Legacy vs. Ambition: Cibona and Ilirija collide in the battle for a place in 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League

The battle for a spot in the 2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League begins as Cibona and Ilirija face off in the Qualifiers, a best-of-3 promotion/relegation series with everything on the line.

Cibona, one of the most storied clubs in the region and 2014 ABA League champions, now find themselves on the brink of relegation after going through the worst regular season in club history. Having finished 15th in the standings, with only one team below them, the Zagreb giants are in danger of losing their top-tier status for the first time since the league’s inception in 2001. This best-of-3 series will decide whether Cibona can extend their unbroken ABA League legacy or whether they will face a historic drop.

Their challengers are Ilirija, the ambitious vice-champions of the 2024/25 NLB ABA League 2. The Ljubljana-based team came painfully close to earning direct promotion, winning Game 1 in the Finals against Bosna Visit Sarajevo before falling short in the following two games. Now, they get a second shot — this time against a wounded giant — to secure their first-ever appearance in the ABA League top division.

Cibona will hold home-court advantage, hosting Games 1 and 3 (if necessary) in Zagreb, while Ilirija will look to capitalize on their opportunity when the series moves to Ljubljana for Game 2.

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Qualifiers, Game 1, Thursday, May 29, 2025:

Cibona – Ilirija (19:00)

Game 2, Wednesday, June 4, 2025:

Ilirija – Cibona (19:00)

*Game 3

Cibona - Ilirija