Élan Chalon eliminates Porto and earns a final to qualify for BCL

Fribourg is done. Porto is done. Only Murcia or Utena remains. This Monday afternoon in the mountain town of Samokov, in Western Bulgaria, Élan Chalon won their second game in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) preliminary round.

Elric Delord’s team pulled away in the second half against FC Porto to win by 21 points (100-79). This earned them a spot in the Group 3 preliminary round final, this Wednesday at 7 PM French time.

30 points scored off Porto’s 21 turnovers

Leading at halftime (51-45), Élan Chalon had however conceded too many points, especially in the second quarter (27). Right after resuming play, the Burgundy team focused on disrupting their opponent’s game, which they managed to do. After 6 minutes of play, they had limited their opponents to just 6 points. In rhythm and confident after their multiple stops, they pulled away (68-51, 26′) on a 3-pointer by Zac Cuthbertson (17 points on 6/12 shooting and 2 rebounds) found in transition in the corner after a steal by Jeremiah Hill (20 points, including 14 in the first half, 5 assists and 5 steals for a 23 efficiency rating).

In total, Chalon forced 21 turnovers from the Portuguese team, scoring 30 points off them. With also 25 second-chance points (after 26 offensive rebounds), they were active on all fronts to reach 100 points despite a garbage time finish (16 points in the fourth quarter). The coaching staff was even able to give minutes to young center Yanis Tonnellier (13 minutes, with 3 points and 2 rebounds) and also brought in Akram Naji and Jelani Kante in the last two minutes.

À un match d’une qualification en BCL 🇪🇺

⚔️ Porto 79-100 Elan Chalon

📊 Hill 20, Cuthbertson 17, Mutts 11, Gaudoux 10, Darling 10, Choupas 10, Leray 7, Tonnellier 6, Nadolny 5, Anochili-Killen 4#RougeEtBlanc #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/0IRHgC5ceK

— Elan Chalon (@ELANCHALON) September 22, 2025

Likely final against Murcia

Wednesday at 7 PM French time, Chalon’s likely opponent will be of a different caliber. Heavily favored against the Lithuanian team Juventus Utena, Murcia is a BCL regular. The Spanish team has already had the chance to test themselves against French clubs during preseason, at the Limoges tournament.