European North Basketball League

European North Basketball League
Founded2021 (2021)
First season2021–22
RegionEurope
ConfederationFIBA Europe
Number of teams18 (2024–25)
16 (2023–24)
15 (2022–23)
8 (2021–22)
Current championsRomania CSO Voluntari
(1st title)
Most championshipsPoland Anwil Włocławek
Denmark Bakken Bears
Poland BM Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
Romania CSO Voluntari
(1 title)
CEOEdgars Zanders
PresidentIgo Zanders
TV partnersBest4Sport TV
Websitewww.enbleague.eu
2025–26 season

The European North Basketball League (ENBL) is a professional men's club basketball league featuring teams from across Europe. Despite its name, the league is not limited to northern Europe. Established in 2021, the ENBL is considered the 5th-tier European competition, ranking below the FIBA Europe Cup. Clubs participate without formal qualification or performance criteria, as teams are selected arbitrarily.[1]

History

The first season featured eight teams from Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Russia, including several national medalists with wide regional and international experience.

The second season saw an expansion to 16 teams within two groups. While Belarusian and Russian teams were excluded, teams from Israel, Ukraine and Kosovo joined. A team from Serbia also joined but withdrew at the last moment, meaning the participating teams dropped to 15.[2][3]

In the third season the league were joined by teams from Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Great Britain, Netherlands and Romania. The Final Four was held at the Danish city of Aarhus in April 2024.

Competition format

The regular season is divided into two groups. Four teams from each group will advance to play-offs. Each tie in the quarter-finals phase is played over two legs. The winning teams qualify for the Final Four tournament.

Summary

Year Teams Final Semifinalists
Champions Score Second place Third place Score Fourth place
2021–22
Details
8 Poland Anwil Włocławek 90–79 Lithuania Šiauliai Czech Republic Brno 80–76 Estonia Tartu Ülikool Maks & Moorits
2022–23
Details
15 Poland BM Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski 70–66 Lithuania BC Wolves Poland Start Lublin 86–62 Poland King Szczecin
2023–24
Details
16 Denmark Bakken Bears 85–81 Romania CSO Voluntari Belgium RSW Liège 83–73 Lithuania Šiauliai
2024–25
Details
18 Romania CSO Voluntari 95–82 United Kingdom Newcastle Eagles Poland Dziki Warsaw 80–78 Slovakia Inter Bratislava

Titles by club

Rank Team Championships Runner-ups Championship years
1.
Romania CSO Voluntari
1
1
2.
Poland Anwil Włocławek
1
Poland BM Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
Denmark Bakken Bears
3.
Lithuania BC Wolves
1
Lithuania Šiauliai
United Kingdom Newcastle Eagles

Titles by country

Country Championships Runner-ups Championship years
1 Poland 2 2021–22, 2022–23
2 Romania 1 1 2024–25
3 Denmark 1 2023–24
4 Lithuania 2
5 Great Britain 1

See also

References

  1. ^ "BNXT League : Liège devient le premier club belge à disputer l'European North Basketball League" (in French). 3 August 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  2. ^ About us
  3. ^ "ENBL announcement on November 4, 2022". ENBL. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.