U-BT Cluj, Cedevita and Trento confirmed their roles of favorites in Round 14 of the EuroCup and each recorded wins respectively, according to Basketball Sphere.
U-BT Cluj was heavily favored in their matchup against winless Hamburg, and they successfully defended their home floor, defeating the German side after surviving their late onslaught to win 103-92. Daron “Fatts” Russell had 23 points and five assists while Mitchell Creek added 20 more. Kevin Guzman also had a double-double for the Romanian representative with 12 points and 12 rebounds. For Hamburg, Zacharrie Perrin had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, but Hamburg is still searching for their first win as their record fell to 0-14. U-BT Cluj’s record in the EuroCup is now 8-6, with their next game being in the ABA League against Dubai on January 17th.
U-Banca Transilvania Cluj-Napoca (U-BT) is no longer just a local powerhouse; it has evolved into a European contender, transforming the BT Arena into a “black and white” fortress that commands respect across the continent.
Under the visionary leadership of head coach Mihai Silvășan, a club legend himself, U-BT has managed to bridge the gap between domestic dominance and international competitiveness, proving that a Romanian team can go toe-to-toe with the elite of the EuroCup.
Dominance at Home, Ambition Abroad
For the past several seasons, the BT Arena—the largest and most modern indoor venue in Romania with a capacity of 10,000—has been the stage for a domestic dynasty. U-BT has consistently swept the Romanian League (Liga Națională) and the Romanian Cup, often finishing seasons with near-perfect records.
However, the club’s true litmus test has been the BKT EuroCup. In the 2025-2026 season, Cluj-Napoca has solidified its reputation as one of the toughest road trips for any European team. Their high-octane offense and disciplined defensive schemes have led to historic victories against traditional giants from Spain, Italy, and Turkey.
The Ingredients of Success: Scouting and Stability
The rise of U-BT is not a stroke of luck but the result of a meticulously planned strategy involving:
-
Roster Continuity: Unlike many European clubs that overhaul their rosters annually, U-BT has kept a core of veteran players, blending international experience with local talent.
-
High-Level Imports: The team has successfully recruited high-caliber players with NBA or EuroLeague resumes, such as D.J. Seeley or Zach Hankins, who provide the “clutch” factor in tight European games.
-
A Growing Youth Academy: The club invests heavily in its youth system, ensuring that the next generation of Romanian basketball stars, like Andrei Edu, are integrated into the first-team environment early on.
The “6th Man”: A Fanbase Like No Other
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the U-BT phenomenon is the atmosphere in Cluj. The club has managed to create a basketball culture that is rare in Eastern Europe.
“Playing in Cluj is different,” said a visiting EuroCup coach earlier this season. “The fans are knowledgeable, passionate, and they stay loud for 40 minutes. It feels like a EuroLeague environment.”
Attendance figures for U-BT games frequently surpass those of many top-tier European football matches in Romania, with the “Derby of Cluj” and big European nights consistently selling out weeks in advance.
Looking Ahead: Is the EuroLeague Next?
The ultimate question surrounding the club is whether they are ready for the EuroLeague—the pinnacle of European basketball. While the jump involves significant financial and infrastructural requirements, U-BT is tickling all the right boxes:
-
A modern arena that meets all international standards.
-
A stable and powerful main sponsor in Banca Transilvania.
-
Consistently high sporting results in the EuroCup.
Three flu-related deaths and 400 infections since the beginning of the cold season in Romania
Comments
comments
