Life is about second chances and Kyiv has lived up to its billing in hosting the 2006 EuroCup Final Four one year after it had to give up the event.

This thought was echoed on Saturday by FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos and Secretary General Nar Zanolin during a press conference at the Hotel National in Kyiv.

Final Four hosts BC Kyiv had the wind taken out of their sails on Friday in the semi-final of the EuroCup, stumbling at the first hurdle of the tournament against DKV Joventut.

The FIBA Europe League finalists failed to take advantage of the home crowd and never really found their 'A' game in a contest which was dominated by their Spanish opponents.

A loss is always disappointing, but it tends to hurt even more when your club is hosting a major international event such as the EuroCup Final Four.

It also tends to be more painful when the club President and national basketball legend never had the same opportunity.