It is the first day of 2012, and as we continue the second half of the domestic league seasons. Let TalkBasket update you all on what’s happening round Europe.

Spain – Going into 2012, Barcelona lead the way with an 11-2 record, beating Manresa 74-61 in their final game of the year to maintain their top spot status. Unicaja Malaga, Real Madrid and Caja Laboral are tied for second, all with 10-3 records.

Real Madrid failed to move into joint first after a shock 78-75 defeat to Joventut, who are 14th with a 5-8 record.

Euroleague side, Gescrap Bilbao are struggling as the ACB heads to 2012. They are rooted to 10th spot with a 5-7 record after a nailbiting 79-80 loss at home to Caja Laboral on the 29th.

Greece – It’s the usual story in the Greek A1 league with Olympiacos and Panathinaikos each with 8-1 records at the top. But they are also joined by Kolossos as well.

While Olympiacos’ only defeat came at the hands of Panathinaikos at the OAKA (74-70), Pana’s loss came the next week when they went down 79-70 to mid-table side Kavala.

Russia – BC Khimki and CSKA Moscow both head the PBL going into the new year with 5-1 records. Unics Kazan are surprisingly down in 7th, third from bottom with a 2-3 record.

Italy – Montepaschi Siena lead the Italian Serie A league with a 10-2 record, with EA7 Milano in second at 9-3.

With the exception of the top two, it’s pretty close with not much seperating third place Bologna to 11th placed Pepsi Caserta.

Bennet Cantu, the surprise package of the Euroleague are in fourth place (8-5) while Virtus Roma – in previous years an experienced Euroleague side – are down in 12th with a 6-7 record. They have won their last two games though, but face EA7 Milano on the 3rd.

Germany – Brose Baskets and Ratiopharm Ulm lead the way in the German Bundesliga with 12-2 records. Artland Dragons are back in third with ALBA Berlin stuck in fourth position as we head to the next round of games on January 4th.

While Brose Baskets are favourites to win this season’s Bundesliga, a lot was made of the well-known ALBA Berlin side in the off-season. Especially with guard Heiko Schaffartzik coming off a good Eurobasket with the German national side, at the moment they currently post a 9-4 record but do have games in hand.

Turkey – It is a well contested TBL at the moment, as they head to their next round of fixtures on Jnauary 4th. Anadolu Efes lead the way at 10-2, but from second (Banvit BK) down to fifth (Fenerbahce), they are all tied for third with records of 9-3. Galatasaray and Besiktas are the other teams involved.

It’s a sorry state of affairs though for Bandirma Kirmizi, who after 12 weeks are still yet to register a win in the TBL and are bottom of he pile.

Serbia – With Partizan, Hemofarm, Crvena Zvezda and Radnicki playing in the Adriatic League, the Domestic Serbian league is led by KK Vojvodina Novi Sad going into the new year.

Vojvodina (12-2) have a cushion on second placed BKK Radnicki who are on 10-4.

Great Britain – In the year of the Olympics in Britain, Newcastle Eagles lead the way in the BBL with a 9-1 record followed closely by the only team to beat them this season, Worcester Wolves.

The British Basketball League returns to action today (1/1/12) as Guildford Heat host Durhaam Wildcats in a match-up of the bottom two sides.