MUNICH (Germany) - The 2024-25 FIBA Europe Cup season draws nearer, and clubs from across the continent are ready to take center stage in the Qualifiers.
Here's a quick-fire guide to everything you need to know before the campaign.
When do the Qualifiers begin?
The format for the Qualifiers returns to a home-and-away series, and the ties will take place on September 24 and 27, with the seeded teams playing the second leg at home.
What are the pairings?
Pairing 1: JDA Bourgogne Dijon (FRA) vs BC Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) Pairing 2: Sporting CP (POR) vs Spirou Basket (BEL) Pairing 3: Alba Fehervar (HUN) vs BC Prievidza (SVK) Pairing 4: BC Dnipro (UKR) vs CSM Constanta (ROU) Pairing 5: Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) vs Visit Malta Starlites Naxxar (MLT) Pairing 6: BC Peja (KOS) vs Maroussi Basketball Club (GRE) Pairing 7: Bilbao Basket (ESP) vs Neptunas Klaipeda (LTU) For a full list of the clubs announced for this season's FIBA Europe Cup, click here.
JDA Bourgogne Dijon (FRA) vs BC Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
French side JDA Bourgogne Dijon head into this season looking to make an instant impact in the FIBA Europe Cup following their third French Cup title triumph in April. They will be led by David Holston, whose veteran leadership will be key to Dijon's path toward the Regular Season.
Standing in their way, though, is Croatian outfit BC Dinamo Zagreb. They have undergone a minor change this season, with Vanja Miljkovic taking over as head coach, replacing the departed Josip Sesar but have kept the majority of players from last season.
Sporting CP (POR) vs Spirou Basket (BEL)
Sporting CP suffered heartbreak in last season's FIBA Europe Cup, falling on the final gameday of the Second Round. Marcus LoVett has departed for China, but the Portuguese side will look to Nick Ward to lead the offense and take the team back to the Regular Season - and maybe beyond.
They face Spirou Basket, who come into the Qualifiers with an illustrious European pedigree, having participated in this competition four times previously and two appearances in the Basketball Champions League.
Fresh out of the NCAA with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Cobe Williams will be an exciting prospect in his first professional season with the Belgian team. A skilled guard who can score freely and run the floor masterfully will be one to watch.
Alba Fehervar (HUN) vs BC Prievidza (SVK)
Hungarian side Alba Fehervar returns to the FIBA Europe Cup. They did not make it past the Regular Season last year but are eager to make a name for themselves in this campaign.
They will be against BC Prievidza, who are making their first appearance in the FIBA Europe Cup since the 2016-17 season, when they reached the Round of 16.
The Slovakian side boasts a team of seasoned veterans, with the athletic duo Keith Jordan and CJ Jackson looking to lead the attack.
BC Dnipro (UKR) vs CSM Constanta (ROU)
Ukrainian powerhouse BC Dnipro returns to the FIBA Europe Cup fold after an absence of two seasons, only this season, they want to make it past the Qualifiers.
But CSM Constanta will be no pushovers and will certainly want to make a name for themselves in their first-ever FIBA Europe Cup showing.
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) vs Visit Malta Starlites Naxxar (MLT)
History will be made in this pairing as Naxxar becomes the first club team from Malta to ever compete in the FIBA Europe Cup. They face Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta, who also make their maiden appearance.
Perhaps one of the more intriguing ties of the Qualifiers as both teams look to make more history after this matchup.
BC Peja (KOS) vs Maroussi Basketball Club (GRE)
Kosovo's BC Peja will look to build on their showing last season on their return to the FIBA Europe Cup following a six-year absence. They failed to make it past the Regular Season but finished with a respectable 2-4 record.
But they face a stiff challenge in the shape of Maroussi, who will have some recognizable names on their roster and will fancy their chances of getting to the Regular Season. Among the stars are former Serbian international Miroslav Raduljica and floor general Elvar Fridriksson of Iceland.
Bilbao Basket (ESP) vs Neptunas Klaipeda (LTU)
No question that this is a heavyweight Qualifiers encounter between two sides with plenty of experience in European competition, with Bilbao Basket looking for something to prove.
The Spanish side made the Semi-Finals last season having made a 9-0 start to the campaign, before falling to eventual winners NINERS Chemnitz.
They have to get past Lithuanian side Neptunas Klaipeda first as they look to continue a strong history in European basketball, including the Basketball Champions League and EuroLeague.
What happens next?
The seven winners of the Qualifiers pairings will feed into pre-determined groups of the Regular Season, with the Draw having already taken place.
Where can I catch all the action?
Fans can follow all of the games in the Qualifiers via the official website, and selected games will be streamed live on the FIBA YouTube channel.
Don't forget to follow the FIBA Europe Cup on X and Instagram to stay up to date. FIBA