In the opening weeks of the EuroLeague season, the United Arab Emirates-backed Dubai basketball team has entered the title contender conversation, according to league bookmakers reported by lasi.lv.
Dubai Roster Retains Core and Adds Proven Talent
Dubai management retained the core of its roster while securing key leaders from competing clubs, including Tornike Shengelia and Elie Okobo, as reported by lasi.lv. The team also appointed Xavi Pascual to lead the sideline. These moves have positioned the project for a projected spot in at least the quarterfinals. Despite ongoing regional security concerns involving Iran, the team continues to host its home fixtures in Dubai.
Dāvis Bertāns and Latvian Players Open EuroLeague Play
Dāvis Bertāns has stepped into a rotational role for Dubai, logging nearly 11 and 14 minutes respectively across the team’s first two fixtures while recording three points in each contest with a combined 2-of-5 shooting mark from beyond the arc, according to lasi.lv. Bertāns contributed three points, two rebounds, one foul, one drawn foul, and three efficiency rating points in roughly 13 minutes during a 94-87 home victory against Barcelona on September 29, 2026, without attempting any two-point shots or free throws. After the visitors claimed a two-point edge at the end of the opening period, Dubai engineered a 12-0 run at the start of the second quarter to seize the initiative before expanding the margin to 52-37 by halftime and holding a 76-62 advantage with ten minutes remaining. Bertāns converted his sole three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to push the score to 79-64, and although Barcelona subsequently narrowed the gap to 84-90, the comeback fell short. Mfiondu Kabengele led Dubai with 21 points and six rebounds, while Dwayne Bacon and McKinley Wright each added 14 points. Kevin Punter scored 25 points for Barcelona. Across the league, Rodions Kurucs represents Baskonia, which opened the campaign with two decisive losses and likely faces another season outside the top ten, though Kurucs is expected to secure a stable role in the rotation. Rolands Šmits and Artūrs Žagars also feature in the competition alongside a four-Latvian contingent from the previous season that additionally included Andrejs Gražulis two years prior.
Olympiacos Edges Žalgiris as Shaquille O’Neal Visits Kaunas
Pirejas Olympiacos secured a 93-91 away victory against Žalgiris on September 29, 2026, handing the Lithuanian club its first defeat of the season. Evan Fournier scored 19 points for the champions, Sasha Vezenkov added 18 points with eight rebounds, and Jean Montero recorded 15 points with seven assists. Sterlings Brauns paced Žalgiris with 20 points, Ąžuols Tubelis contributed 19 points, Carsen Edwards added 16 points, and Jonas Valančiūnas posted 11 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. The match drew considerable attention courtside as Shaquille O’Neal joined 15,000 fans and Arvydas Sabonis in Kaunas to sing and watch the action.
Anadolu Efes Halts Real Madrid in Istanbul
PJ Dozier paced the Turkish side with 18 points, Matthew Strazel contributed 14 points, Mike James and Jordan Loyd each scored 12 points, and Dario Šarić added ten points. Facundo Campazzo led Madrid with 16 points, Chuma Okeke chipped in 11 points, and Andres Feliz alongside Nick Smith each finished with ten points.
EuroLeague Second Round Results
The following matches took place during the second round of the EuroLeague regular season:
- Dubai 94, Barcelona 87 (September 29, 2026)
- Žalgiris 91, Olympiacos 93 (September 29, 2026)
- Anadolu Efes 94, Real Madrid 84 (September 29, 2026)
Bookmaker Title Favorites
Bookmakers list the two Greek heavyweights as the main title contenders: Panathinaikos Athens, featuring the return of tournament-record nine-time champion head coach Željko Obradović, and defending champions Olympiacos Piraeus, who captured their fourth title in the spring. Defending titleholders Fenerbahce Istanbul and Real Madrid follow closely before Dubai in the betting odds.
Previous EuroLeague seasons featured four Latvian participants last season and three participants the year before.
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