By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The top four teams from all four Basketball Champions League Regular Season groups advanced to the Round of 16. The best-of-three series format is set to be formally introduced with the top two teams of each group holding the home-court advantage. It’s time for the playoffs with eight openers on Tuesday and Wednesday
Eleven countries are represented with Turkey sending three clubs into the playoffs, two of which were drawn together. Spain has three teams as well. Greece comes in with two, while the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belgium, Germany, France, Russia, Israel, and Italy round up the field with one apiece.
Breaking down Round of 16 Game 1 affairs:
Iberostar Tenerife – Filou Oostende
Without Regular Season star Shevon Thompson following his knee surgery, Filou Oostende faces a tough challenge in the form of Iberostar Tenerife. The 2017 champions have been here before and succeeded, have also gained the home-court advantage for the best-of-three series versus the Round of 16 newcomers. At the domestic league level, Txus Vidorreta has guided his team to 14-7 in ACB, while Dario Gjergja’s Belgian outlet is 12-4 in the EuroMillions Basketball League.