By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A Basketball Champions League week is ahead of us with eight games all around Europe, from Israel and Turkey to Greece, Italy and Spain. The sixteen clubs, others in a commanding position others not so much, know what they have to do in order to advance and take part in the quarterfinals, the final step before the 2019 Final Four. At the moment, they’re all one match away from becoming one of the eight best BCL teams this season.
The breakdown of the action to come:
Besiktas Sompo Japan – Nanterre 92
Nanterre 92 held its ground gaining a nine-point advantage in France. However, the rematch at the Besiktas Akatlar Arena provides a different challenge altogether. Despite chasing for almost forty minutes a week ago, Besiktas Sompo Japan is hoping to overcome the nine-point deficit and progress to the quarterfinals.
In the meantime, Pascal Donnadieu’s side defeated Levallois Metropolitans in Jeep Elite action. The Turkish club also went on a winning note beating Afyon Belediyespor on the road.
Segafredo Virtus Bologna or Le Mans awaits the winner of the two-game series between the Turkish and the French team. The former will settle their differences on Wednesday, a day after the match at Istanbul.
Umana Reyer Venezia – Nizhny Novgorod
The other Tuesday matchup features Umana Reyer Venezia and Nizhny Novgorod. Zoran Lukic’s side leaded by Kendrick Perry secured a 23-point advantage last week, which can go a long a way on terms of qualifying to the next stage.
The Russian club is coming off a home win versus Enisey Krasnoyarsk and will start the game at the Palasport Taliercio with a significant advantage, but can’t underestimate the host’s strength. Walter De Raffaele’s team also grabbed a weekend home victory beating Banco di Sardegna Sassari with Julyan Stone scoring 24 points.
Up next for the winner of the series will be UCAM Murcia or Telenet Giants Antwerp. The Palaciode los Deportes matchup will be played on Wednesday.