Baskonia Enter EuroLeague Opener with the Same Twelve, Alex Len Still Sidelined

On October 24, Baskonia will officially begin their 2026-2026 EuroLeague campaign by hosting Olympiacos at the Fernando Buesa Arena. The game is scheduled for 20:30 local time, and fans of the Basque club have been waiting a long time for this moment. Yet the atmosphere in Vitoria-Gasteiz before the opening game is not festive. Experts are focused on a much bigger issue than the result: Baskonia's roster is severely depleted, and head coach Paolo Galbiati shows no signs of change before tip-off. According to the original analysis, Baskonia are not in the best position to start the season. After losing to Joventut in the semifinals of the Spanish Supercup, the Basque side showed problems in roster depth, paint defense, and offensive stability. Galbiati is aware of that, but he does not have many options. In Wednesday's press conference, the Italian coach confirmed that he will use the same twelve players who faced Joventut for the game against Olympiacos. Galbiati repeated: “I use those twelve. Same roster, same players.” The short response was clear enough: Baskonia have no significant additions before the opening game. A coach who usually keeps lineups secret confirming the list only shows how limited the situation is. He has no reason to surprise anyone because his available players are already well known. The hottest topic of the press conference was Alex Len. The Ukrainian center arrived at Baskonia to strengthen the paint, but he has not yet made his debut. Len was not included in the twelve-man squad for Olympiacos, and Galbiati refused to explain. When asked about Len's situation, he said: “He is not in the list. If you want to know why, talk to the club.” That answer suggests Len's issue is beyond tactical decisions. Coaches usually talk about fitness, adaptation, or technical demands when a new signing has not played. But sending the question to the club means this is an internal matter, possibly related to paperwork, contract status, or undisclosed conditions. That makes fans even more worried, because Baskonia need a real center against a powerful opponent like Olympiacos. Without Len, Baskonia must manage with existing options. Notably, the EuroLeague roster now includes three young players: Stefan Joksimovic, Pedro Souza, and Thierry Henry. They have been registered and currently occupy spots in the squad. That means Baskonia are relying on players with little European experience to fill the gaps left by those who left. In the long run, this could be a developmental opportunity, but in the EuroLeague opener, it is a major gamble. The roster situation looks worse when looking at the departures. Trent Forrest, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Mamadi Diakite, and Eugene Omoruyi have all left Vitoria. Each departure leaves a different hole. Forrest organized the offense and applied full-court pressure. Luwawu-Cabarrot provided wing flexibility and versatile defense. Diakite and Omoruyi added mobility in the forward and center spots. Together, their exits removed depth and balance from the roster. In European basketball, registering young players in the EuroLeague is not unusual. Many teams do it to save money, develop talent, and prepare for the future. But Baskonia's problem is timing. These young players occupy spots exactly when the team is facing one of its most difficult seasons. Baskonia need players who can contribute immediately, handle pressure, and understand Galbiati's tactical demands. The three young names may not be ready for that task. Olympiacos will be the harshest possible test for a patchwork lineup. The Greek club is known for defensive solidity, tempo control, and varied offensive options. They have deep EuroLeague experience. If Baskonia cannot stay focused for 40 minutes, the smallest mistakes will be punished. With a shallow roster, that risk grows even bigger. The Fernando Buesa Arena has always been a great advantage for Baskonia. Fans in Vitoria are famous for their passion and patience. But even home-court advantage cannot fully cover a lack of personnel. If the young players are not stable, Olympiacos could turn the game into a comfortable night. Galbiati might ask his starters to play with high intensity for long stretches, but that will affect fitness in the next games, where the EuroLeague schedule is already demanding. EuroLeague never allows any team to rest. Every week, teams face long travels, different rivals, and constant intensity. With a thin roster, Baskonia will struggle not only against Olympiacos but also in the following rounds. Galbiati knows this. Keeping the same twelve may not be stubbornness; it may simply reflect that he has no other choice. The original article says more roster moves are expected in Vitoria soon. That gives fans hope, but it does not solve the immediate problem. The transfer market always has variables: price, contract terms, and player availability. A deal can take days or even weeks. Meanwhile, EuroLeague waits for no one. Baskonia need results now, but their roster conditions do not allow that to happen easily. The defeat to Joventut in the Spanish Supercup exposed Baskonia's current limits. The Basque side struggled to move the ball from the backcourt, lacked ideas under pressure, and could not sustain offensive rhythm at key moments. These issues cannot be fixed in one practice. They require time, cohesion, and players capable of executing the coach's plan. Without depth, every plan becomes fragile. One of the most frustrating parts for fans is the lack of transparency around Alex Len. If Len has a fitness issue, the club could say so. If he is not ready tactically, the coach could explain. But pushing every question to the club makes it impossible for outsiders to know what is happening. Silence and short answers usually create more rumors than reassurance. Looking at Baskonia's recent transfer strategy, the club always tries to balance youth development and immediate competitiveness. Registering Stefan Joksimovic, Pedro Souza, and Thierry Henry could be part of that strategy. But in a season where the team has already lost so many key players, betting on young players is risky. If they perform well, Baskonia will have a pleasant surprise. If they are not ready, the team will pay for it in the standings. On the other side, these young players now have a huge opportunity. Playing in the EuroLeague, facing the best teams in Europe, and performing under real pressure is something many players dream of. They can prove their value not only to Baskonia's staff but also to the entire transfer market. The real star is not the one who scores points, but the one who makes his teammates score more easily. If any of the three young players can do that, he will become the most interesting discovery of the opener. The pressure on Galbiati is growing. A coach limited by a depleted roster is rarely judged fairly. But elite basketball does not accept excuses. The result against Olympiacos will be the first measurement of his ability this season. If Baskonia play poorly, the stories about Alex Len and the departed players will be discussed again. If the team surprises, it will be proof of the Italian coach's ability to manage. In the EuroLeague, no game is easy. Especially in the first round, when teams are still building their identity, surprises are possible. Baskonia could lose heavily, or they could win thanks to the home crowd and opponents' mistakes. But to hope for better things, the Basque club needs to solve its personnel situation. A patchwork roster rarely goes far in a competition as tough as the EuroLeague. Baskonia fans have long been used to the team fighting under imperfect conditions. They have seen generations of academy players grow into pillars. They have also accepted defeats with patience. But every patience has limits. If the management does not act soon, the atmosphere at the Fernando Buesa Arena will become even more tense in the coming weeks. The game against Olympiacos therefore means more than an opener. It is a test for Baskonia's entire operation, from the locker room, coaching staff, to the front office. If everything runs smoothly, the Basque side can overcome this difficult phase. If not, the story will not stop at one loss; it will last all season. A basketball court never lies, and some people are patient enough to hear it breathe. Looking at the lineup, it is easy to see that Baskonia lack a true center. Alex Len, if available, would be the ideal solution to protect the paint, fight for rebounds, and create more space for the shooters. Without Len, Galbiati must use smaller players at the five spot, or ask the entire team to play faster and reduce pressure under the basket. Both options have risks. Olympiacos have surely studied this weakness. A veteran team like them knows how to exploit the painted area, attack the rim directly, or create high-percentage shots near the basket. Baskonia will have to spend enormous energy to compensate for the lack of size. That affects perimeter defense, because players will have to help more and leave open three-point opportunities. Offensively, Baskonia also face a major challenge. Missing players who can create their own shots, the Basque side depends more on collective movement. Galbiati could ask for more passes, constant off-ball movement, and effective screen actions. But if the opponent pressures the ball handler and plays high, those actions become much harder without a skilled screening center. EuroLeague history shows that many teams have survived the early season with an incomplete roster, but very few maintained that until the end. This competition is a long battle where roster depth is decisive. Baskonia may steal a few surprising wins in the short term, but without reinforcements, they will soon run out of gas. So the first question after the Olympiacos game may not be about winning or losing; it may be about the club's roster plan for the next weeks. From a fan perspective, this is an anxious start. But in basketball, great stories often start in difficult circumstances. Young players can make a difference if they are trusted. Galbiati can build a group that knows how to fight rather than a group of stars. The problem is time. The EuroLeague waits for no one, and Olympiacos will show no mercy. The match on October 24 at 20:30 local time will soon answer all those questions. Can Baskonia surprise with the twelve players they have? Will Alex Len appear on the bench, or will he remain absent? Can Galbiati find a new tactical formula while the roster is incomplete? The court will provide the answers. For now, fans can only wait and believe that their team will find its own path.