Karhu Basket – Ironi Ness Ziona

International - Champions League, Qualification, Quarterfinal

Karhu Basket was defeated in last season's domestic championship final by Helsinki Seagulls 4:2. However, the club from the capital decided not to compete in the FIBA Champions League qualifiers, so Karhu took their place. A few weeks ago, Finnish national team member Henri Kantonen left the club, signing with Lithuanian team Mazeikiai, further weakening Karhu Basket. Topias Palami and Shawn Hopkins are players with experience representing Finland, and they will play important roles this season. The team also signed four Americans (Horance Spencer, Malik Ellison, Tahj Eaddy, and Chris Brandon), but it will take time for them to get to know each other better and build chemistry.

Ironi Ness Ziona has positioned itself as one of the top six clubs in Israel. In the previous campaign, they reached the quarterfinals of the domestic championship, marking the fifth time in the last six years they've achieved this. During the summer, they recruited several quality foreign players. One of them is Vincent Edwards, who performed solidly last year for Gravelines. Isaiah Whitehead has been signed as the most notable addition, and veteran Demonte Harper is also now part of the team. They've retained Jerome Meyinsse as the starting center, and in the backcourt, they have Dusty Hannahs, a former Memphis Grizzlies player.

The difference in quality between these two teams is huge. The game is being played on neutral court in Turkey, where the FIBA Champions League qualifiers are held. Ironi Ness Ziona has the quality to hope for a win in this tournament and qualify for the group stage. The first task should be relatively easy. Their foreign players have incomparably more experience, having played basketball at a high level in their careers, while Karhu's team is composed of local players and foreigners with no international experience. Anything other than a clear win for the Israeli team would be a major surprise.