It was a story of night and day for Unics Kazan. The Russian team lost the first leg of its series against Polish side Energa Czarni by 14 points, clearly lacking concentration in committing 25 turnovers and making just 12 of 23 foul shots. The return leg was an entirely different story as Kazan punished Czarni with an 89-50 thrashing as the team made just 10 turnovers and shot 55% from the floor. Marko Popovic nailed five three-pointers for a team-high 17 points after scoring five in the first leg. Unics will next take on Hapoel Jerusalem in the Second Qualifying Round - set for November 4 and 11.
Krstic, Other Big Names Not Enough For Triumph
When Nenad Krstic left the NBA's New Jersey Nets he must have thought his new team, BC Triumph, would go very deep in the Eurocup. But BASE BC Oostende ended those dreams by winning the return leg at home 81-68 after playing to a 78-78 tie in Russia and firing its coach Vlada Vukoicic between the games. Rashid Atkins tallied 26 points for Oostende and three players scored 14 for the Belgian side, which next faces Le Havre. And that means Krstic, Marcus Goree, Kerem Tunceri and Ognjen Askrabic will continue on in the Eurocup Challenge.
Panellinios Only Team to Sweep Both Games
Greek side Panellinios also advanced to the second round - and a date with BC Kyiv - by beating Telekom Baskets Bonn 85-70 in Germany. Djuro Ostojic paced five players in double figures with 14 points as Panellinios was the only team to sweep both legs of its series.
Galatasaray Hammer Siauliai
After playing to a tie game in Lithuania, the 2008 ULEB Cup semifinalist Galatasaray returned home and dominated Siauliai 94-63 thanks to 20 points from Milan Gurovic and 12 points and 14 rebounds by Dejan Milojevic.
Tartu Comeback Not Enough, Swans Advance
Estonian champion Tartu Rock had big hopes in this competition but lost the first leg against Allianz Swans by 22 points. And the Austrian side ended up advancing to the Second Qualifying Round as Tartu's 75-60 return leg victory was not enough. Tanoka Beard's 16 points paced four Tartu players in double figures but Deteri Mayes hit for 23 points as he was determined to let Swans not blow the big first leg victory. And Swans will next take on Red Star.
FMP, Labovic Down Amsterdam
FMP went the other way as Swans, losing the first leg but winning the return leg at home, beating MyGuide Amsterdam 83-67 to reverse a six-point loss in Holland. Dragan Labovic collected 22 points and eight rebounds and Nemanja Protic added 16 points for the Serbian winners, who will face Ural Great in the Second Qualifying Round.
ASK Riga Hold On Despite Loss
The final team to move into the next round was ASK Riga, which lost 75-73 at French side Cholet but advanced thanks to its 69-62 home win in the first leg. Bruno Sundov scored 26 points as four starters hit for double figures and combined for 65 points in the loss. The Latvian side Riga advanced to a second round date with Cajasol.
Benetton Fribourg With Bye
Benetton Fribourg, the first Swiss team to play in the ULEB Cup last season, had already booked its spot in the second round due to the last-minute withdrawal of first round opponent. Fribourg faces Gran Canaria in the second round.
