Runners-up Cholet Fourth place AEL Limassol | Third place Triumph Lyubertsy Teams 32 | |
Champions Virtus Bologna
1st title Duration 25 November 2008 – 26 April 2009 | ||
2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge was the sixth edition of Europe's third-tier level transnational men's professional club basketball FIBA EuroChallenge Tournament, and the first under the FIBA EuroChallenge name, organized by FIBA Europe. In the previous year it was known as FIBA EuroCup.
Teams of the EuroChallenge 2008–09
Contents
Format
In all there are 40 teams from 21 countries, plus sixteen unknown teams from the ULEB Eurocup 2008-09 first preliminary round and second preliminary round. The competition is jointly run by FIBA Europe.
First Qualifying Round
The competition starts from the first qualifying round. Thirty two teams will participate in this round. These teams will be paired in two-legged matches, with winners decided on two matches aggregate score. The eight winners advance to the second qualifying round, losers are eliminated. First matches will be played on October 14, while second on October 21–22.
Second Qualifying Round
Winners from the first round advance to the second qualifying round. Teams will played with each other, with all those teams from first qualifying round. Matches are also two-legged and decided on aggregate score, with the winners are advancing to the EuroChallenge Regular Season and the losers are eliminated. First matches will be played on November 4 and second on November 11.
Regular season
EuroChallenge Regular Season is the main phase of FIBA EuroChallenge tournament. Eight winners from the second qualifying round, eight automatic qualifiers and sixteen teams from 2008–09 Eurocup Basketball First preliminary round and Second preliminary round (eight losers from the first round and eight losers from the second). The teams are divided into eight groups of four teams each, with each group playing a double round-robin schedule. The first and second-place teams in each group advance to the Top 16. The Regular Season matches will be held from November 25, 2008 until January 13, 2009.
Top 16
As in the Euroleague and for the first time Top 16 will be held. The top two places from each group from the regular season will advance to the Top 16. There are four groups with four teams in each. The matches are also double round-robin. The top two places from each group advance to the Quarter Final Round. The matches must be played from January 27 to March 10, 2009.
Quarter Final Round
Eight winners from the Top 16 will play each other in quarter-final phase. The games will be played in a best-of-three playoff series (third game will be played if necessary). The quarter-final winners advance to the Final Four. First and second games will be played on March 17 and March 19, third game will be played on March 25 (if necessary).
Final four
The Final Four is the culminating stage of EuroChallenge, in which the quarter-final winners play in a knockout tournament. The winning semifinalists advance to the final, while the losers play a third-place game immediately before the final. The Final Four winner becomes 2008–09 FIBA EuroChallenge champion, and also receives an automatic berth in the 2009–10 Eurocup Basketball (although it is possible that the team may qualify for the Euroleague through its domestic league).
The Final Four was held at Futurshow Station in Bologna, with the semifinals on April 24 and the third-place game and final on April 26.
Qualifying rounds
Thirty-two teams will participate in the first round and sixteen in the second.
Regular season
Regular Season begins from November 25, 2008.
Top16
The Top 16 phase begins from January 27, 2009.
Bracket
* if necessary
Final four
The Final Four will be the last stage of EuroChallenge 2008–09. The event will take place at the Futurshow Station, in Bologna.