By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv advanced directly to the Quarterfinals of the BKT EuroCup and awaits the next opponent. The winner of the Eighthfinals meeting between Dreamland Gran Canaria and Besiktas Emlakjet will face the Israel club in Vilnius next week.
The announcement regarding the relocation of the Quarterfinals fixture was made by Euroleague Basketball on Wednesday, a few hours before the attached game in Gran Canaria Arena.
Per the press release: “The BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals matchup D between Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and the winner of the Eighthfinals matchup between Gran Canaria and Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, will be played at Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Municipality of Vilnius has confirmed the possibility to host the game fulfilling all BKT EuroCup Regulations, including fans attendance.”
Similar to all Israeli clubs competing in various club continental competitions in Europe during the 2023-24 season, Hapoel Tel Aviv plays away from its home venue for security reasons. Ranking second in Group A behind a 13-5 record clinched a berth in the Quarterfinals with Gran Canaria and Besiktas lining up as potential opponents. Moving from being based in Belgrade in the Regular Season to the capital of Lithuania sets up the next challenge.
Both the Eighthfinal and Quarterfinals stages are played under a single-elimination format. The Semifinals will be contested in a best-of-three series with the higher-placed team in the Regular Season getting the homecourt advantage in each pairing. The same applies to the following championship series.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net