Tuesday preview: Can Egis Kormend defeat Alba Fehervar for a Round of 16 spot?

SZEKESFEHERVAR (FIBA Europe Cup) - The all-Hungarian duel between Alba Fehervar and Egis Kormend is set to take center stage on Tuesday in the FIBA Europe Cup and could single-handedly resolve the situation in Group J.

Already through to the Round of 16, the Branislav Dzunic-coached Alba will have a chance to confirm the top spot in the standings in a home test against the visiting Play-Off hopefuls from Kormend, who are playing with a place in the next phase of the competition on the line.

The only game on the docket for Tuesday, it will be closely followed not only in Hungary but is also likely to receive more attention than usual in the western Istanbul suburb of Buyukcekmece.

The second-placed Egis Kormend, 3-2, are in direct competition with Demir Insaat, 2-3, for the only available vacancy in the Round of 16, but the ball is now in Hungarian hands, both literally and figuratively.

A win for Kormend in Tuesday's clash would eliminate the Buyukcekmece side from a top-half finish in the standings, while a slip-up would put them in a position of power ahead of their own game on Wednesday.

That is because Demir Insaat hold the head-to-head tie-breaker against coach Gasper Potocnik's side after winning the first game in Istanbul 79-72 and only losing in Kormend by 2 points.

Both teams would be in a solid position to challenge for any vacancies for top-ranked third-placed teams that could open up due to some Basketball Champions League opting out of FIBA Europe Cup but extra spots aren't open just yet and neither side would like to leave their fate to chance.

While the stakes are lower for Alba Fehervar, they too will have one key objective to accomplish. Having won the first game on the road in Kormend 85-77, they can secure the Group J crown either with a win or a loss no larger than 8 points.

Otherwise, Kormend could not only collect the only remaining ticket to the Round of 16 but also snatch the top spot in the standings from their Hungarian compatriots.

Group J: Alba Fehervar (4-1) v Egis Kormend (3-2)

Time: Tuesday, 18:00 CET
Key Matchup: Kasey Hill v Andre Hollins
Previous Meeting: Alba Fehervar +8 (85-77)
Domestic Form: Both teams celebrated wins in the Hungarian championship on Saturday, with Alba Fehervar clipping league leaders Szolnoki Olaj 89-88 in overtime and Kormend downing DEAC 100-93. With a 14-4 mark, the second-placed Kormend are one game ahead of Alba, who improved to 13-5 with a big time win at the weekend.
Permutations: Already through to the Round of 16, Alba Fehervar would clinch the top spot as long as they don't lose by more than 8 points. Egis Kormend would qualify for the Round of 16 with a win against Alba Fehervar or a Demir Insaat loss.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

FIBA