By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2025-26 Basketball Champions League Qualifiers began Friday (19/9) in Samokov, Bulgaria as 24 teams are divided into three Qualificarion Round Tournaments, looking to book a spot in the regular season
The Windrose Giants Antwerp tipped off the Qualification Round Tournament 2 action by beating CSM CSU Raiffeisen Oradea 79 – 71 on the road to advance to the semifinals.
Joel Murray scored 20 points and Andrew Funk had 16 points for the winning side that outplayed its hosts 30 – 12 in the third quarter to enter the fourth period with a 64 – 49 advantage. Oradea tried to come back but a 4-point play by Murray with the score 70 – 75 and 1:34 to play pushed his opponents back for good.
In Italy, Pallacanestro Reggiana downed KK Pelister Bitola 99 – 87. Kwan Cheatham led a balanced effort for the Reggiana with 20 points and five rebounds while Jayle Barford contributed 19 points plus five boards.
Kevin Bracy-Davis (20 points, six rebounds) and C.J. Wilson (18 points, five assists) stood out from Bitola.
A solid defensive performance for 30 minutes pushed Bursaspor Basketbol past Lowen Braunschweig 81 – 74. Bryant Crawford paced the offense for the hosts with 19 points and six assists.
Joshua Obiesie provided Braunschweig with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Hundreds of PAOK Thessaloniki fans traveled to Samokov and watched their beloved team defeat SC Derby 79 – 67. Five players scored in double figures from Jure Zdovc’s squad with Ben Moore (17 points, six rebounds) leading the charge.
Emir Hadzibegovic (15 points, five rebounds) was the top performer from SC Derby.
The Tournament 2 Semifinals:
PAOK Thessaloniki – Bursaspor
Pallacanestro Reggiana – Windrose Giants Antwerp
The winner of the tournament will qualify to the regular season and participate in Group C, together with Joventut Badalona, Hapoel Holon and Cholet.