Giannis Askounis
Reinforcements made a theme for multiple Basketball Champions League teams during the international break
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Basketball Champions League Regular Season is set to resume in four of the eight groups. Following the fifth week of action in early November and the international break centered on the latest batch of 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Week 6 will be played Tuesday and Wednesday. Gameday 4 for groups A, B, C, and F.
Among the teams adding new players, UnaHotels Reggio Emilia signed Beka Burjanadze. Andrea Cinciarini has been on board since the 2021-22 season and this season dished out at least ten assists in the first three games of Group B. Another similar sharing display would make him the first player with ten or more dimes in four straight BCL games. His side will play host to Pinar Karsiyaka Tuesday.
One day later, Telekom Baskets Bonn will face AEK at home Wednesday, in another key fixture of the four-team group. Erupting for more than 25 points over the top half of the double-legged round-robin schedule, T.J. Shorts has been the top performer. The next step can be evolving into the first-ever player pouring over 25 points for four straight showings in the history of the competition.
In Group A, SIG Strasbourg handed over the reins to Luca Banchi. The Italian mastermind will return to the Champions League with a challenge on the road opposite Tofas Bursa and is keen on guiding the French outfit clear of a fourth loss in a row on the road. Besides the new head coach, Kaspars Berzins was picked up as injury relief with Ike Udanoh sidelined.
Currently tied with Strasbourg at top of the group, UCAM Murcia will welcome Falco Vulcano Szombathely in Palacio de Deportes. The Hungary champions carry a five-game losing streak playing away from home into the fixture coming up Wednesday. The game at Tofas Nilufer Spor Salonu will be held Tuesday. Similar to Group B, only one win separates all four sides flexing their muscles in Group A.
Joe Ragland is the player to watch in Group C, packing 18.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per contest so far. The only player averaging over 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds this season. Looking for a 3-0 start, Hapoel Atsmon Holon and the quality guard will be in Istanbul to face Galatasaray Nef Wednesday. Filou Oostende will square off against Legia Warszawa Tuesday.
The Group F leader, Baxi Manresa has prevailed by a margin bigger than 15 points in the last five BCL games at home, completed plenty of moves in the last couple of weeks, and is coming off a huge domestic win against Cazoo Baskonia. Up next is SL Benfica Tuesday. Wrapping up the schedule, Limoges CSP and VEF Riga will battle it out in Beaublanc Wednesday.
Group A
Tuesday
Tofas Bursa – SIG Strasbourg (18:00 CET)
Wednesday
UCAM Murcia – Falco Vulcano Szombathely (20:30 CET)
Standings
1. UCAM Murcia 5 (2-1)
2. SIG Strasbourg 4 (2-1)
3. Tofas Bursa 4 (1-2)
4. Falco Vulcano Szombathely 4 (1-2)
Group B
Tuesday
UnaHotels Reggio Emilia – Pinar Karsiyaka (20:30 CET)
Wednesday
Telekom Baskets Bonn – AEK (20:00 CET)
Standings
1. Telekom Baskets Bonn 5 (2-1)
2. Pinar Karsiyaka 5 (2-1)
3. AEK 4 (1-2)
4. UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 4 (1-2)
Group C
Tuesday
Filou Oostende – Legia Warszawa (20:00 CET)
Wednesday
Galatasaray Nef – Hapoel Atsmon Holon (18:00 CET)
Standings
1. Hapoel Atsmon Holon 6 (3-0)
2. Galatasaray Nef 5 (2-1)
3. Filou Oostende 4 (1-2)
4. Legia Warszawa 3 (0-3)
Group D
Standings
1. Surne Bilbao 6 (3-0)
2. Igokea m:tel 4 (1-2)
3. Bahcesehir Koleji 4 (1-2)
4. ERA Nymburk 4 (1-2)
Group E
Standings
1. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 6 (3-0)
2. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 5 (2-1)
3. Darussafaka 4 (1-2)
4. Bakken Bears 3 (0-3)
Group F
Tuesday
Baxi Manresa – SL Benfica (21:00 CET)
Wednesday
Limoges CSP – VEF Riga (20:30 CET)
Standings
1. Baxi Manresa 6 (3-0)
2. Benfica 5 (2-1)
3. VEF Riga 4 (1-2)
4. Limoges CSP 3 (0-3)
Group G
Standings
1. Unicaja 6 (3-0)
2. JDA Dijon 5 (2-1)
3. PAOK mateco 4 (1-2)
4. Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 3 (0-3)
Group H
Standings
1. Peristeri bwin 5 (2-1)
2. Lenovo Tenerife 5 (2-1)
3. Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya 4 (1-2)
4. Rytas Vilnius 4 (1-2)
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League
