Galil Gilboa defends Balkan League title

In a tightly contested match, Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa from Israel defeated Levski Sofia from Bulgaria 87-79, to defend its Balkan League title. This is Galil Gilboa’s second straight Balkan League title.

Galil Gilboa’s win was spearheaded by the effort of Rakim Sanders who finished the game with a huge double-double performance to the tune of 30 points and 17 boards. Yanniv Green was also instrumental and chipped in 16 points. Levski was led by Marko Marinovic with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Mladen Pantic added 17 points to their cause.

The Balkan League, more formally known as the “Balkan International Basketball League” (BIBL), features professional basketball teams from the countries of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Greece, Israel, and Serbia.

Despite its being overshadowed by other, more popular and “more competitive” leagues such as the Adriatic, VTB United, and Baltic leagues; the Balkan league still remains a venue where organized basketball competition can be a platform to foster the sport and its ever growing following across Europe.