ABA League begins 26th season with 20 clubs

The 26th season of the ABA League has officially commenced following delays caused by disputes regarding refereeing and organizational structures. The new season features a record 20 clubs divided into two groups of ten. Notable changes include the return of Cibona and Široki Brijeg, while Split has departed the league.

Early season results show varied performances. Budućnost Volija secured a 77:72 victory over Krka, with coach Andrej Žakelj emphasizing the importance of the win despite a dense schedule. Igokea also opened with a 97:89 win against Slovan from Bratislava, a match where coach Nenad Stefanović noted the competitive nature of the new league members.

In the ABA 2 league, structural changes were implemented after KK Skoplje withdrew from competition. To maintain group balance, GGD Šentjur was moved from Group B to Group A, ensuring all four groups consist of four teams. Meanwhile, Bosna achieved a significant 95:79 victory against Spartak in Subotica to start their campaign.

In Serbia, FMP prepares for a challenging season opener against Crvena zvezda, with coach Saša Nikitović noting the need for peak performance to compete with the EuroLeague side. Partizan is also set to face Mega in a match that will be played without spectators due to previous sanctions.