Benfica from Portugal kicked off their Champions League qualification campaign with a victory over Geneva from Switzerland, finishing 87-78. The game unfolded with quarter scores of 25-17, 20-21, 17-17, and 25-23. Key contributors for Benfica included Muhammad with 19 points, Brussard adding 13 points and 6 rebounds, Slater and Dzeva each scoring 12 points, with Dzeva also grabbing 5 rebounds. For Geneva, Johnson led the scoring with 26 points, while Kalu posted 11 points and 9 rebounds, and Floyd also scored 11 points.
The team coached by Ainars Bagatskis got off to a strong start in the Champions League qualifiers.
In another close contest, Rasta Vechta edged past Denizli 101-98, with quarter scores of 24-20, 19-17, 34-28, and 24-33. Elder-Davis topped the scoring for Rasta Vechta with 26 points, supported by Playss who contributed 25 points and 9 rebounds, and Kuse with 21 points. Denizli’s efforts were led by Bailey with 33 points, Mix with 21 points and 6 assists, and Pekarski who added 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Promitheas secured a 92-82 win against Vienna, with the quarters ending 16-19, 28-16, 23-30, and 25-17. For Promitheas, Williams scored 25 points, Coleman had 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Nicholas contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. Vienna’s top performers were Shirfield with 23 points and 5 assists, Stazic with 15 points, and Ndje who posted 13 points and 10 assists.
In the matchup between Manisa and Kolossos, Manisa triumphed 91-79 with quarter scores of 26-21, 17-20, 23-29, and 25-9. Leading Manisa were Reese with 18 points, Barna with 16, Davis with 15, and Cluff who added 15 points along with 13 rebounds. Kolossos was led by Manjon and Kamperidis, each scoring 15 points, and Cruzer with 13 points.
The upcoming fixtures for the next qualification round are set as follows:
Benfica will face Rasta Vechta, while Manisa will take on Promitheas.
