# Vilpas Champions League qualifying campaign

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vilpas-champions-league-qualifying-campaign
> Updated: 2026-09-16T13:52:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The Finnish basketball team Vilpas entered the FIBA Champions League qualifying tournament in Samokov, Bulgaria, to compete for a spot in the group stage.

In their opening match, Vilpas faced the Slovakian champions Patrioti Levice. Despite playing without captain Mikko Koivisto and Xavier DuSell, Vilpas secured a 90–87 victory. After Levice mounted a late comeback to lead by nine points in the fourth quarter, Vilpas responded with a final surge to advance to the semifinals. The team is scheduled to face the winner of the matchup between Bakken Bears and Landstede Hammers.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Vilpas defeats Patrioti Levice to advance in Champions League

Vilpas overcame a late deficit to defeat Patrioti Levice 90–87 in the Champions League qualifiers in Bulgaria, advancing to the tournament semifinals.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vilpas-defeats-patrioti-levice-to-advance-in-champions-league

### 2026-09-11: Vilpas heads to Bulgaria for Champions League qualifiers

Vilpas travels to Samokov, Bulgaria, for Champions League basketball qualifiers, facing Slovakian champions Patrioti Levice in their opening match.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vilpas-heads-to-bulgaria-for-champions-league-qualifiers

---
Cite as: Vilpas Champions League qualifying campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vilpas-champions-league-qualifying-campaign