MUNICH (Germany) – The Second Round of the FIBA Europe Cup commences on Tuesday, with eight Quarter-Final spots as the prize.
The 16 remaining teams will be separated into four groups, with the top two advancing as the stakes intensify with a straightforward goal: becoming FIBA Europe Cup champions.
Group K
Tofas Bursa, Casademont Zaragoza, FC Porto, Maroussi BC
Why will Tofas Bursa advance?
Tofas Bursa leads the competition in points per game - putting up 97.7 points on average in their six games, with wins in all six. The FIBA Europe Cup newcomers have signaled their intentions, and could be set for a deep run if they can maintain their strong form.
Key player: Marcquise Reed
Why will Casademont Zaragoza advance?
Casademont Zaragoza impressed in the Regular Season, landing into the Second Round with a 5-1 record and top spot in Group B. Averaging 90.3 points in the six games played and putting 106 points on an aggressive defensive side such as Bursaspor will make them hard to stop for anyone.
Key player: Santi Yusta
Why will FC Porto advance?
FC Porto enjoyed their underdog story last season by reaching the Quarter-Finals, but they will have their work cut out for them going into the Second Round against two high-scoring teams and a strong Maroussi side. Max Landis is enjoying his return after spending last season on the sidelines, averaging 15.5 points per contest but they will need him to shine if they are to progress.
Key player: Max Landis
Why will Maroussi BC advance?
Tipped to perform well this season, Maroussi BC has the big names and one of the most influential point guards in the competition with Elvar Fridriksson. But two losses in the Regular Season have shown signs of vulnerability within this talented Greek squad and they will need to shake that off and focus if they are to stand any chance of booking their ticket to the Play-Offs.
Key player: Elvar Fridriksson
Group L
Cholet Basket, Banco di Sardegna Sassari, Bilbao Basket, ESSM Le Portel
Why will Cholet Basket advance?
The former runners-up are dangerous offensively and conceding just 74.2 points per game is solid. But coming up against team-orientated sides like Bilbao Basket and Sassari will stretch the French side in this round as they will need to step up their performances into something special. They have the talent to do it, but individual efforts won't get the job done from here on out.
Key player: Bastien Vautier
Why will Banco di Sardegna Sassari advance?
2019 champions have settled back into FIBA Europe Cup life seamlessly, with six wins from six in the Regular Season and numerous offensive weapons at their disposal. Led by Giovanni Veronesi, averaging a team-high 12.4 points, and Eimantas Bendzuis at 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, they are just two players who have stood out in a team effort so far this season.
Key player: Eimantas Benzuis
Why will Bilbao Basket advance?
Like Sassari, Bilbao has also played as a team during the Regular Season, with multiple players who can step up on any night. Melwin Pantzar is an all-round force for the Spanish side, leading the team in efficiency at 15.9, with Kristian Kullamae leading the scoring at just 12.3 points, showcasing that the team shares the load.
Key player: Melwin Pantzar
Why will ESSM Le Portel advance?
Kristers Zoriks has been outstanding and a key component in ESSM Le Portel's passage to the Sound Round, averaging 13.3 points and 3.3 assists per game. And with Bilbao and Sassari strong favorites to advance, Le Portel will see this stage as a chance to be free of pressure. They will play with nothing to lose and everything to gain, so we could see a dangerous side if that is the case - with an all-French battle also intriguing.
Key player: Kristers Zoriks
Group M
CSM CSU Oradea, BC Kalev/Cramo, PAOK mateco, JDA Bourgogne Dijon
Why will CSM CSU Oradea advance?
Oradea have been an exciting team to watch throughout the Regular Season, only dropping one game when their qualification to the Second Round was already assured. They are a match for anyone on their day, and led by crafty veteran Kris Richard, they will fancy their chances of a fairytale Play-Off run - maybe repeating their Semi-Finals venture of previous years.
Key player: Kris Richard
Why will BC Kalev/Cramo advance?
The Estonian giants have shown that they don't panic and remain together when their backs are against the wall. They have produced some big-time performances that have led them to the Second Round with a 5-1 record and will not look to make up the numbers in this group.
Key player: Kasper Suurorg
Why will PAOK mateco advance?
One of the pre-tournament favorites coming in, the Greek powerhouse impressed in the Regular Season, with the exception of a surprise heavy loss to Porto. Led by the formidable duo of Devonte Upson and Sharvar Reynolds, can they be stopped again?
Key player: Devonte Upson
Why will JDA Bourgogne Dijon advance?
Dijon has been a free-scoring team in the Regular Season - putting up a competition-high of 118 points against BC Trepca to rank third in scoring at an average of 94.6 points per game. Their high-octane offense will cause problems against their opponents.
Key player: Christian Sengfelder
Group N
Spirou Basket, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, Anwil Wloclawek, Fribourg Olympic
Why will Spirou Basket advance?
They pipped Maroussi BC to top spot in Group G with a 5-1 record, showing heart and passion in all six games. Led by first-year professional Cobe Williams - who averages 14.3 points per game - and Yordan Minchev’s 12 points and 5.8 rebounds, the Belgian side has earned their right to be in the next phase of the FIBA Europe Cup, and have momentum on their side heading into the next phase.
Key player: Cobe Williams
Why will MHP RIESEN Lugwigsburg advance?
The German side suffered a surprise slip-up in Scotland against Caledonia Gladiators, but their home form has been sensational - winning all three games by an average of almost 20 points. They will look to use that form as a fortress, and if they can repeat their form from the Regular Season, they will be hard to stop.
Key player: Justin Simon
Why will Anwil Wloclawek advance?
Anwil have experience in lifting the coveted FIBA Europe Cup trophy, winning it in 2023. But last season, they suffered an almighty collapse by failing to make it out of the Regular Season, something they have rectified this term. They have the players that can get them beyond this stage, with Justin Turner, a solid all-round offensive weapon, averaging 13.7 points, Kamil Laczynski and Luke Nelson effective playmakers, but may need more to take them to the final eight.
Key player: Kamil Laczynski
Why will Fribourg Olympic advance?
The Swiss team is stacked with experience, but this is a close group to call, and Fribourg will need that experience and pedigree in order to go any further in the competition. In the evergreen Eric Nottage, they boast a consistent scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game on 47 percent shooting - along with 5.8 assists - but in this talented pool, they will need to play above the underdogs tag.
Key player: Eric Nottage
FIBA