By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The countdown for the end of Euroleague’s regular season has started. Three teams have already their Top16 ticket in their hand, some others have the advantage and there’s also those who are still fighting for survival.
In this context, among the less important games of this week there’s the clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Moscow. Yes, it’s always a big match up, but this time it’s more about pride than anything else. The “army team” has the spot almost locked and Maccabi hunts the second place vs Unicaja. That’s why we have to focus somewhere unexpected.
Eurohoops game of the week: Nizhny Novgorod – Zalgiris Kaunas
You probably didn’t expect that but let us explain ourselves. We need to acknowledge Nizhny (3-3) and Zalgiris (3-3) which started the season as outsiders, but already are on a Top16 course, having under them the much more ambitious and expensive roster of Unics. And they both can get to the Top16.
The winner of this game, having four wins will be almost in the second phase. That’s why we expect a match different contest, compared with the first round during which the Lithuanians were unmatched. Anything can happen and many things will be decided by the assists/turnovers ratio of both opponents. It will also be a great test for the young players of Zalgiris.
Honorable mention: Laboral Kutxa – Olympiacos
We made this choice for two key reasons. First of all the game is much more important for the hosts. Laboral (2-4) needs the win and didn’t expected that Neptunas will be a rival for the fourth spot of the group standings. If Olympiacos gets the win, like the Reds did many times in recent seasons, then the Basques will be really close to elimination.
Also in this game, no matter the result, Laboral Kutxa will became the first team which will reach the milestone of 25.000 points in Euroleague, as they need to score only 30. Also on the same night Vasilis Spanoulis is expected to pass Mike Batiste in the all time Euroleague scorers list.
Olympiacos has more quality, better chemistry and so far the best defense in the league. Still without Printezis and Lojeski playing, Laboral has the chance to get the win. Will the hosts made the most of it? It depends mainly on the game of Thomas Heurtel.
The question mark: Cedevita – Limoges
Both teams were competitive in most of their games, but with a 1-5 record, only the winner will have real hopes for a Top16 birth, provided that Unicaja will get the win at Berlin over Alba. The team of coach Repesa is constantly improving and the French champions are coming from two home defeats which were decided on the last quarter and their lack of experienced played a pivotal role. The hosts have the advantage, but that doesn’t mean a lot…
Under the microscope: Crvena Zvezda – Neptunas
In Group D Olympiacos has already secured a place in Top16, Zvezda, Neptunas and Galatasaray are tied at 3-3 and Laboral Kutxa hopes to squeeze in. So this is a very interesting game between two good teams, even if Neptunas on the road is much worse so far than at home. That means the favorite is quite clear.
This is also the first home game of the Serbs after the tragic loss of Marko Ivkovic. We just hope that this will not be the reason for a new chapter in the vicious circle of hate and violence.
Battles for survival
It’s now or never for Valencia (1-5) which lost a big chance at SEF and now has to make a great push in the last four games in order to cover the lost ground. Despite a relatively favorable schedule, the team of coach Perasovic can afford any other misstep. On the other hand Galatasaray is still in turmoil, Aldemir left for the Sixers, Pocius and Micov are still injured and that gives Valencia an edge.
Bayern travels to Athens also with a 1-5 record and needs a win at OAKA in order to still have hopes. Still, considering the defense of the Germans – the worst in the league – and the stability of Panathinaikos at home, it’s almost a mission impossible for Bayern.
Alba (2-4) hosts Unicaja (4-2) and a win over the Spaniards will be a decisive step for Top16. Berlin at O2 Arena is always stronger, but Unicaja is a real solid team which performs consistently no matter if it plays on the road, or at home. We expect a thrilling match up.
The game of Unics Kazan (2-4) at Madrid can also be considered a survival battle. But it’s just not easy for anyone against Real. After all, coach Pashutin knows that the big bet for his team will be 3/3 wins against Sassari and Niznhy on the road and Zalgiris at home.
Euroleague 2014-2015 – 7th Day
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Cedevita Zagreb |
Limoges |
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Alba Berlin |
Unicaja Malaga |
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F.C. Barcelona |
EA7 Milano |
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Laboral Kutxa |
Olympiacos |
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Valencia |
Galatasaray MP |
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Maccabi Tel Aviv |
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Nizhny Novgorod |
Zalgiris |
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Neptunas |
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Dinamo Sassari |
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PGE Turow |
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FC Bayern |
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UNICS Kazan |