Slovakia’s Inter Bratislava pushed Italian powerhouse Bassano all the way, but the tournament favourites prevailed in the most anticipated matchup of the opening day. Elsewhere, Helsinki, GBA and hosts DEAC all recorded convincing wins.
The wait finally ended on Thursday afternoon as the 2026 Cívis Cup tipped off in Debrecen. This year’s tournament features eight U19 teams from five countries. A late change to the field saw Czech side Get Better Academy replace Germany’s IBAM.
Hosts DEAC opened their Group A campaign against another Czech outfit, Basket Brno. Although the visitors got off to the better start, the Hungarian side had taken the lead by the end of the first quarter. DEAC steadily took control, with Tamás Kádár’s team building a 14-point cushion by halftime. The hosts shifted up another gear after the break and threatened to put the game out of reach midway through the third quarter. A Czech rally briefly kept the contest alive, but early in the fourth, DEAC pulled away for good. Their 76–55 victory provides a welcome confidence boost ahead of Friday’s clash with Helsinki Basketball Academy.
The Debrecen side will need that confidence, as the Finns cruised past Italy’s Pallacanestro Forlì in the other Group A fixture. Helsinki scored at least 22 points in every quarter while holding their opponents to no more than 17 in any period. The outcome was never in doubt, with Reino Saivosalmi knocking down five three-pointers and Isaiah Bangura posting a double-double to lead HBA to a commanding 97–56 win.
Group B offered more resistance, although late entrants GBA produced a blistering opening three quarters against Hungary’s Rátgéber Academy. The Czech side had already piled up 83 points heading into the final period, a scoring pace the Pécs outfit could not match despite the efforts of Bálint Burony, Attila Maros and Péter Bek. Rátgéber cut the deficit in the fourth to make the final score more respectable, but GBA’s victory was never under threat. Thanasis Evangeliou led all scorers on the day with 31 points, powering his team to a 92–76 success.
The opening day’s marquee matchup pitted Slovakia’s Inter Bratislava against Italy’s Orange1 Basket Bassano, and the teams lived up to expectations. Inter took a surprise lead into halftime, forcing the favoured Italians to work hard throughout the second half to turn things around. With a minute and a half remaining, Inter still held a two-point advantage. Pietro Masaro then tied the game with a mid-range jumper before Luis Vera buried a clutch three to put Bassano ahead. The Italians held firm down the stretch to seal a 76–72 win, showing why they are the tournament favourites even when pushed to the limit.
Action continues on Friday, with Inter looking to bounce back against GBA and Bassano facing Rátgéber Academy. The qualifying round of the three-point contest will follow, before DEAC take on Helsinki. Brno and Forlì will close out the day’s schedule.
Cívis Cup – Day 1 Results
GBA (CZE) – Rátgéber Academy (HUN) 92–76
Inter Bratislava (SVK) – Orange1 Bassano (ITA) 72–76
HBA (FIN) – Pallacanestro Forlì (ITA) 97–56