You`ve got to want to succeed: opening day in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands
- Māris Noviks
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 23
Tuesday, September 23 is the opening day of Season Five, with three games on display. The ENBL newcomers Hefte Helfen Bulls Kapfenberg host the 2025 SLB Trophy finalists Bristol Flyers, Donar Groningen face Valmiera Glass ViA, and the 2025 German Cup winners MBC Syntainics examine TalTech/Alexela.
Hefte Helfen Bulls vs Bristol Flyers
Series history: Austrian team will face Bristol Flyers for the first time.
Kapfenberg is hosting an ENBL game for the first time.
National championships: first round of Austrian Basketball Superliga is scheduled on September 27-28.
Super League basketball returned on September 19, as the Bristol Flyers (1-0) defeated Sheffield Sharks, 78-60.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Milad Kadkhodaei (Austria) – BSL referee from 2013, has worked at the BSL finals every year from 2016, has worked at the BSL Cup Final Four in 2017 and 2020-2025, and Alpe Adria Cup Final Four in 2016.
Umpire 1: Martin Margala (Slovakia) – Slovakia first division referee from 2004, has worked at many Central European Women`s league and Alpe Adria Cup playoff games.
Umpire 2: Kushtrim Dvorani (Austria) – Basketball Superliga referee from 2021.
Observer (on the spot): Paul Valentin (Austria).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
Donar Groningen vs Valmiera Glass ViA
Series history: Donar Groningen will face Valmiera Glass ViA for the second time.
Valmiera leads the series, 1-0, thanks to a 81-78 overtime win (68-68 in regulation) a year ago on the home floor.
National championships: first round of the BNXT league is scheduled on September 26-28.
Optibet Estonia and Latvia league will start on September 30.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Mohamed Shouman (Netherlands) – Dutch basketball first division referee from 2013, BNXT league referee from 2021, has worked at the 2025 ENBL playoffs.
Umpire 1: Anna Belousova (Latvia) – FIBA referee from 2019, first female referee from Latvia at the European Women`s Basketball league (EWBL) Final Four, first female referee from Latvia at the Optibet Estonia and Latvia league from 2019.
Umpire 2: Piotr Jerzy Sadzynski (Netherlands) – has been officiating from 2013, including 10 years in Poland; has been officiating in the Netherlands from 2020, BNXT league referee from 2022.
Observer (at the video): Mareks Voļskis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
MBC Syntainics vs TalTech/Alexela
Series history: MBC Syntainics will face TalTech/Alexela for the first time.
Weissenfels is hosting an ENBL game for the first time.
National championships: Basketball Bundesliga, the home of the 2023 World Champions and the EuroBasket 2025 Champions, will start on September 26, with more games scheduled on 27-28.
Optibet Estonia and Latvia league will start on September 30.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Jaroslav Pazourek (Czechia) – Kooperativa NBL referee from 2023, including one play-off game; has worked at the Scania Cup final in 2023 and 2024.
Umpire 1: Ivo Kitsing (Estonia) – have been officiating from 2007, first Meistriliiga game on November 14, 2014; first Estonian final on May 24, 2018; FIBA referee from 2023.
Umpire 2: Filip Ivankovič (Austria) – Austrian Basketball Superliga referee from 2020, FIBA 3x3 referee from 2022.
Observer (at the video): Oskars Lucis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
2025-2026 ENBL format and pools
2025 ENBL classification
Comments