Eurocup 2012-2013, back to former ULEB Cup format

Euroleague Basketball and FIBA Europe have decided very important changes for the 2012-2013 Eurocup.

Both organizing bodies have agreed that the 2012-13 Eurocup will have some changes compared to recent editions. Following the Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) Shareholders Executive Board Meeting held on March 5 2012, the proposed competition system for the 2012-13 season that will require approval by the ECA Shareholders Meeting on July 5 2012 will include a single game final, home and away semi-finals, and will not include a Qualifying Round. 

In the last five seasons, the Eurocup champion has been decided in tournament format with either eight (Torino 2008 & 2009) or four teams (Vitoria 2010, Treviso 2011, Khimki 2012). 

Under the new proposal, the title would be decided in a single-game, one-day event, as it was between 2004 and 2007, when the Eurocup was known as the ULEB Cup.

The Eurocup Qualifying Rounds last season saw the winners of eight, home and away two-game series playing in the Regular Season. Now, a total of 25 teams will be qualified directly through the combined Euroleague + Eurocup table approved at the ECA Shareholders Meeting. An additional 7 teams will join the Eurocup Regular Season after competing in the Euroleague Qualifying Rounds, which feature eight teams. The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Rounds winner advances to that competition’s regular season, while the other 7 teams take a place in the Eurocup Regular Season.

These modifications, which have been debated with FIBA Europe, and who have agreed to the change at their most recent Board Meeting on June 15 2012.

(via eurocupbasketball)