By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Four Basketball Champions League tickets are still up for grabs ahead of the final week of the Regular Season. AEK, Banvit, Besiktas Sompo Japan, Brose Bamberg, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, Iberostar Tenerife, PAOK, Promitheas Patras, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, Telenet Giants Antwerp, UCAM Murcia and Umana Reyer Venezia are already in. Eight other teams are hoping to confirm their participation in the February 8th draw next week.
Group C’s four playoffs spots are taken, but the same can’t be said for Group A, B and D. Three teams still hope for two Group A Round of 16 tickets, two more want the final Group B spot and three will go down the wire trying to advance through Group D. Prepare for every possible outcome.
Group A
Teams in the hunt
3. Sidigas Avellino 20 (7-6)
4. Le Mans 19 (6-7)
5. Nizhny Novgorod 19 (6-7)
Final game
Ventspils – Sidigas Avellino
MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg – Nizhny Novgorod
Le Mans – Anwil
The only group with two open playoffs spots has one very likely holder for one of the last-minute tickets, Sidigas Avellino. The Italians missed on their three previous chances to advance, but can secure their Round of 16 place next week with an away win over Ventspils. Even if they succumb to a fourth straight BCL defeat, they will qualify unless both Nizhny Novgorod and Le Mans score wins.
The Russians will play in Germany against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and the French Champions will host Anwil. If both grab the victory or both lose, Eric Bartecheky’s club will advance due to their one-point advantage in the 2018-19 two-game series in Group A.
Both Nizhny Novgorod and Le Mans will go through with wins in Gameday 14 accompanied by an Avellino defeat in Latvia. If only one of the two teams grab the “W”, then the winner and the Italians will advance.