to mathematically place second before visiting Antares on December 16.