Three down, five to go: Who will qualify for the Play-Offs this week?
MUNICH (Germany) - After the first three teams opened the gates to the Play-Offs, five more clubs stand to clinch spots in the Round of 16 with favorable results on Gameday 5 of the Second Round.
MUNICH (Germany) - After the first three teams opened the gates to the Play-Offs last week, five more clubs stand to clinch spots in the Round of 16 with favorable results in the upcoming set of fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Alba Fehervar, Avtodor Saratov, Bakken Bears, Balkan Botevgrad, Ironi Ness Ziona, Pinar Karsiyaka could all secure top-two finishes in their respective groups to join Dinamo Sassari, Pallacanestro Varese and s.Oliver Wurzburg, who have already qualified.
However, after major upsets in last week's action, none of them ought to take qualification for granted, with other teams in the competition showing they have a bite in them despite being on the outside lane in the Play-Off race.
Group I
In action
Szolnoki Olaj v Z Mobile Prishtina (H2H: Prishtina +5, 81-76) s.Oliver Wurzburg v Pinar Karsiyaka (H2H: Wurzburg +9, 96-87) [/unordered]Permutations
s.Oliver Wurzburg have already qualified for the Round of 16; Pinar Karsiyaka would secure a top-two finish in the standings with a win or if Szolnoki Olaj beat Z Mobile Prishtina; Z Mobile Prishtina would no longer be in a position to contend for a top-two finish if they lose or Pinar Karsiyaka beat s.Oliver Wurzburg; Szolnoki Olaj are no longer in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings. [/unordered]Group J
In action
Balkan BC v Ironi Ness Ziona (H2H: Ness Ziona +27, 100-73) Lukoil Levski v Alba Fehervar (H2H: Alba +33, 89-56) [/unordered]Permutations
Alba Fehervar would secure a top-two finish in the standings with a win if Ironi Ness Ziona beat Balkan BC; Ironi Ness Ziona would secure a top-two finish in the standings with a win; Balkan BC would secure a spot in the Round of 16 if they swing the head-to-head tie-breaker in their favor against Ironi Ness Ziona and Lukoil Levski beat Alba Fehervar; Balkan BC would no longer be in a position to contend for a top-two finish if they lose and Alba Fehervar beat Lukoil Levski; Lukoil Levski are no longer in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings. [/unordered]Group K
In action
Donar Groningen v Petrolina AEK (H2H: Donar +22, 78-56) Pallacanestro Varese v Dinamo Sassari (H2H: Varese +3, 90-87) [/unordered]Permutations
Pallacanestro Varese have already qualified for the Round of 16; Dinamo Sassari have already qualified for the Round of 16; Donar Groningen are no longer in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings; Petrolina AEK are no longer in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings. [/unordered]Group L
In action
Bakken Bears v Kataja Basket (H2H: Bakken Bears +15, 104-89) Avtodor Saratov v ZZ Leiden (H2H: Avtodor +25, 97-72) [/unordered]Permutations
Avtodor Saratov would secure a top-two finish in the standings with a win; Bakken Bears would secure a top-two finish in the standings with a win, providing Avtodor Saratov beat ZZ Leiden; ZZ Leiden would no longer be in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings if they lose and Bakken Bears beat Kataja Basket; Kataja Basket would no longer be in a position to contend for a top-two finish in the standings if they lose. [/unordered]FIBA