Her Majesty has arrived: Kalia Papadopoulou and AEL win at Spartak Pleven
TRIA EKA AEL BC opened a new page in its 60 years long history and defeated Spartak Pleven, 79-61, on Tuesday, October 6, at the Balkanstroy hall in northern Bulgaria.
Players of the game
TRIA EKA AEL head coach Kalia Papadopoulou gathered a solid roster for ENBL debut.
Brendan Bailey led AEL with a game high 18 points on 7/13 shooting from the field.
A former Marquette forward shined in defense too, registering two steals and two blocks.
Experienced shooting guard Donte Clark added 17 points.
A former Massachusetts and Texas Southern player grabbed eight rebounds.
Point guard Sincere Carry contributed with nine points, seven assists and two steals.
His former teams include Duquesne (2018-2021), Kent State (2021-2023) and a two time Greece champion Iraklis BC (2023-2024).
Jalan McCloud scored 17 points for Spartak Pleven.
Like Donte Clark, he has played for Texas Southern.
Key stats
AEL starters – Sincere Paul Carry, Donte Clark, Javonte Johnson, Brendan Bailey and Troy Baruch – came out in full force.
They outscored the opponents, 36-20, in the first 20 minutes of action.
Combining speed and athleticism, AEL players quickly scored 12 points in fast breaks.
Every starter made at least two field goals, while Clark and Bailey combined for 20 points.
AEL took a commanding 17 points lead at the end of the first half, 41-24.
Eventually AEL starters outscored Spartak, 68-44.
Game notes
TRIA EKA AEL BC improved to 1-0, while Spartak Pleven dropped to 1-1.
Kalia Papadopoulou wrote history – she is the first woman to post a win in the ENBL.
A former point guard took the coaching reins of Cyprus women`s national team in 2016 and AEL Limassol women`s team in 2017.
In 2022 she joined the men`s team as an assistant to head coach Markos Asonitis.
However, after the mutually agreed termination of Asonitis contract, the Cypriot club decided to appoint Kalia Papadopoulou as an interim coach until the end of the 2022-2023 season.
On March 19, 2023, Kalia Papadopoulou took the coaching reins of the AEL men`s team.
In March 2026, she led AEL Limassol to lift the Cyprus Cup by defeating Keravnos, ending a 17-year major silverware drought for the club and achieving a historic first for European men's basketball.
AEL Limassol is known as the Queen of Cyprus basketball, with a Queen at the steering wheel.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
ENBL standings as of October 6, 2026 | without tie-breakers
GROUP A
Tindastoll 3-0, +46
BK Liepāja 1-1, -16
Hefte Helfen Bulls 1-0, +23
Dubrava Zagreb 1-0, +5
Pully Lausanne Foxes 0-2, -30
BC CIU 0-1, -5
BC Hipocredit 0-1, -6
Bristol Flyers 0-1, -17
Syntainics MBC
Group B
TalTech/Alexela 2-0, +14
BC Spartak Pleven 1-1, +7
TRIA EKA AEL BC 1-0, +18
Anwil Wloclawek 1-0, +16
Alkar Sinj 1-0, +5
HKK Zrinjski 1992 0-1, -5
Fyllingen Lions 0-2, -26
Donar Groningen 0-2, -30
CSO Voluntari
2026-2027 ENBL schedule
2026-2027 ENBL format and pools
