Domestic cup action across Europe brought mixed results for EuroLeague teams. Some advanced to the finals, while others suffered early exits in a competitive and intense stretch of games.
Domestic cup season always creates chaos. One game, single elimination, no room for error. For EuroLeague teams, it’s both an opportunity and a trap.
On paper, 19 EuroLeague clubs entered nine different domestic cup competitions across Europe. In theory, it looks like 19 potential contenders. In reality, only 10 domestic cups were available — and in some countries, multiple EuroLeague teams were fighting for the same single trophy. That already limits the ceiling.
So how many EuroLeague teams could realistically win a title? Ten. Not 19. And even that number assumes every bracket breaks perfectly.
Six of the nine domestic competitions had the structural potential for an all-EuroLeague final. That requires at least two EL teams in the country — and for them to land on opposite sides of the bracket.
Spain, Greece, Serbia, Turkey, Italy, and Israel all had that possibility. But in reality, only two delivered an all-EuroLeague final.
Credit ACB Photo | M.Pozo
Upsets were the defining theme of this domestic cup season. Anadolu Efes were stopped before the final in Turkey, Partizan suffered a heavy semifinal loss to Mega in Serbia, and Virtus Bologna fell short in Italy despite a bracket that could have led to an all-EuroLeague final.
Bayern Munich, the only EuroLeague club in Germany, didn’t even reach the title game, absorbing a painful semifinal defeat to Bamberg.
In France, ASVEL and Paris were both eliminated early, leaving Monaco alone to carry the EuroLeague banner.
Spain was the clearest example of EuroLeague dominance done right. All four EuroLeague teams — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Baskonia and Valencia — reached the Copa del Rey semifinals.
That’s the absolute maximum possible outcome. No upsets. No early collapses. No surprises from outside the EuroLeague circle.
Copa del Rey Basketball
Spain delivered high-level drama in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid edged Valencia Basket 108-106 in a scoring battle.
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz eliminated FC Barcelona 70-67 in a tight contest. The final will now see Real Madrid face Baskonia, meaning two EuroLeague teams will battle for the Spanish crown.
Turkish Basketball Cup
In Turkey, both Fenerbahce Beko Istabul and Anadolu Efes reached the semifinal stage. Besiktas eliminated Anadolu Efes 91-82, while Fenerbahce beat Turk Telekom 86-78.
That sets up a final between Fenerbahce and Besiktas, with one EuroLeague side guaranteed a shot at the trophy.
Greek Basketball Cup
In Greece, the final featured two EuroLeague powerhouses. Panathinaikos Aktor Athens defeated Olympiacos Piraeus 79-68 to lift the Greek Cup.
It was another intense derby, but Panathinaikos controlled the game down the stretch.
Israeli Basketball Cup
In Israel, Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv had a strong run. They beat Hapoel Jerusalem in the semifinal and then dominated Bnei Herzliya 109-90 in the final to win the cup.
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv were knocked out earlier, losing in the quarterfinal to Hapoel Jerusalem.
Radivoj Korac Cup
Serbia saw Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade continue their dominance. They won their sixth straight domestic cup title after beating Mega Basket 106-84 in the final.
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade were stopped in the semifinal, falling 80-58 to Mega Basket.
French Leaders Cup
In France, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Paris Basketball both exited in the quarterfinals. ASVEL lost 93-82 to Cholet, while Paris fell 78-74 to JL Bourg.
AS Monaco responded strongly, beating Cholet in the semifinal to advance to the final, where they will face Le Mans.
Italian Basketball Cup
Italy had two EuroLeague teams in the semifinals. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan advanced to the final after a 106-102 win over Brescia.
They will meet Derthona in the title game. Virtus Bologna were eliminated in the semifinal by Derthona.
German Basketball Cup
In Germany, FC Bayern Munich were knocked out in the semifinal after a 103-97 loss to Bamberg. The final will be played between Bamberg and Alba Berlin.
King Mindaugas Cup
In Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas reached the final and will face their biggest rivals Rytas in another high-stakes clash.
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