Sporting CP Basketball Fall in Bilbao; Lisbon Ties Crucial for FIBA Europe Cup

Sporting CP’s visit to the Basque Country ended in a 94-79 defeat and an early reminder that the second phase of the FIBA Europe Cup is a different beast. The reigning champions from Bilbao never truly looked rattled, but the Portuguese side still left flashes of promise – and a long to-do list before Group M resumes next week.

Snapshot: What Just Happened?

• Scoreline: 94-79 for Surne Bilbao Basket.

• Group M picture: Sporting drop to 0-1, level on losses with Prievidza but behind Bilbao and PAOK.

• Key swing: A 13-0 Spanish run late in the second quarter flipped a one-point Portuguese lead into an 11-point hole.

• Portuguese highlight: Francisco Amarante’s 25-point, 10-rebound double-double kept the leões competitive.

• Next challenge: PAOK visit Alvalade on 17 December in what is already being billed as a must-win.

Why the Result Stings for Portuguese Hoops

The loss hurts on two fronts. First, it snaps the momentum generated by November’s 121-67 thrashing of Valcea, a result that had raised hopes of a deep European run. Second, it reinforces a stubborn trend: Portuguese clubs have beaten Spanish opposition just twice in the past decade in FIBA-sanctioned events. With Bilbao holding the trophy and a €9 M budget, more than double Sporting’s, the gap in resources was always going to be exposed – but the margin of defeat leaves no margin for error in the remaining five group games.

Inside the 40 Minutes

Bilbao led for 36:01 minutes thanks to 44% three-point shooting that repeatedly punished late close-outs. Sporting actually hit a higher overall field-goal percentage (44 FG% vs 43 FG%), yet the hosts attempted 11 extra shots by winning the rebounding battle 37-31. An early burst from Brandon Johns (8 points in the opening five minutes) gave the green-and-white faithful hope, but foul trouble sent the American to the bench just as Bilbao’s Adam Smith uncorked 10 straight points. The pivotal spell arrived midway through the second quarter: turnovers on three consecutive possessions fuelled a 13-0 transition avalanche, widening the gap to double digits that never closed.

Standings, Maths and Upcoming Dates

Current Group M table after Matchday 1:

PAOK (1-0) ‑ 101:70

Bilbao Basket (1-0) ‑ 94:79

Sporting CP (0-1) ‑ 79:94

Prievidza (0-1) ‑ 70:101

Sporting play back-to-back home fixtures – PAOK on 17 December, Bilbao again on 21 January – sandwiched around a tricky trip to Slovakia on 14 January. Win the two matches in Lisbon and the qualification equation simplifies: two further victories would almost certainly secure a quarter-final spot. Drop one at home, and the leões will need help elsewhere.

Who Showed Up, Who Needs a Lift

Stand-outs• Francisco Amarante: 25 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast – fearless shot-making kept Sporting within single digits for long stretches.• Brandon Johns: 16 pts, 7 reb, 51 FG% – efficient despite reduced minutes.

Quiet night• Malik Morgan: 8 pts, 2 ast, 3-12 shooting – Sporting need more from their primary playmaker, especially when Bilbao trapped high.• Bench unit: Just 14 combined points; interior defence sagged whenever the starters rested.

Voices from the Locker Room

Head coach Luís Magalhães admitted that “the second quarter punished every hesitation,” but insisted the group “remains very much alive.” Captain Diogo Ventura highlighted the need to “match Bilbao’s physical first step” when the sides meet again in January. Across the hallway, Bilbao coach Jaume Ponsarnau credited Sporting’s ball movement, warning that “Lisbon will not be an easy trip.”

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

This was the first official meeting between the clubs, so the ledger now reads 0-1 for Sporting. A return date in Lisbon offers a swift chance for revenge and – more crucially – points. Between now and then, domestic league clashes with Porto and Ovarense will serve as stress tests for the adjustments Magalhães must implement: protecting the ball, finishing possessions on the glass, and squeezing out another five percentage points on three-point defence. Portuguese basketball fans have grown used to seeing their clubs bow out early in Europe; overturning that narrative starts with a decisive response next Thursday at Pavilhão João Rocha.