Ivan Février Shines With Lietkabelis After Early Return
French basketball players made a strong opening statement in the EuroCup this week, headlined by standout individual performances from Ivan Février, Sekou Doumbouya, and Gérald Ayayi, even as clubs like Le Mans and JL Bourg dropped their opening fixtures against Aris Thessaloniki and Napoli Basketball respectively. Among the most striking returns was that of Ivan Février, who immediately stepped back onto the floor for KK Lietkabelis despite club communications initially projecting a two-week absence due to injury. The former Le Portel power forward delivered a game-high 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting alongside 9 rebounds to lift his side past Bosna Sarajevo 75-72 on September 30, 2026.
The Lithuanian club nearly squandered a 14-point lead down the stretch before securing the victory at the very last second. Ognjen Jaramaz converted a dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer following an individual play initiated out of a pick-and-roll with Février. While Lietkabelis survived the collapse, Février’s scoring efficiency and rebounding anchored the frontline throughout the contest.
Sekou Doumbouya Delivers a Double-Double for Burgos
Seven years after his last EuroCup appearance with Limoges CSP, Sekou Doumbouya marked his return to the competition with a commanding double-double for San Pablo Burgos on September 30, 2026. Earning the start in an 85-81 victory over Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, the former NBAer finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, accumulating an 18-index rating in 22 minutes of action.
While Doumbouya controlled the glass, teammate D.J. Steward took over the offensive load down the stretch, finishing with a team-high 22 points to fend off the Slovenian visitors. On the opposing side, Cedevita coach Zvezdan Mitrovic deployed Cameron Houindo for 8 minutes off the bench, where he recorded 2 points and 1 rebound.
Gérald Ayayi Stars in Roma Debut Despite Defeat
Facing one of the tournament heavyweights right out of the gate, BC Roma SPQR fell 91-78 to Bahcesehir on September 30, 2026. Despite the double-digit loss, French international Gérald Ayayi authored a brilliant individual debut in his first EuroCup appearance, compiling 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block for a 21-index rating across 32 minutes.
Roma struggled to contain Bahcesehir’s balanced attack, which featured 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists from Damien Inglis alongside a game-high 29 points from Nico Mannion on 10-of-14 shooting with 5 assists. Ayayi kept his side competitive throughout, but the Italian club ultimately failed to maintain the pace against a deep Turkish roster.
Ulm French Trio Launches European Campaign With a Win
Rounding out a productive week for French contingents across the continent, Ulm’s French trio opened their European campaign with a convincing 98-84 victory over BC Balkan on September 30, 2026. The collective effort reinforced a strong opening week for French players abroad, countering the setbacks suffered by Le Mans and JL Bourg in their respective group openers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EuroCup Opening Week
When did the 2026 EuroCup opening week take place? The opening round of fixtures, including the games featuring Lietkabelis, San Pablo Burgos, and BC Roma SPQR, was played on September 30, 2026.
How did Sekou Doumbouya perform in his return to the competition? Playing for San Pablo Burgos against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, Doumbouya recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists in 22 minutes to secure an 85-81 victory.
What were Ivan Février’s statistics against Bosna Sarajevo? Returning ahead of schedule from a projected two-week injury absence, Février led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and added 9 rebounds in Lietkabelis’s 75-72 win.
How did Gérald Ayayi fare in his first EuroCup appearance? Despite BC Roma SPQR falling 91-78 to Bahcesehir, Ayayi posted 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 32 minutes of play.
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