MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - After ESSM Le Portel booked the very first set of tickets to the Round of 16, two more teams could potentially follow suit after Wednesday's action.

Bakken Bears and Mornar Bar could clinch spots in the Play-Offs in Group K, while the list of teams in the elimination zone includes not only their group rivals Szolnoki Olaj and Tsmoki-Minsk but also Kataja Basket in Group I.

Group I: Kataja Basket (0-3) v Nizhny Novgorod (1-2)

After starting the Second Round with three losses in a row, Kataja Basket are officially in must-win territory now. In order to stay in the race for the only remaining ticket to the Round of 16 in Group I, the Finnish champions must get revenge against Nizhny Novgorod, who are in a bit of slump themselves. Losses to ESSM Le Portel and Istanbul BBSK have turned the Russian side's win against Kataja a distant memory.

Time: Wednesday, 17:30 CET
Key Matchup: Tim Williams v Stevan Jelovac
Previous Meeting: Nizhny Novgorod +9 (84-75)
Domestic Form: Kataja Basket defeated Salon Vilpas 87-85 on Friday but saw their four-game winning streak in the Finnish Korisliiga end with a 105-86 loss against Kouvot Kouvola. After their strong play of late, they rose to 2nd place in the standings with a 14-9 record. Nizhny Novgorod fell to 3-8 in the VTB League after being defeated 97-80 by CSKA Moscow. They are only 11th in the league table, but do have a couple of games in hand.
Permutations: Kataja Basket would be eliminated from contention for a place in the Round of 16 with a loss.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

Group K: Szolnoki Olaj (1-2) v Mornar Bar (2-1)

Szolnoki Olaj had the win in the bag in their first meeting against Mornar Bar, but wasted a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter and are now dealing with the consequences. There is a chance that the return fixture versus Mornar will be the last meaningful FIBA Europe Cup game for the Hungarian side, who would be eliminated if they lose and Bakken Bears defeat Tsmoki-Minsk. This scenario would be extremely favorable for the Montenegrins, who would consequently book a spot in the Play-Offs.

Time: Wednesday, 18:00 CET
Key Matchup: Kendrick Perry v Derek Needham
Previous Meeting: Mornar Bar +5 (73-68)
Domestic Form: Szolnoki Olaj got their fifth straight win in the Hungarian championship, defeating KTE-Duna 79-67 to stay atop the standings with a 14-2 record. Mornar extended their winning streak to five games in the ABA League with a 93-77 road win over Zadar, moving their marker to 10-7. They are currently ranked 4th in the championship.
Permutations: Mornar Bar would book a place in the Round of 16 with a win, providing Bakken Bears win against Tsmoki; Szolnoki Olaj would be eliminated with a loss against Mornar Bar if Bakken Bears also win against Tsmoki.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

Group J: Egis Kormend (1-2) v Demir Insaat (2-1)

Demir Insaat came away empty-handed from Hungary, being served a defeat by their other Group J rivals Alba Fehervar. However, the Turkish side got back to winning ways with a 78-75 win over Nevezis behind Erving Walker's long-range shooting. Meanwhile, things didn't go according to plan for the Gasper Potocnik-coached Kormend side the last time they stepped on the court in the FIBA Europe Cup, coming out flat 85-77 in the all-Hungarian clash against Alba Fehervar.

Time: Wednesday, 18:30 CET
Key Matchup: Eric Fanning v Vojdan Stojanovski
Previous Meeting: Demir Insaat +7 (79-72)
Domestic Form: Egis Kormend blew out Sopron 96-57 in the Hungarian championship and moved to 12-4 in the standings, keeping their grip on 2nd place in the table. Demir Insaat, 11th in the Turkish Basketball Super League with a 5-10 record, did not play in the domestic championship last weekend.
Permutations: Neither team can qualify for the Round of 16 nor be eliminated from contention yet.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA 

Group K: Bakken Bears (3-0) v Tsmoki-Minsk (0-3)

One of only two undefeated teams in the Second Round, Bakken Bears will try to keep the run going against Tsmoki, who they defeated by just a single point in Minsk. It is quite remarkable that the Danish champions have won three games in Group K by a combined margin of 6 points. On the other side of barricades, Tsmoki are still searching for their first win in the Second Round and could be eliminated if they don't find it soon enough.

Time: Wednesday, 18:30 CET
Key Matchup: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell v Devon Saddler
Previous Meeting: Bakken Bears +1 (86-85)
Domestic Form: Bakken Bears came up short 87-72 against the Danish Basketligaen leaders Horsens on Sunday, dropping to a 9-3 mark and down to 4th place in the standings. Tsmoki did not play in the VTB League last weekend. They have a 4-7 record and are ranked in 7th place.
Permutations: Bakken Bears would advance to the Round of 16 with a win, providing Mornar Bar also defeat Szolnoki Olaj; Tsmoki would be eliminated if they lose against Bakken Bears and Mornar Bar defeat Szolnoki Olaj.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

Group L: Donar Groningen (2-1) v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2-1)

Donar Groningen's win in Cluj-Napoca had the Dutch champions cruising in the express lane in Group L, but an unexpected loss to the previously winless Belfius Mons-Hainaut erased the lead they had in the standings. In the meantime, U-BT Cluj-Napoca have found momentum with wins over Belfius Mons-Hainaut and Keravnos and will be looking to undo the effects of their 4-point loss against Donar in the return leg.  

Time: Wednesday, 19:00 CET
Key Matchup: Jason Dourisseau v Lasan Kromah
Previous Meeting: Donar Groningen +4 (77-73)
Domestic Form: Donar Groningen registered their eighth win in a row in the Dutch Basketball League, downing Zwolle 75-60 to improve to a league-best 13-2 mark in the standings. U-BT Cluj-Napoca were handed an 86-70 defeat by CSU Sibiu in the Romanian championship, dropping to 12-3 but maintaining pole position.
Permutations: Neither team can qualify for the Round of 16 nor be eliminated from contention yet.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

Group L: Belfius Mons-Hainaut (1-2) v Keravnos (1-2)

After taking some time to get their first win in Group L, Belfius Mons-Hainaut jump-started their Second Round campaign with an 84-65 win over group leaders Donar Groningen. Meanwhile, Keravnos have now lost twice in a row following losses to Donar and U-BT Cluj-Napoca. Sharing a 1-2 mark in the standings, this has the potential to be an important crossroads moment for both teams.

Time: Wednesday, 20:30 CET
Key Matchup: Garlon Green v Mohamed Abukar
Previous Meeting: Keravnos +17 (89-72)
Domestic Form: Belfius Mons-Hainaut lost a 72-71 nail-biter against Basic-Fit Brussels and dropped to 4th place in the Belgian EuroMillions Basketball League with a 9-6 record. Keravnos suffered an 82-74 defeat against AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot championship, falling to a second-best 9-3 mark.
Permutations: Neither team can qualify for the Round of 16 nor be eliminated from contention yet.
Live Stream: YouTube.com/FIBA

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