As the 2026-27 EuroLeague season tips off on September 24, coaches and players across Europe are weighing in ahead of Round 1. From Dubai Basketball’s entrance against Real Madrid to Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv’s second season and Crvena Zvezda preparing for Zalgiris Kaunas in Belgrade, the opening slate brings high-stakes tactical adjustments.
Dubai Basketball and Real Madrid Face Off in Round 1 Opener
Dubai Basketball is set to host Real Madrid at 18:00 CEST on Thursday, September 24.
Xavi Pascual, Dubai head coach, highlighted the team’s preparation approach ahead of the fixture. “So excited to start the competition. The team is ready. Now let’s see how the game will go, but we are ready for the beginning of the season. We prepare a little bit different [for each team], for all the teams we are adjusting after the games, but basically, we know exactly what we have to do [against Real Madrid]. We are going to play against one of the greatest teams in the competition. We know how difficult it’s going to be. We respect the opponent very much, but also us, we play at home and we have to put full energy with our supporters and to be ready to fight for the game until the end. I don’t know exactly how it’s going to go, but I know that I feel extremely comfortable, and at the same time, I feel that it’s the time to do it. It’s the time to win,” Pascual stated.
Reinforcing this mindset, Dubai guard Dwayne Bacon pointed to the roster’s offseason conditioning. “We got a lot of new guys, but we’ve been putting in a lot of work. We had a few preseason games where we were kind of up and down, just trying to figure it out. In all those games, we were competitive, but ultimately it came down to the small details that other, more experienced teams had. But we’ve been putting in a lot of work, and I’m excited for the start of the new season. The way we ended the season last year here was amazing. And I think it’s just going to keep picking up. We’re going to keep getting [people] to come in and watch us play. And that’s the goal, to fill [the arena] up every night,” Bacon explained.
On the opposing bench, Real Madrid head coach Pedro Martinez emphasized the grueling nature of the 38-game calendar. “We’re starting from scratch, without thinking too much about what happened before. We know this is an extremely difficult competition for everyone. To begin with, there are 38 games, and every team goes through good and bad stretches throughout the season. We saw that last season. With so many games, it’s very difficult for any team to maintain a really high level consistently. So, we have to be mentally prepared, because if you’re not properly prepared, both individually and as a team, things can happen, and we’ve seen plenty of results that might come as a surprise. We have to prepare well, each of us individually, to bring our best. We know that every game on the road is especially tough, but the same goes for home games. We’re playing against good teams every night, so we have to be ready,” Martinez noted.
Real Madrid forward Mikael Jantunen added perspective on early-season momentum. “It’s always nice to win a trophy, and it’s a good way to start the season. I think it gives you extra belief that the work we’ve been putting in over the first couple of weeks is paying off. We just have to keep doing that, and we have a chance to be very successful,” Jantunen said.
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv and Bayern Munich Prepare for 18:00 CEST Clash
Simultaneously at 18:00 CEST, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv takes on FC Bayern Munich as Hapoel embarks on its second season at this tier of European competition.
Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel head coach, addressed the roster upgrades made by their German opponents over the summer. “We are excited to begin our second season in the EuroLeague and to face another challenging opponent at this level. Bayern Munich have added players with EuroLeague experience over the summer, bringing a lot of quality and talent to their roster. We know what kind of challenge awaits us, and we need to approach the game with the right mentality, focus, and seriousness. We want to be competitive, play our basketball, and give our best effort from the first minute. Starting a new EuroLeague season is always special, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” Itoudis remarked.
Hapoel guard Elijah Bryant echoed his coach’s focus on execution. “We are excited to start our second EuroLeague season and to compete at this level once again. Bayern Munich are a very good team with a lot of quality, and we know we will need to be ready from the first minute. We have been working hard, and our focus is on staying together, playing with intensity, and executing our game plan. We want to start the season on the right foot, compete for 40 minutes, and give our best effort,” Bryant stated.
Bayern Munich head coach Anton Gavel laid out a clear mandate for his squad’s tempo. “The start is of course important, to pick up a few wins. We want to play aggressively on both ends of the court and play a touch faster,” Gavel noted.
Bayern center Johannes Thiemann highlighted the unique style of European competition following his stint abroad. “I’m looking forward to playing in the EuroLeague again. My time in Japan was very instructive, but I missed EuroLeague basketball — the intensity of European basketball, the basketball IQ. The EuroLeague is, of course, packed with good teams that share the same goal,” Thiemann shared.
Crvena Zvezda and Zalgiris Kaunas Set for Belgrade Battle
Rounding out the initial Round 1 preview coverage, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade prepares to host Zalgiris Kaunas at 20:00 CEST.
Ibon Navarro, Crvena Zvezda head coach, underscored the cultural weight of playing basketball in the Serbian capital. “Basketball in Belgrade is more than a sport. It’s a kind of culture, a passion, a leitmotif… It’s something much more,” Navarro observed.
