By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The first part of Round 1 of the Basketball Champions League Qualification Stages has been completed and we have the first teams that advanced to the next phase of the competition.
Swiss League champions Fribourg Olympic pulled off a major upset by beating Avtodor Saratov 78 – 76 on the road to advance in the next stage, behind 18 points by Dusan Miladjan. The first game had ended 89 -89 but Saratov didn’t manage to get the win at home.
Nizhny Novgorod faced absolutely no problem to rout Porto 92 – 49 and advance since the score was already 86 – 85 for the Russian team.
In Aarhus, Denmark, Bakken Bears prevailed over Leicester Riders 103 – 84 and qualified to the next stage. Ryan Evans, Darko Jukic and Tylor Ongwae scored 14 points apiece.
Lukoil Levski doubled its wins over Siauliai for an imposing 170 – 144 aggregate score, behind 20 points, five rebounds and four assists by Patrick Rembert.
Despite a big effort by Tsmoki Minsk and a 90 – 73 win over Polski Cukier Torun, the latter’s 87 – 61 victory in Game 1 got the Polish team the ticket to the next round.
“Too easy” was probably what Aris Thessaloniki said after beating Dinamo Tbilisi 92 – 54. Two wins for the Greek club in this phase.
Karhu Basket pulled off an 80 – 74 road win over CSM CSU Oradea thanks to a 19 – 7 partial score in the last period. It was more than enough to send them through the next phase.
Frank Gaines had 26 points, five rebounds and five assists leading Cantu to a 90 – 71 win over Szolnoki Olaj and a next-round ticket.
Estudiantes advanced despite the 71 – 69 home loss to Norrkoping Dolphins since they had escaped the first game with a 72 – 64 win.
A team effort helped Donar Groningen to rout Z mobile Prishtina 80 – 55 and move them another step closer to the Groups.
Last, but not least, Telenet Giants Antwerp also got the ticket to the next round thanks to a 76 – 55 victory over AEK Larnaca. Jae’Sean Tate posted a double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds.
Photo: FIBA