SAMOKOV (Bulgaria) - Monday gifted us the first four official games of the year in the Basketball Champions League Qualification Round Tournaments, with QRT2 starting off the Round of 16 excitingly.
Manchester Basketball became the first-ever British team to win in the BCL Qualifiers' history, taking down Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets in a shocking outcome.
Tuesday gave us other surprising moments.
RASTA Vechta 101-98 Yukatel Denizli Basket
With 8:20 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, RASTA Vechta looked confident enough to progress to the Round of 16 in QRT2, leading by 13 points (82-69) against Yukatel Denizli Basket.
However, as these BCL Qualifiers have taught us, nobody should lose focus on the goal. The opponents from Türkiye indeed came back into action, and even tied at 95-95 with less than 50 seconds to play following a perfect trip to the line by Victor Bailey Jr.
The team's No. 10 had another dagger to keep the hope alive, but Denizli couldn't convert all the decisive buckets, losing 101-98 to the German side, that still kept their composure.
It was a fantastic vintage night for Tibor Pleiss, who showed leadership and character to provide an all-around skilled performance. RASTA's 36-year-old center had 25 points (5-of-7 from deep) and 9 rebounds, knocking down clutch free throws and gathering in an efficiency rating of 35.
He was followed by Justin Edler-Davis (26 points over 7-of-9 from three off the bench) and the captain, Tommy Kuhse (21 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds), who both contributed on getting to the Quarter-Finals on September 17 at 20:00 CET against SL Benfica.
Victor Bailey Jr had a marvelous 33-point losing effort, joined by John Meeks (21 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds) in Denizli's defeat.
SL Benfica 87-78 Lions de Geneve
Talking about avoiding unwanted shockers, another team with prominent BCL experience, Benfica, went close to suffering an unexpected defeat to start QRT2. Bringing grit and the right attitude from Switzerland, Lions de Geneve went close to the upset, but lost 87-78.
It took the Portuguese side impressive plays on both ends of the floor towards the end to continue their route in Samokov. With one minute to go, Daniel Relvao had one of his four blocks to close the paint, while Aaron Boussard converted on the other end to seal the deal.
Benfica, that will now play the Quarter-Finals against RASTA, were helped tremendously by Luther Muhammad's all-around game of 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Ty Johnson tried to keep his team in contention until the very end but his 26-point night wasn't enough to avoid the defeat for Geneve.
Promitheas Patras BC 92-82 BC Vienna
Several teams are trying to become the first ones out of their nation to be able to get to Season 11. Among them, BC Vienna have given their all to start a potential historic journey for Austrian basketball.
The Austrians had to go up against an experienced and well-seasoned team in the Round of 16 of the QRT2, and as time passed, Promitheas Patras BC were able to take control and come out with a 92-82 victory.
As the newest face in town - no pun intended - New Williams propelled Promitheas to the win with 25 points over 5-of-10 from downtown; Barra Njie's double-double (13 points and 10 assists) and Grant Sherfield's 23-point night weren't enough for Vienna.
The black-and-orange Greek team could have participated in a Greek derby for a spot in the Semi-Finals, playing the next round on September 17 at 17:45 CET. Instead, another stunner awaited everyone.
Biotekno Korfez Basket 91-79 Kolossos H Hotels BC
When Manisa Basket made their way into the 2024-25 Basketball Champions League Regular Season, they surprised everyone with impressive results and record-breaking nights like Saben Lee's 43-point party against FMP Belgrade.
Now that the Turkish team are known as Biotekno Korfez Basket, things may not differ as much.
At least, that's what they have started to show in the BCL Qualifiers, beating former BCL participant Kolossos H Hotels BC 91-79.
It was a very intense and close matchup between two of the most interesting teams to watch in QRT2, with 13 lead changes and the result being tied five times during the clash.
Korfez Basket made it to the Quarter-Finals pushed by five players ending in double-digits, including Oscar Cluff (15 points and 13 rebounds); on Kolossos' side, both Ezra Manjon and Georgios Kamperidis had 15-point losing efforts.