Al Ittihad, Sporting and Al Olympi begin Linked League with victories

Al Ittihad Alexandria, Sporting and Al Olympi all started the preliminary round of the Linked League with wins, defeating El Shooting Club, Tala’ea El Gaish and Al Damanhour Games respectively.

Al Ittihad recorded a 80-61 victory over El Shooting Club in the men’s game, before their linked Under-16 team completed a double with a 73-40 win.

Sporting also secured two victories against Tala’ea El Gaish. Their men’s side prevailed 73-66, while the linked team produced a more convincing 86-57 success.

Al Olympi’s men’s team edged past Al Damanhour Games 68-65, with their linked side winning 69-57.

The Linked League is one of the main competitions in the Egyptian basketball calendar. Its results help determine the first-round fixtures in the Super League, which provides qualification for the African League, according to the teams’ final positions in the competition.

Sixteen teams are taking part in this season’s tournament: Al Ahly, Al Ittihad Alexandria, Telecom Egypt, Zamalek, Petrojet, Sporting, Smouha, Al Gezira, Al Qanah, Tala’ea El Gaish, Heliopolis, Al Olympi, Ashab El Gead, El Shooting Club, El Zohour and Al Damanhour Games.

The preliminary round is being played over home and away matches. Teams receive two points for winning either the men’s fixture or the linked Under-16 match, while the losing side is awarded one point.

The competition is divided into four groups. The team finishing top of each group will qualify directly for the quarter-finals.

The sides in second and third place will instead compete in play-off matches to decide the remaining places in the last eight.