Caledonian wrestler entered Basketball Champions League (BCL) the qualifying rounds, where they stand as the only British team in the competition this season. This marked the club’s first foray into its history of competing in an official European Championship.
24 teams will join the competition’s qualifying round, and will compete for the bottom three spots in the BCL regular season, joining the 32 teams already confirmed as participants.
In the qualifying rounds, the Caledonian Gladiators will be joined by a handful of European basketball newcomers and veterans from countries across the continent. The familiar name for British fans of the game will be the Danish Bakken Bears – a team that has previously faced the six-time champions of the British Basketball League, Leicester Ridersin competition.
The preliminary draw for the playoffs and the regular season will take place at Patrick Bowman Basketball Arena on Wednesday, July 5th. The Caledonian Gladiators’ opponents for the competition will be revealed, with the ceremony broadcast live on Wednesday. www.championsleague.basketball.
News of the Caledonian Gladiators’ move to the Basketball Champions League is one of the biggest in Scottish basketball history and has been a big part of Steve and Allison Timoney’s plans since joining the club as owners last year.
With a new arena on the horizon, Playsport is set to be home to Scotland’s first European basketball club since Livingston competed in the FIBA European Champions Cup in the 1989-90 season. The club will join fellow British Basketball League teams Bristol Flyers, Newcastle Eagles and London Lions as British clubs prepare for European competition this coming season – with the Eagles and Flyers competing in the European Northern Basketball League (ENBL), the Lions are expected to enter European competition again this summer.
The qualification rounds begin on September 25, and end on October 1, when the final clubs’ qualification for the regular season is confirmed.
Sean Skelly, General Manager, Caledonian Gladiators, said:
“Securing our place in the Basketball Champions League is testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. We have fought relentlessly to earn this opportunity, and we now intend to become a regular feature in Europe over the coming years.”
Gladiators coach Gareth Murray added:
“Competing in the Basketball Champions League playoffs is a dream come true for our team and fans alike. It is an opportunity for our players to compete against the best and face teams of European origin. I am looking forward to this challenge.”
The Caledonian Gladiators women’s team has applied to compete in the Women’s European Cup and is awaiting information on their possible admission.
As the countdown to the new season continues, you can still get your hands on British basketball by following the league on social media or Heading over to our YouTube channel To relive the best moments from the past year!