RISSKOV, Denmark (Interstat) — Bakken will host Benfica on Wednesday at Vejlby Risskov Center in Risskov, Denmark, in a matchup of teams off to strong starts. Bakken, nicknamed the Bears, enters 4-1. Benfica, the visiting side, is 3-1.

Bakken’s only loss came against Salon Vilpas, a 90-72 defeat. The Bears have posted wins over Gladsaxe, EBAA, Horsens IC and Landstede. They beat EBAA 108-84, Horsens IC 83-64 and Landstede 89-78. Benfica has won three of four, with its lone defeat coming against Vechta, 98-88. The visitors have picked up wins over SC Portugal, Geneve and Geneva Lions. Benfica beat Geneve and Geneva Lions by identical 87-78 scores.

Benfica’s player to watch is Brandon Slater. In his most recent game, an 84-71 win over SC Portugal, Slater finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. He also had 21 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist in 28 minutes in a loss to Vechta, and 12 points and 2 rebounds in 19 minutes in a win over Geneve. He also had 12 points and 2 rebounds against Geneva Lions. Luther Muhammad added 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the SC Portugal win, and Luke Barrett totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds. Muhammad played 29 minutes and Barrett played 29 minutes.

Bakken’s player to watch is Anton Katholm. Katholm is coming off a 21-point, 9-rebound, 3-assist performance in 22 minutes in a 112-75 win over Gladsaxe. He had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes against Bears Academy, 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 15 minutes against Landstede, 2 points in 12 minutes against Horsens IC and 4 points in 19 minutes against Salon Vilpas. In the Gladsaxe win, Djahi Binet added 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block, while Ian Dubose had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Binet played 22 minutes and Dubose played 17 minutes.

The game is part of a busy stretch for both teams. Benfica will continue its schedule with games against Porto, Denizli Basket, Oliveirense, Prievidza, Queluz Sintra, Geneva Lions, Portimonense, Absheron, Esgueira and Bakken. Bakken’s upcoming slate includes Randers, Geneva Lions, Vaerlose BBK, Absheron, Copenhagen, Prievidza, Holbaek-Stenhus, Denizli Basket, Naestved and Benfica. The teams are scheduled to meet again at Benfica later in the schedule.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Bakken 87, Benfica 80.