By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Τhe game of Lietuvos Rytas against Laboral Kutxa today is the first of the 3rd Euroleague gameday with 6 Thursday games and 5 on Friday. Seven teams are unbeaten so far and seven more are still searching for their first win. What’s a fact, however, is that the unbeaten teams after this week will be less, since four of them are facing each other. For the first time Olympiacos and Bayern Munich will play a game of basketball, but the big game is an other one.
Game of the week: Fenerbahce/ Ulker – CSKA Moscow
Does anyone disagree? For the second straight week Fener is our choice, but we couldn’t do anything else. The transformed by Zeljko Obradovic team is hosting CSKA Moscow. Both teams are unbeaten and the top spot of their group standings is on the line in a game that’s expected to be a basketball feast.
It’s not just two contenders meeting for the first time in the season, it’s not just some of the biggest stars of the league on the court, it’s something more and it’s…
Ζoc vs Messina!
Two of the best and most successful coaches in Europe, two traditional opponents, Ettore Messina and his nemesis – or Achilles as he named him during a final four press conference – Zeljko Obradovic. Zoc has beaten Messina in three Euroleague finals in 2002, in 2007 and in 2009. So who will strike first blood this season? It remains to be seen as already Obradovic is the talk of the town in Istanbul among Fenerbahce fans.
Honorable mention: Unicaja Malaga – Galatasaray
Both teams have a 1-1 record and they want to stay on the hunt of unbeaten Olympiacos. The hosts have to protect their home court and the Turkish champions after adding Pops Mensah-Bonsu are still searching for one more player in order to replace Manuchar Markoishvili. Also Aldemir, Arslan, Akyol and Atsur are fighting with injuries. It will be a game of rhythm and we expect the duel of the guards to be the key for the winner.
Under the microscope: The “wondering” gift
In our Euroleague presentation we mention that newcomer Lokomotiv Kuban, the winner of the last Eurocup, is not a team with no ambitions. On the contrary it’s unit ready for Top16 that can be even a part of the play offs. The Russians already have a 2-0 record and they are hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv (1-1).
And that brings us to Richard Hendrix. He is a player signed by David Blatt in Maccabi, but his relationship with the coach wasn’t that great. So he ended up in Armani Milano – with a big contract – and then coach Scariolo decided to kick him out. It was a gift to Lokomotiv, which found its best front line player in him. You can bet that Hendrix has an extra motive for this game as both opponents are two very different teams. Maccabi is its usual run and gun self and “Loko” will try to slow things down and win by defense and control of the tempo.
The question: Red alliance
Panathinaikos will be traveling to Belgrade in order to play against Crvena Zvezda. The Greeks are the favorites, having more experience and quality in their roster. The question of this game, however, doesn’t have to do with the things happening on the court. The ultras of Olympiacos have an alliance with those of Crvena Zvezda because of their common colors, common religion and even players that have been members of both teams – not only in basketball.
So, expect something close to an Olympiacos – Panathinaikos game, at least in the stands. And be sure that you will hear some chants in Greek!