

Bizkaia Bilbao Basket opened their Basketball Champions League campaign with a commanding 97-86 victory over Slavia Prague ERA NBK at the Bilbao Arena. The Spanish side used a balanced offensive attack and a decisive third-quarter run to pull away from the Czech champions, securing an important first win in the group phase.
Match Overview
The opening quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets early. Bilbao looked to establish their inside presence through Icelandic center Tryggvi Hlinason, while Slavia countered with quick ball movement and three-point shooting. The hosts held a narrow 48-44 lead at halftime, but the game was still very much in the balance.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Bilbao came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, forcing several Slavia turnovers and converting them into transition points. A 12-0 run midway through the period broke the game open, and the Spanish side took a 76-62 lead into the final frame.
Key Moments
- Third-quarter surge: Bilbao's 28-18 advantage in the third quarter, sparked by back-to-back steals and fast-break dunks, effectively decided the contest.
- Perimeter defense: After allowing Slavia to hit six first-half three-pointers, Bilbao tightened up on the perimeter, limiting the visitors to just 2-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc in the second half.
- Clutch free throws: Bilbao converted 14 of their 16 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter to keep Slavia at arm's length.
Tactical Story
Bilbao's pick-and-roll game was the backbone of their offense. Guards Melwin Pantzar and Sacha Killeya-Jones repeatedly attacked the basket, drawing help defenders and creating open looks for shooters. The hosts also dominated the glass, out-rebounding Slavia 41-29, which gave them extra possessions and limited the Czech team's second-chance opportunities.
Slavia Prague relied heavily on their outside shooting and transition game. When those shots stopped falling in the second half, they struggled to generate offense in the half-court. Their defense also had no answer for Bilbao's interior passing, as the Spanish side repeatedly found cutters behind the defense.
Standout Players
Tryggvi Hlinason led Bilbao with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, controlling the paint on both ends. Melwin Pantzar added 16 points and 7 assists, while Sacha Killeya-Jones chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. For Slavia, their shooting guard finished with a game-high 22 points, but he received little support after halftime.
Season Impact
This win gives Bilbao Basket a valuable 1-0 start in the Basketball Champions League group stage. With a tough road game coming up, the Spanish side will look to build on this performance. Slavia Prague falls to 0-1 and will need to regroup quickly, especially with their home opener on the horizon. The head-to-head record between these two teams now favors Bilbao, who will be confident if they meet again later in the competition.