By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With two games left in the groups that have action this week, the Basketball Champions League regular season is near its end and it’s going to be hot in the middle of December. With three teams already securing a spot in the next phase and only Unicaja out of them staying unbeaten and playing this week, everything else is still up for grabs.
In Group D, Surne Bilbao would win the group and qualify for the Round of 16 with a win over Bahcesehir College. However, the Turkish side can still hope even without getting the “W”. On the contrary ERA Nymburk would be eliminated with a defeat to Igokea, so Nymburk with only one win so far is fighting for their life, thankfully for them playing at home.
In Group G, the duel between MHP Riesen and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem will decide who will win the group and qualify directly to the Round of 16. The hosts need a win just by one point to make it, however, Hapoel needs not only to beat the Germans but also do it by 10 or more points. Meanwhile, Bakken Bears are hosting Darussafaka and are fighting for their lives, since a defeat means elimination.
In Group G, Unicaja has already secured the top. So Dijon here is the center of interest. If the French side beats Sassari and if PAOK loses to Unicaja, then Dijon wins homecourt advantage in the play-in. On the other end of the spectrum, Sassari would lose any hope of qualifying if Dijon beats them and PAOK prevails over Unicaja.
Last but not least in Group H, Tenerife can win the group and qualify for the Round of 16 by beating Peristeri. And if Rytas Vilnius beats at home Bnei Herzilya, then the Lithuanian side will also qualify for the play-ins having the home-court advantage.
Basketball Champions League Regular Season standings and Week 9 schedule:
Group A
Standings
1. y-SIG Strasbourg 9 (4-1)
2. UCAM Murcia 8 (3-2)
3. Tofas Bursa 7 (2-3)
4. Falco Vulcano Szombathely 6 (1-4)
Group B
Standings
1. y-Telekom Baskets Bonn 9 (4-1)
2. AEK 7 (2-3)
3. Pinar Karsiyaka 7 (2-3)
4. UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 7 (2-3)
Group C
Standings
1. Hapoel Atsmon Holon 9 (4-1)
2. Galatasaray Nef 8 (3-2)
3. Filou Oostende 7 (2-3)
4. Legia Warszawa 6 (1-4)
Group D
ERA Nymburk – Igokea m:tel (18.30 CET, 13/12)
Bahcesehir College – Surne Bilbao (18.00 CET, 14/12)
Standings
1. Surne Bilbao 7 (3-1)
2. Bahcesehir Koleji 6 (2-2)
3. Igokea m:tel 6 (2-2)
4. ERA Nymburk 5 (1-3)
Group E
Bakken Bears – Darrussafaka (18.00 CET, 13/12)
MHP Riesen – Hapoel Jerusalem (18.30 CET, 13/12)
Standings
1. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 7 (3-1)
2. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 7 (3-1)
3. Darussafaka 6 (2-2)
4. Bakken Bears 4 (0-4)
Group F
Standings
1. Benfica 9 (4-1)
2. BAXI Manresa 8 (3-2)
3. Limoges CSP 7 (2-3)
4. VEF Riga 6 (1-4)
Group G
PAOK – Unicaja (18.30 CET, 13/12)
Dinamo Sassari – JDA Dijon (20.30 CET, 13/12)
Standings
1. y-Unicaja 8 (4-0)
2. JDA Dijon 6 (2-2)
3. PAOK mateco 5 (1-3)
4. Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 5 (1-3)
Group H
Rytas Vilnius – Bnei Herzliya (18.30 CET, 14/12)
Lenovo Tenerife – Peristeri (20.30 CET, 14/12)
Standings
1. Lenovo Tenerife 7 (3-1)
2. Rytas Vilnius 6 (2-2)
3. Peristeri bwin 6 (2-2)
4. Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya 5 (1-3)
*Top team of each group advances to the Round of 16
*Second- and third-placed teams of each group advance to Play-Ins
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League