Azerbaijan's Sabah basketball club will host Turkey's Trabzonspor today, November 10, in the fourth round of the FIBA Basketball Champions League group stage, aiming to secure a second consecutive victory and improve their chances of reaching the playoffs.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the Group A encounter will take place at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, with tip-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
The two teams previously met in Trabzon on October 14, when the Turkish side claimed a convincing 100-83 victory.
The upcoming match carries particular importance for Sabah, who recovered from a difficult start to their European campaign. After losing their opening two games against Lithuania's Rytas (73-82) and Trabzonspor (83-100), the Azerbaijani champions ended their losing streak with an impressive 87-80 victory over France's Nanterre 92.
Sabah currently sit third in Group A with one win and two defeats, while Trabzonspor occupy second place, behind Rytas on tiebreakers.
Group A standings after three rounds:
1. Rytas – 5 points
2. Trabzonspor – 5 points
3. Sabah – 4 points
4. Nanterre 92 – 4 points
Under the competition format, group winners advance directly to the Round of 16, while the second- and third-placed teams enter the play-in stage. Therefore, the result against Trabzonspor could significantly influence Sabah's prospects of progressing in the tournament.
Statistics from the opening three rounds highlight the Turkish club's offensive advantage. Trabzonspor average 91.3 points per game compared to Sabah's 81, while their three-point shooting percentage stands at 43.9%, considerably higher than the Azerbaijani side's 36.6%.
However, Sabah's recent victory over Nanterre 92 demonstrated their ability to compete against strong European opposition. The Baku club scored 87 points in that encounter and successfully defended their advantage in the final quarter.
A victory over Trabzonspor would not only allow Sabah to extend their winning streak but also strengthen their position in the race for a place in the knockout stages.
Match details:
November 10, 20:00 (Baku time)
Sabah (Azerbaijan) vs Trabzonspor (Turkey)
Venue: National Gymnastics Arena, Baku
First meeting: Trabzonspor 100-83 Sabah.
