Cibona Zagreb was placed in the fourth pot of the BCL 2026/27 draw on July 8, 2026, at 12:30 PM (TSI) in the Patrick Baumann Basketball House in Mies, Switzerland. This draw opens the path for 32 teams in the group phase, and Cibona is preparing for possible match‑ups with clubs from the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain.
What was decided at the draw?
The draw defined four pots based on FIBA club and national rankings. Pot 1 includes AEK Betsson BC, Galatasaray MCT Technic and other top teams. Pot 2 brings ALBA BERLIN and French clubs. Pot 3 features BC Juventus Utena and other mid‑ranked squads. Pot 4, where Cibona Zagreb sits, contains BK Kvis Pardubice, Karditsa Iaponiki, BMA365 Bamberg Basket, Porto and Surne Bilbao. The event was streamed live on the Basketball Champions League YouTube channel.
How does the draw affect Cibona Zagreb?
Being in the fourth pot means Cibona will face opponents from pot 2, 3 or 4, depending on the random grouping. This could mean a clash with BMA365 Bamberg Basket from Germany or Porto from Portugal, both known for strong perimeter shooting and fast pick‑and‑roll actions. Coach Damir Mulaomerović must tweak tactics to exploit his solid paint presence and rebound control, while scorer Marko Šutalo should increase his 3‑point attempts.
What are the next steps before the regular season?
The regular season starts on October 6, 2026, with eight groups of four teams. The top two from each group go straight to the Round of 16, while third‑ and fourth‑placed teams play a play‑in. Cibona will have roughly two months of preparation, including friendlies and possible pre‑qualifying games (September 14‑20). During this window the club plans to test new rotations, especially on defense, to cut opponent assists and boost blocks in the paint.
What can be expected from Cibona in the group stage?
If Cibona finishes first in its group, it bypasses the play‑in and heads directly to the Round of 16. Statistically, the team posted an average 78.5 FG% and 34.2 points per game last season. With improved defense and better assist distribution, the scoring average could rise above 80. Every quarter matters; the first two quarters often set the game tempo, and Cibona needs to leverage its quick perimeter attacks.
How will fans follow the progress?
All draws and games will be streamed live on the BCL YouTube channel, and the club will post daily updates on its official website and Instagram. Zagreb fans can watch the live streams and join online polls that reveal the most popular tactics and players. Fan engagement on social media is expected to boost team morale during crucial moments.