The draw for the FIBA Basketball Champions League (BCL) quarter-finals took place today at the Badalona Museum in Spain, mapping out the final road toward the trophy of this milestone tenth season. After finishing top of their group in the Round of 16, Rytas Vilnius have entered the elite Top 8 and will face the Czech champions, ERA Nymburk, in the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final series will follow a best-of-three format. As Rytas was seeded in the first pot during the draw, the Vilnius side will hold home-court advantage. The series opener is scheduled to take place in Vilnius on April 1st. The return leg in the Czech Republic will follow on April 7th, and should a deciding third game be necessary, the series will return to Vilnius on April 15th.
With the playoff bracket now finalized, it was revealed that the winner of this matchup will face either La Laguna Tenerife (Spain) or Galatasaray MCT Technic (Turkey) in the semi-finals.
Head coach Giedrius Žibėnas and point guard Speedy Smith shared their insights on the draw results, the upcoming opponent, and the team’s preparation for the high-stakes battles ahead.
“Every team in the Final Eight deserves to be here. Nymburk is a better side than Gran Canaria, and they proved it. They are making their second consecutive appearance in the Top 8, demonstrating consistency and a high level of play. They rely on a core of highly experienced Czech national team players who have been together for years and know how to win—that is a major advantage for them. They have also made the right choices with their international signings,” Giedrius Žibėnas said of the upcoming rivals. “We represent Rytas, and while reaching the Top 8 was a goal, once you are here, the objective is to go further. It’s an ongoing story, but it is a privilege to represent a club that always strives for the maximum. This quarter-final is no exception. We must prepare for every game as a fresh challenge. We hope home-court advantage will be a factor, but we cannot be complacent; everything can flip after the first game. We will look to capitalize on our home floor and ensure we are fully prepared for the opener.”
“To be honest, it didn’t really matter who we drew—simply because of our team principles and who we are. We have to maintain the same focus and attention to detail regardless. The goal doesn’t change, the concentration doesn’t change—nothing changes except the name of the opponent,” Speedy Smith commented. “Home-court advantage gives us even more confidence. Rytas fans are incredible. Bringing this historic moment here and playing the first game at the Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius is one of the best feelings. I’m genuinely happy we can start the series here in such a high-stakes playoff atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it more than anything. Advancing in a series like this is never easy; it takes a lot of composure. I’ve been through this before and I know how much the little details matter—staying calm and being ready for the moment. Opportunities like this don’t come often in a European career. It’s been about 3-4 years since I last had the chance to be at this stage, so I’m very excited. Honestly, I’m most thrilled to be doing this specifically with Rytas.”
The club encourages fans not to miss the chance to support the team during the most crucial stage of the season at home. Private ticket sales are currently open exclusively for club members, offering loyal fans the first opportunity to secure seats for the quarter-final opener.
Public ticket sales will launch today, March 20th, at 5:00 PM. The second tier of the arena will be opened based on the occupancy of the first tier. Don’t miss your chance to be part of history in the making.
This year’s Champions League Final Four will take place from May 7–9 at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in Badalona, Spain.