The SIG Strasbourg returns to European competition on Tuesday, October 6, at 8:00 PM, when it faces Legia Warsaw in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) at the Rhenus arena. This marks the team's first appearance in continental competition since March 2024. The team recently defeated Boulazac 87-75 in the Betclic ELITE league, giving them a strong start to their European campaign. Strasbourg has been placed in Group B alongside Galatasaray Istanbul, Legia Warsaw, and Cibona Zagreb. The top team in the group advances directly to the Round of 16, while the second and third teams must compete in a play-in of best-of-three matches. The fourth-place team is eliminated. With only six games in the group stage, the results of direct matches will be crucial for determining qualification. Galatasaray is the clear favorite in Group B, as highlighted by the BCL itself. The Istanbul club was a finalist in the 2025 edition and reached the quarterfinals last season before being eliminated by Tenerife. However, the team has undergone significant changes, with several key players like James Palmer Jr., Fabian White Jr., and Will Cummings moving on. In their place, Galatasaray has added players such as Nikola Ivanović, Dyshawn Pierre, and Alen Smailagić, who performed strongly in their recent 102-79 victory over Çayırova. Strasbourg will face Legia Warsaw again on December 23, following an initial match in the group phase. Legia Warsaw, currently holding two consecutive national titles, has participated in the BCL for three seasons but has not advanced beyond the group stage in previous campaigns. The team has undergone a significant roster overhaul, with players like Devon Daniels and Zach Freemantle joining from other leagues. Kristers Zoriks, a familiar name in French basketball, has also joined the team and previously played under SIG Strasbourg's coach, Jānis Gailītis, with the Latvian national team. Cibona Zagreb, the third team in Group B, returns to the BCL after a ten-year absence. The Croatian champions previously faced Strasbourg in 2016-2017, with each team winning on their home court. Cibona has retained key players from their championship-winning squad and added several young talents. Their early-season performance has been strong, with two wins in the Croatian league before a loss to Cedevita Olimpija. The double confrontation with Cibona will be crucial for Strasbourg's qualification prospects. Strasbourg also has Jaylen Hands, a player closely watched by the BCL, who is expected to play a key role in the team. Hands, who previously played for PAOK Salonique and Peristeri in Europe, has already shown his value with important contributions in recent matches. Coach Jānis Gailītis, who has extensive experience in European basketball, will lead Strasbourg through its six European matches. With a strong roster and key matchups against Legia Warsaw and Cibona Zagreb, the team's success in the BCL will largely depend on these crucial encounters.