MIES, Switzerland (ChatnewsTV) — The Basketball Champions League (BCL) finalized its 32-team Regular Season lineup for the 2024-25 campaign on Sunday, following the conclusion of four Qualification Round Tournaments in Antalya, Türkiye. The four coveted spots were claimed by perennial Portuguese champions SL Benfica, Czech champions ERA Nymburk, reigning BCL champions Telekom Baskets Bonn, and Turkish debutants Aliaga Petkimspor.
Benfica secured their place for a third consecutive season by defeating Swiss champions Fribourg Olympic 91-85 in the final of Tournament 1 on Saturday. “It’s an honor to represent Portugal once again on the European stage,” said Benfica coach Norberto Alves. “We know the challenge that awaits us, but we are ready.”
ERA Nymburk, 19-time Czech champions, returned to the BCL after a one-year absence by overcoming a 13-point deficit to beat Estonian champions Kalev/Cramo 80-66 in the final of Tournament 2. “Last season was tough, but this victory shows our resilience,” Nymburk captain Vojtech Hruban said.
On Saturday, Aliaga Petkimspor made history by defeating seasoned BCL competitor PAOK mateco 79-69 in the Tournament 3 final. “This is a monumental moment for our club,” said Petkimspor coach Can Sevim. “We are excited for our first-ever appearance in this prestigious competition.”
The final team to join the Regular Season was Telekom Baskets Bonn, the 2022-23 BCL champions, who secured a 78-71 victory over Italian side Banco di Sardegna Sassari. A dominant third-quarter performance helped the German team claim their place. “We feel at home in the BCL, and we are eager to defend our title,” said Bonn coach Roel Moors.
With the field now set, the 2024-25 BCL Regular Season will feature teams from 16 countries, reinforcing the competition’s pan-European identity. The tournament will begin on October 1, with 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.
The Regular Season draw had taken place in June, with placeholders for the four teams that emerged victorious from the Qualification Rounds. Each group’s top team will advance directly to the Round of 16, while second- and third-placed teams will compete in the Play-Ins for the remaining spots.
2024-25 Basketball Champions League Groups:
Group A: Hapoel Netanel Holon (ISR), Igokea m
(BIH), Nanterre 92 (FRA), FIT/One Würzburg Baskets (GER)
Group B: Unicaja (ESP), Filou Oostende (BEL), King Szczecin (POL), Aliaga Petkimspor (TUR)
Group C: La Laguna Tenerife (ESP), Pinar Karsiyaka (TUR), Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (FRA), Kolossos H Hotels (GRE)
Group D: Galatasaray (TUR), Promitheas Patras (GRE), RASTA Vechta (GER), ERA Nymburk (CZE)
Group E: AEK Betsson BC (GRE), VEF Riga (LAT), Maccabi Ramat-Gan (ISR), Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER)
Group F: Rytas Vilnius (LTU), Falco Szombathely (HUN), Pallacanestro Reggiana (ITA), WKS Slask Wroclaw (POL)
Group G: BAXI Manresa (ESP), Bertram Derthona Tortona (ITA), NINERS Chemnitz (GER), SL Benfica (POR)
Group H: UCAM Murcia (ESP), Peristeri Domino’s (GRE), Manisa Basket (TUR), FMP SoccerBet (SRB)
As the action tips off, the battle for European basketball supremacy promises to be as intense as ever.
