New Euroleague season

Barcelona against Skipper Bologna headlines the opening night of the Euroleague on Wednesday. Barça are early favourites in the eyes of many, although fans of Panathinaïkos fancy their team’s chances to successfully defend their title.

SCHEDULE: Euroleague 1st Group Phase

The 24 teams in the men's Euroleague have been divided in three groups for the first phase of the competition in home and away matches from October 9th to 13th. The top five of each group and the best No. 6 will qualify for phase two (26 February - 17 April) which will be divided in four groups.

The top team of each group will obtain their ticket to the final, which will take place in Barcelona from May 9-11. If two teams of the same nation qualify for the final, they will have to play each other in the semi-final.

GROUP A: If they go to the final, Barcelona will have the luxury of playing at home. They’ve signed Yugoslavia's Dejan Bodoriga from Panathinaïkos, and Italian guard Gregor Fucka from Fortitudo Bologne. On their path, they’ll cross swords with Benetton Treviso, the Italian champion led by American Tyus Edney. AEK Athens have not recruited as much and will rely on American Rodrick Blachney and Australia's John Rillie. Skipper Bologna is a strong team with Italy's international Gianmarco Pozzecco and young rising stars such as Carlos Delfino. Also in this group are Alba Berlin, Pau-Orthez and Cibona Zagreb.

GROUP B: The defending champion Panathinaïkos will face Maccabi Tel Aviv, 2002 finalists and 2001 Suproleague champions. Spanish champions Tau Vitoria, Saporta Cup winners Siena also feature. With Spanish basketball on the rise, Malaga has gained strength in order to reach at least the last 16. Also in the group Podogorica (YUG), Zalgaris Kaunas (LIT), and Ljubljana (SLO).

GROUP C: Virtus Bologna and Olympiakos are the favourites but smaller teams that could surprise include the new-look CSKA Moscow and French side Asvel. Newcomers Worclaw will rely on a blend of old and new with Anglo-American Danny Lewis and young American Randy Holcomb. Real Madrid, under the helm of Spain's national coach in Indianapolis, Javier Imbroda, have broken the bank to land players such as France's Alain Digbeu, American Derrick Alston and Spain's Alfonso Reyes. Also in this group Ulker Istanbul and Partizan Belgrade.