After topping its first round FIBA Europe League Group, Kyiv Basket kicks off the second round tonight against Antwerp’s Telenet Giants.
Kyiv Basket continues it sterling FIBA Europe Cup run tonight as the team kicks off second round action against Belgium’s Telenet Giants Antwerp at Kyiv’s Veneto Sports Palace (11B Heroiv Sevastopolya St.) at 19:00.
The defending Ukrainian SuperLeague regular season champions are in fine form this season, having topped its first round group over Poland’s Trefl Sopot, Israel’s Hapoel Eilat, and Bulgaria’s Rilski Sportist with a 4-2 record.
The team is also riding a five-game win streak in the SuperLeague, including a key win over Kyiv rival Budivelnyk, who sits one spot better than Kyiv Basket in second place.
Kyiv Basket will debut its newest addition against Antwerp – American Jordan Swing, a 1.98 metre forward out of Western Kentucky.
Kyiv Basket will have to find an answer to Antwerp’s own American star, former NBAer Markel Brown.
One of the last 16 teams left in the Europe-wide league, the team continues its FIBA Europe Cup journey with home games against Italy’s Reggiana on 15 December and Germany’s Hakro Merlins Crailsheim on 12 January. Games are at 19:00 at Veneto Sports Palace.
“All three of our opponents can be called strong continental middle powers”, said head coach Ainars Bagatskis. “They have no clear advantages over us, nor do we over them. Very equal group. If by status, then the toughest should be Reggiana from the Italian league.”
The top two teams qualify for the FIBA Europe Cup quarterfinals.
The FIBA Europe Cup is Europe’s third-tier basketball competition, after the EuroLeague and FIBA Champions League.
Kyiv Basket currently sits in third place in the Ukrainian SuperLeague with an 11-4 record, behind Prometey (14-0) and Budivelnyk (13-4).
