FC Porto’s basketball team, long known for its domestic prowess, is suddenly on the continental radar after a miraculous comeback in the Basketball Champions League Qualification Round Tournament 3. On September 20, 2025, in Samokov, Bulgaria, the blue-and-whites—making their first-ever appearance in the competition—overturned a daunting 19-point deficit to stun six-time BCL participants Falco Szombathely. That incredible rally, led by the indomitable duo of Javian Davis and Jhonathan Dunn, has Porto fans dreaming of a breakthrough on Europe’s biggest stage.
Let’s set the scene: FC Porto entered the qualifying campaign facing a tough draw. Their opening opponent, Hungary’s Falco Szombathely, boasted years of Champions League experience and a roster brimming with seasoned talent. As Axel Toupane told the club’s official website before the game, “They are a good team with experienced players. They have been together for some time and are used to playing in the Champions League, so it won’t be an easy game, but we will fight one game at a time and try to win them all.” The French forward’s words proved prophetic—the battle would be anything but easy.
By midway through the third quarter, Porto’s Champions League dreams looked ready to evaporate. Falco Szombathely was in full control, building a 61-42 advantage and dominating both ends of the court. The Hungarians’ defense was stifling, and Porto’s offense struggled to find rhythm. But basketball, as fans know, is a game of runs—and what followed was nothing short of astonishing.
Porto’s miraculous turnaround began with a surge of energy from their American imports. Javian Davis, relentless in the paint, poured in 25 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, muscling through Falco’s interior defenders. Jhonathan Dunn added 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, sparking the team with timely buckets and crucial stops. The blue-and-whites clawed their way back, chipping away at the deficit possession by possession. Incredibly, despite only leading for 2 minutes and 40 seconds the entire game, Porto snatched the lead late and never looked back.
“We had a good preparation, months of productive work in which we played some games and got to know each other. We are ready and eager to fight for qualification,” Toupane had assured fans before tip-off. That readiness was on full display as Porto’s defense tightened and Falco’s offense faltered. The Hungarian side, usually reliable from beyond the arc, endured a nightmare performance, connecting on just 2 of 26 three-point attempts—a statistic that ultimately doomed their hopes of advancing.
On the Falco side, Jubrile Belo fought valiantly with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while captain Zoltan Perl contributed 14 points. But their efforts weren’t enough to stave off the Portuguese onslaught. As the final buzzer sounded, it was Porto’s players who celebrated, having kept their Champions League ambitions alive against all odds.
For Porto, this victory was more than just a win—it was a statement. The Dragons, coached by Fernando Sá, have never appeared in the Basketball Champions League regular season before. To reach that milestone, they must win Group 3 of the qualification tournament. If they fall short, they’ll be relegated to the FIBA Europe Cup. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the pressure is mounting with each passing game.
Next up for Porto is a semifinal clash against Elan Chalon, the French club that dismantled Fribourg Olympic by 27 points in their own quarterfinal. Chalon’s performance was nothing short of dominant: Jeremiah Hill orchestrated the offense with 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Canadian guard Nate Darling exploded off the bench for 25 points in just 20 minutes. The French side’s ability to recover from an early 11-point deficit against Fribourg and then steamroll to victory makes them a formidable opponent for Porto.
Should Porto prevail in the semifinal, they’ll advance to the final of Qualification Round Tournament 3, where a ticket to the Champions League group stage awaits. The group itself is no easy path: the winner of QRT3 will join ALBA BERLIN (Germany), ERA Nymburk (Czech Republic), and Sabah BC (Azerbaijan) in Group B of the regular season. For a club that’s never graced this stage, the prospect is both thrilling and daunting.
Elsewhere in the Samokov qualifiers, other storylines have emerged. BC Juventus Utena of Lithuania outlasted Finland’s Karhu Basket Kauhajoki 103-89, with six players reaching double figures—Devon Daniels (22 points) and Evaldas Saulys (19 points, 5 rebounds) led the charge. Karhu’s Ike Nweke impressed with 23 points and 6 rebounds, but turnovers plagued the Finnish side, surrendering 21 points off 16 giveaways.
Meanwhile, UCAM Murcia from Spain booked their own semifinal berth with a convincing 100-84 win over Poland’s PGE Start Lublin. Devontae Cacok led Murcia with 17 points, while Michael Forrest added 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. Toni Nakic and Emmanuel Cate combined for 29 points, propelling the Spanish side onward. Lublin’s Tevin Mack shone with 26 points (including five triples), but it wasn’t enough to keep the Polish club in contention.
The semifinals and other qualification round games are set to continue on September 21 and 22, with the basketball world watching closely to see which teams will seize their shot at continental glory. For Porto, the journey is far from over. As Axel Toupane emphasized, “We will fight one game at a time and try to win them all.” The Dragons’ resilience and never-say-die attitude have already captured the imagination of their supporters—and perhaps sent a warning shot to the rest of Europe.
With their backs against the wall and history on the line, FC Porto’s basketball squad has shown it can rise to the occasion. Their comeback win over Falco Szombathely will be remembered as a defining moment in the club’s European adventure. Now, with a semifinal showdown against Elan Chalon looming, the Dragons have a chance to turn an improbable run into a historic breakthrough. The dream of Champions League basketball is alive and well in Porto—at least for now, the blue-and-whites are still dancing in Samokov.
