AEK, PAOK learn FIBA Champions League fate
Greece’s remaining representatives in the FIBA Basketball Champions League have learned their fate as the competition shifts to the knockout rounds…
The knockout round path for AEK and PAOK has been carved in the FIBA Champions League, after the pair of clubs learned who they’ll face in the Round of 16 as well as their potential quarter-final opponents.
PAOK’s path will start with a clash against Aegean rivals Pinar Karsiyaka as the Greco-Turkish basketball rivalry will feature another installment come March. PAOK, who finished third in Group B, will face the runners-up in Group A knowing that a win over Pinar Karsiyaka iver the two legs will set-up a quarter-final meeting with the winner of the tie featuring UCAM Murcia and last year’s winners Iberostar Tenerife.
Meanwhile, AEK’s knockout round journey will start with a clash with Czech outfit CEZ Nymburk after the Enosi claimed third place in Group C. Nymburk, who tangled with Aris in Group D, narrowly missed out on top spot in the group as the Czech side was forced to settle for second after finishing with a level record with eventual group winners Besiktas. Should AEK overcome their Czech adversaries in the Round of 16, the Athenians will be on track to face the winner of the tie featuring Neptunas Klaipeda and SIG Strasbourg.
Games will be played over two rounds (6/7 March and 13/14) on head-to-head format, with the side with the highest combined points aggregates from the two games progressing to the quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals are schedule to take place over two rounds (27/28 March and 3/4 April), with the four winners of the quarter-final ties advancing to the Final Four (4-6 May). The location for the Final Four will be announced after the completion of the quarter-finals, while an additional draw will determine the semi-finals.
FIBA Champions League Round of 16 Draw Results
1st leg: 6/7 March
2nd leg: 13/14 March
Note: Team listed second hosts the return leg.
PAOK (GRE) v Pinar Karsiyaka (TUR)
Nanterre 92 (FRA) v Banvit (TUR)
AEK (GRE) v CEZ Nymburk (CZE)
EWE Baskets Oldenburg (GER) v MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (GER)
Stelmet Enea Zielona Gora (POL) v AS Monaco (FRA)
medi Bayreuth (GER) v Besiktas Sompo Japan (TUR)
UCAM Murcia (ESP) v Iberostar Tenerife (ESP)
Neptunas Klaipeda (LTU) v SIG Strasbourg (FRA)
FIBA Champions League Round of 16 Draw Results
1st leg: 27/28 March
2nd leg: 3/4 April
Note: Team listed second hosts the return leg.
Winner of Nanterre 92/Banvit v Winner of Stelmet Enea Zielona Gora/AS Monaco
Winner of PAOK/Pinar Karsiyaka v Winner of UCAM Murcia/Iberostar Tenerife
Winner of AEK/CEZ Nymburk v Winner of Neptunas Klaipeda/SIG Strasbourg
Winner of EWE Baskets Oldenburg/MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg v Winner of medi Bayreuth/Besiktas Sompo Japan