HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim meets Science City Jena in the BBL Cup!

HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim meets Science City Jena in the BBL Cup!

Great excitement in the basketball world: The first round of the BBL Cup for the 2025/26 season has been drawn! As part of this draw, HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim found out that they would meet Science City Jena in the first round. The game is expected to take place on September 23rd or 24th, 2025 in the Arena Hohenlohe. Martin Breuning from SYNTAINICS MBC was involved as a lottery ticket and ensured exciting pairings.

But it's not just the Merlins who can look forward to thrilling duels. Further encounters are also set and promise plenty of action. Basketball fans can expect the following program:

• BG Göttingen – Telekom Baskets Bonn
• Phoenix Hagen – Rostock Seawolves
• Gießen 46ers – RASTA Vechta
• Eisbären Bremerhaven – EWE Baskets Oldenburg
• Tigers Tübingen – VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier
• Skyliners Frankfurt – MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
• Veolia Towers Hamburg – BMA365 Bamberg Baskets

Previous performances and draw

The BBL Cup is a popular competition in the easycredit Basketball Bundesliga, reinforced by the participation of 24 teams from the first and second leagues. The first round will feature five of the best second division teams as well as ten first division teams that missed the playoffs last season. This formula promises exciting games and an exciting knockout system that offers thrilling duels right up to the final.

The rules are clear: the winners of the first round can expect a trip to the round of 16, where the eight best teams from last season in the BBL will join them. The draw took place on July 15, 2025 in Düsseldorf and was broadcast live on YouTube. With a format that brings together the best teams in the league, fans' interest is maintained until the last minute.

The BBL Cup at a glance

The format of the competition is a real highlight for basketball lovers. In the first round, teams compete in a do-or-die format - win or be eliminated. Here are some important dates:

• 1. Runde: 23./24. September 2025
• Achtelfinale: 18./19. Oktober 2025
• Viertelfinale: 15./16. November 2025
• TOP FOUR: 21./22. Februar 2026

With ALBA BERLIN, the record cup winner since 1997 with a total of 11 titles, the question remains who has what it takes to win the cup in the end this season. The current MVP of the TOP FOUR 2025, Michael Devoe from SYNTAINICS MBC, will certainly keep an eye on the upcoming games.

Finally, it should be noted that there is great anticipation for the BBL Cup. The HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim are ready to give their best and assert themselves against the competition from Jena. It will soon become clear whether their efforts are enough!