What are the biggest comebacks in FIBA Europe Cup Play-Offs history?
MUNICH (Germany) - The current edition of the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals saw all First Legs decided by double digits, but we all know it's never over until it's over in basketball.
MUNICH (Germany) - The current edition of the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals saw all First Legs decided by double digits, but we all know it's never over until it's over in basketball.
Seven of the nine seasons of the competition have operated with the aggregate format, so there is a large sample size when it comes to the history of Play-Offs action.
21-4: TEAMS ADVANCING WHEN WINNING THE FIRST LEG BY 10+ POINTS
There have only been four examples of teams advancing to the next phase when losing the First Leg by 10+ points, while Casademont Zaragoza's task is compounded by suffering the heaviest defeat in Play-Offs history after losing 98-64 at home to NINERS Chemnitz.
Fellow Spaniards Surne Bilbao Basket would also need to pull off a record-breaking turnaround if they are to make the Semi-Finals by overturning their 19-point deficit - this would surpass French side Le Portel's comeback from 17 points down against Dinamo Sassari in the 2017-18 season.
ERA Nymburk are 15 points adrift, and former champions Bahcesehir College trail by 10 as they look to add their names to an exclusive club. For the teams in front, they will be praying not to let the opportunity slip.
Qualifying rate of teams winning the First Leg: 69.4 percent
Qualifying rate of teams winning the First Leg by 10+ points: 84.0 percent
Le Portel celebrating their comeback in the 2017-18 season
Here are the five biggest turnarounds from First Leg deficits:
| SEASON | TEAM | OPPOSITION | DEFICIT | RESULTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 (Round of 16) | ESSM Le Portel (FRA) | Dinamo Sassari (ITA) | -17 | 72-55, 100-81 |
| 2017-18 (Round of 16) | Mornar Bar (MNE) | Oostende (BEL) | -13 | 84-71, 90-63 |
| 2016-17 (Quarter-Finals) | Oostende (BEL) | Enisey (RUS) | -12 | 84-72, 95-79 |
| 2016-17 (Round of 16) | Muratbey (TUR) | CSM CSU Oradea (ROU) | -10 | 82-72, 108-82 |
| 2022-23 (Semi-Finals) | Cholet Basket (FRA) | BC Kalev/Cramo | -7 | 80-73, 81-59 |
The biggest turnaround in a Play-Offs tie ultimately ended in defeat, but Alba Fehervar wiped out a 33-point First Leg deficit against Hapoel Holon in the 2016-17 season - forcing overtime in the Quarter-Finals tie before coming up short in a 170-164 aggregate loss.
13 of the 19 comebacks from First Leg deficits saw teams only trailing by 5 points or less, so history is not on the side of the current quartet that need to climb back from double-digit defeats.
But who do you think has the best chance of still going through?
*NOTE: The format included a best-of-3 series during the inaugural 2015-16 season, prior to a Final Four stage, while the 2020-21 season was played in a single-leg format in neutral venues due to the pandemic.
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