Köln 99ers seemed to have the magic touch as brand new acquisition Toby Bailey played a huge role in the Germans' 94-84 home victory over Elan Chalon in their Group B opener. Bailey, who was added to the Köln roster on Monday, collected 18 points and nine rebounds and Sasa Obradovic's team shot 56% from the field and hit 19-of-21 foul shots - arguably the club's best game of the season. Misan Nikagbatse added 12 points, four assists and two steals and he kick-started Köln's decisive 12-2 fourth quarter run. Immanuel McElroy led the Germans with 19 points and Milko Bjelica added 17. The French led going into the fourth quarter but fell apart late on the road. Rowan Barrett collected 25 points, four rebounds and four assists and Philippe Braud hit for 13 points off the bench.

Köln have struggled domestically but started very strong in the first quarter, opening a 28-20 lead after the first 10 minutes. Chalon found their rhythm and began imposing their style on the game as Barrett and Braud were hitting their three-pointers in cutting the deficit to 50-46 at the break. Gregor Beugnot's young team worked very hard defensively in the third and were rewarded with a 66-71 advantage going into the fourth. Köln veteran Aleksandar Nadjfeji drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 75-75 only to see Barrett answer with a trey of his own and two foul shots for a 77-80 Chalon lead. But Nikagbatse hit a jumper and three-pointer, made a steal and assisted on Bailey's three-pointer for an 89-82 Köln lead with 1:20 to play. John Ford scored on an offensive rebound put-back but Yassin Idbihi converted two layups in the final minute as Shawnta Rogers and Braud both missed three-pointers attempting to get back into the game.