New-look Perspektiva Ilirija welcome the reigning champions

2026/27 AdmiralBet ABA League Regular Season Group B, Round 2, Sunday, 4 October 2026:

PERSPEKTIVA ILIRIJA - DUBAI BASKETBALL

Where? Tivoli Sports Hall, Ljubljana

When? 20:00

Story of the game: Sunday evening brings a very interesting clash to Mala dvorana Tivoli, where Perspektiva Ilirija will welcome reigning champions Dubai Basketball in Round 2 of the 2026/27 AdmiralBet ABA League season.

For both teams, this will be their first game of the new regional campaign, but they enter the season from very different starting points. Perspektiva Ilirija are preparing for their second year among the regional elite, while Dubai Basketball begin their title defence after making history by winning their first AdmiralBet ABA League trophy last season.

Perspektiva Ilirija achieved their main goal in their debut campaign by securing their place in the competition for another season, while also providing valuable opportunities to several talented young players. However, plenty has changed in Ljubljana over the summer. Gašper Okorn has replaced Stipe Modrić as head coach and only five players from last season - Edo Murić, Bine Gabrijel, Lovro Faganel, Radoslav Stanislav Raykov and Lian Boisa - have remained with the team. Nine newcomers have arrived, including Hunter Dean, Cameron Shelton and Cole Hargrove, meaning one of the biggest challenges for Okorn will be turning a largely new group into a competitive unit as quickly as possible.

Dubai Basketball arrive in Ljubljana with a very different objective. After defeating Partizan Mozzart Bet 3-1 in last season's Finals and lifting the trophy for the first time in club history, the reigning champions have managed to keep most of their championship-winning core together. Dwayne Bacon, McKinley Wright IV, Mfiondu Kabengele, Džanan Musa, Davis Bertans, Filip Petrušev and several other key players have stayed, while Elie Okobo, Tornike Shengelia, Thomas Walkup, Mamadi Diakite and Jaron Blossomgame are among the major additions. Xavi Pascual has also taken over as head coach.

The visitors will come to Ljubljana after a demanding opening stretch in the EuroLeague. Dubai Basketball won their opening two games of the season, before losing against Fenmerbahce Tarfin on Friday night.

That makes Sunday's game an intriguing test for both sides. Perspektiva Ilirija will have home-court advantage and an opportunity to immediately test their new-look team against the reigning champions, while Dubai Basketball will look to put the EuroLeague defeat behind them and begin the defence of their AdmiralBet ABA League crown with a victory.

Match-up in focus: Edo Murić vs. Dwayne Bacon.

Experience, leadership and scoring ability will meet in one of the most interesting individual battles of Sunday's game.

Edo Murić remains the central figure of Perspektiva Ilirija. The experienced Slovenian forward is by far the most experienced player on the roster and his importance goes well beyond the numbers. With so many young players and newcomers around him, Murić will be expected to lead the hosts through the difficult stretches of the game and provide the confidence needed when facing the reigning champions.

On the other side stands Dwayne Bacon, one of the key members of Dubai Basketball's championship-winning team. His ability to create his own shot, attack mismatches and score in bunches makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the competition.

Head-to-head in ABA: In total 0:0.