Wednesday Focus: Week 1
MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - The second edition of the FIBA Europe Cup got under way on Tuesday, but the three games were merely an introduction to the true basketball fest that will take place on Wednesday.
MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - The second edition of the FIBA Europe Cup got under way on Tuesday, but the three games on the opening day of the season were merely an introduction to the true basketball fest that will take place on Wednesday evening.
With 14 more games on the docket, there is plenty to be excited about for basketball fans of all tastes, but two games stand out from the rest as almost must-watch material.
First of all, French LNB Pro A leaders Nanterre 92 (FRA) will open Group D action at 18:30 CET on the road against Sopron (HUN), who have always been a tough nut to crack at the MKB Arena.
Later, at 20:30 CET, Brussels Basketball (BEL) will make their international debut at home in the Belgian capital against French side Elan Chalon (FRA) who not only hosted, but also took part in the FIBA Europe Cup Final Four last year.
All of the games, including these two, will be streamed FREE and live on youtube.com/FIBA - make sure you tune in!
Sopron v Nanterre 92 | 18:30 CET
The first FIBA Europe Cup campaign for Sopron ended already after the Regular Season last year, but the Hungarian club enters the season with higher expectations this time around.
Playing their first game at home, Sopron will test their readiness for the new season against perhaps the hottest team in the competition in Nanterre 92, who are still undefeated in the domestic championship this season.
Although Sopron aren't doing as well in the Hungarian Division A, now 2-2, home court advantage gives them reason for at least partial confidence.
The game will pit two top-level point guards against each other in a match-up that will very much decide the outcome of the game.
Nanterre’s Chris Warren is collecting 18.3 points and 7 assists per game so far in France, while his opponent Jay Threatt is averaging 14.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in Hungary.
It will be an historic day for Brussels Basketball, as the club will set one more important milestone by debuting on the international stage. Having only joined the Belgian topflight three seasons ago, echoes from then will very much be alive.
Back then, the Brussels club did not get affected by first-night jitters and earned two wins on the trot. Head Coach and Managing Director Serge Crevecoeur can only hope his side is ready for the challenge.
On the other hand, Elan Chalon know a thing or two about starting the competition on the right note. In fact, the French side began their FIBA Europe Cup journey to the Final Four with five straight wins last year.
This season, the French side won two and dropped two games in the domestic championship, with the 31-year-old sharpshooter Lance Harris being the main contributor.
The guard is averaging 15 points per game and has been hitting three-pointers at an excellent clip. Taking care of Harris will be one of the key tasks for the Belgian side defensively.
Meanwhile, led by American forward Jeremy Simmons, who is averaging 17.2 points and 6 rebounds, Brussels Basketball have got off to a 3-1 start in the Belgian EuroMillions Basketball League and will aim to continue their excellent play during their FIBA Europe Cup debut as well.