Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi has prepared the stage for the next generation of international basketball stars when it hosts the second of a four-round calendar in the NextGen EuroLeague Qualifiers from February 27 to March 1 at Space42 Arena.
It will be a home round for the Under-18 Team Abu Dhabi which is among eight of the world's most prestigious youth teams in a bid to secure a spot at the season-ending finals in Athens.
The tournament also represents a significant moment for UAE basketball, with Dubai Basketball also featuring prominently in Group A. This marks the third campaign for the Dubai outfit, who will be looking to build on their previous experiences in the competition and improve upon their eighth-place finish in Ulm last season.
The presence of two local teams highlights the rapid growth of the sport within the Emirates, as Abu Dhabi continues its successful run as a world-class host for the EuroLeague's premier scouting and development platform.
Defending continental champion U18 Zalgiris Kaunas and record winner U18 Real Madrid headline the tournament, with the winner securing a place at the adidas NextGen Finals during the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens, Greece, this May.
The remaining teams competing in Abu Dhabi are U18 Aris Thessaloniki, AS Monaco, London Lions and Valencia Basket. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has already qualified for the Finals after winning the first round in Ulm, Germany.
Winners of Abu Dhabi and the next rounds in Bologna (March 13–15) and Belgrade (March 20–22) will also advance to Athens.
The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, playing a round-robin format within their groups. The top teams from each group will meet in the first-place game on Sunday, March 1, while placement games will determine the final standings.
The challenge for the local sides remains formidable.
Group B sees Abu Dhabi drawn against Kaunas, a Lithuanian powerhouse that has participated in every single season of the competition since its inception in 2003. They are joined by Valencia Basket, making their tenth appearance, and the debuting London Lions.
Meanwhile, Dubai faces a daunting task in Group A against the record-breaking U18 Real Madrid, who boast five continental titles and are looking to reassert their dominance after a rare stumble last season. The Group A field is completed by the storied Greek side Thessaloniki and Monaco.
With global scouts and basketball dignitaries expected to descend on the Space42 Arena, the event offers an unprecedented opportunity for the young talents of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to test their mettle against the future stars of the EuroLeague.
