2026 quarterfinals: decider in Weissenfels, opener in Manchester
- marisnoviks
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
The 2026 ENBL quarterfinals continue on Wednesday, March 25, with two games in Germany and the United Kingdom. The 2025 German Cup winners SYNTAINICS MBC will face Donar Groningen. The 2026 Super League Basketball Cup finalists Manchester Basketball will host Dinamo Zagreb.
SYNTAINICS MBC vs Donar Groningen
Playoff experience: both teams have qualified to the ENBL playoffs for the first time.
Donar Groningen celebrated 75th anniversary on March 8, 2026.
Two days later Donar won the Round of 16 home game against BK Opava, 103-86, and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3 record.
Jason Dourisseau is the 2026 ENBL Coach of the Year.
SYNTAINICS MBC defeated BK Olomoucko, 98-83, to reach the quarterfinals with a 8-1 record.
Spencer Reaves is the 2026 ENBL Most Valuable Player.
The winners of the best-of-two home and away series will advance to the Final Four where they will face the best team in a duel between Dinamo Zagreb and Manchester Basketball.
Series history: SYNTAINICS MBC (9-1) will face Donar Groningen (6-4) for the third time.
SYNTAINICS MBC defeated Donar Groningen on the Epiphany Day, 106-104.
The German team won the first quarterfinal game at the martiniplaza, 100-81, on March 17.
Marcus Foster and Spencer Reaves duo went 9/10 from the deep after the break.
The 2025 German Cup winners shot 3/14 from three in the first half and 10/15 in the second half.
Dane Erikstrup led Donar Groningen with a game high 29 points.
SYNTAINICS MBC are 5-0 on the home floor.
Donar Groningen are 2-2 on the road.
National championships: SYNTAINICS MBC are 9-16 at the Basketball Bundesliga and on a two game winning streak.
SYNTAINICS MBC won at Science City Jena, 108-84, on March 21.
Seven players – Khyri Thomas, Marcus Foster, Charles Callison, Jure Planinic, Nemanja Djurisic, Collin Welp and RJ Gunn – finished in double figures.
Charles Callison had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Donar Groningen are 12-9 at the BNXT league after splitting games with Den Helder.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Stefan Stefanov (Bulgaria) – referee from 2011, FIBA referee from 2019, Sesame NBL referee from 2018.
Umpire 1: Jaroslav Pazourek (Czechia) – MATA NBL referee from 2023, including one playoff game, has worked at the 2023 and 2024 Scania Cup final.
Umpire 2: Maurits Witvliet (Netherlands) – has worked at the 2022 and 2023 BNXT league finals, refereed the 2023 Dutch Cup final, Dutch top league referee from 2018, FIBA referee from 2023.
Observer (at the video): Oskars Lucis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on Youtube
Manchester Basketball vs Dinamo Zagreb
Playoff experience: both teams have qualified to the ENBL playoffs for the first time.
Manchester Basketball advanced to the playoffs with a 6-2 record and secured a 94-92 win over Dubrava Zagreb in the Round of 16 home game.
Dinamo Zagreb made it to the playoffs with a 6-2 record and advanced to the quarterfinals with a walkover win against SIGAL Prishtina.
Manchester Basketball and Queensberry Promotions have announced a half time face-off between heavyweight boxers Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin.
The winners of the best-of-two home and away series will advance to the Final Four where they will face the best team in a duel between SYNTAINICS MBC and Donar Groningen.
Series history: Manchester Basketball (7-2) will face Dinamo Zagreb (6-2) for the second time.
Manchester Basketball won at Dinamo Zagreb, 91-88, on February 3, 2026.
Dinamo Zagreb have a 6-2 record because the Round of 16 walkover win against SIGAL Prishtina is not added to the official classification.
Manchester Basketball are 4-1 on the home floor and on a three game winning streak.
Dinamo Zagreb are 3-1 on the road thanks to wins at SIGAL Prishtina, Tindastoll and Brussels Basketball.
National championships: Manchester Basketball advanced to the 2026 Super League Basketball Cup final and lost against the London Lions, 74-83, on Sunday, March 22, at the AO Arena.
Manchester Basketball are 14-10 at the Super League Basketball.
Dinamo Zagreb are 10-14 at the Premijer liga.
Dinamo Zagreb defeated Zabok, 87-80, on March 13, and lost at Cibona Zagreb, 70-88, on March 18.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Mateusz Skorek (Poland) – FIBA referee from 2021, Orlen PLK referee, has worked at the 2022 ENBL Final Four in Wloclawek.
Umpire 1: Christopher Curle (United Kingdom) – referee from 2016, national referee from 2019, Super League Basketball referee from 2023.
Umpire 2: Boris Hartman (Croatia) – refereee from 2015, ABA league referee 2019-2024, WABA league referee from 2019, Premijer liga referee from 2018.
Observer (on the spot): Oskars Lucis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on Youtube
2026 quarterfinals | local time | CET
Tuesday, March 17
(8)Donar Groningen 81-100 SYNTAINICS MBC (1)
Wednesday, March 18
(7) Dziki Warszawa 89-82 Iraklis BC (2)
Wednesday, March 25
19:00 | 20:00 (5)Manchester Basketball – Dinamo Zagreb (4)
19:30 | 19:30 (1)SYNTAINICS MBC – Donar Groningen (8)
Wednesday, April 1
19:45 | 18:45 (2)Iraklis BC – Dziki Warszawa (7)
19:30 | 19:30 (4)Dinamo Zagreb – Manchester Basketball (5)
to be confirmed
00:00 | 00:00 (11)Riga Zelli – CSO Voluntari (3)
00:00 | 00:00 (3)CSO Voluntari – Riga Zelli (11)
April 21-23, Final Four
Location and final dates to be confirmed
2026 ENBL playoffs and bracket
Live blog: the playoffs are coming
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