By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Two games are left for the end of the regular season and it’s about time to learn who are going to play in Top16 and who will have to wait until the last moment in order to secure the sport in the second phase. We also have a big game for pride between Barcelona and Fenerbahce/ Ulker, which is not expected to effect the final standings. The Catalans have secured the top spot and Fenerbahce can lock the second place with a win next week in Istanbul against already disqualified Bayern Munich.
Eurohoops game of the week: Laboral Kutxa – Valencia
That’s a really big game. The hosts (4-4) are coming from 2/2 wins against Olympiacos at home and Galatasaray on the road, they are back in Top16 course and they will lock their spot with a win against an other Spanish team, Valencia (2-6). Coach Perasovic team is in a really tight spot after losing at home to Crvena Zvezva, however still has some chances with two wins in the last two game. We expect a real fight, since this can be the last stand of Valencia.
Honorable mention: Neptunas – Galatasaray
It’s also a “final”! Neptunas (3-5) has already exceeded expectation in its first Euroleague season. However now the challenge is even bigger and the Lithuanians can get to Top16, making a huge step by beating Galatasaray. The Turks (3-5) after losing at home to Laboral Kutxa are on the verge of elimination. The winner of this game will get the advantage and that goes double for the guests, which will have also the tie breaking advantage over Neptunas with two wins in the game between them. Plus a win of Galatasaray combined with a win of Valencia in Vitoria can give to the Turks a Top16 spot before their next week’s game against Olympiacos. It’s a game that will be decided by the tempo which will be imposed and shooting efficiency, specially of the forwards.
The question mark: Unics Kazan – Zalgiris
After changing the coach, Unics turned things around, has three straight wins and a 4-4 record. The ultimate come back will be completed with a win over Zalgiris which equals a Top16 tickets. Zalgiris (4-4) is one of the pleasant surprised of the league, also the win equals Top16, but even without it, the Lithuanians can still make it by beating Sassari next week in Kaunas. Despite their VTB league bad defeat by CSKA, the hosts are the favorite, having American firepower and Greek experience in their roster. Zalgiris should try and control the tempo and above everything else protect the ball, since turnovers are the big issue so far.
The “couple”
The game at Belgrade between Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos was special, because of the relationship between the two teams. We expect a remake at Piraeus. The Greek club doesn’t have such a big dedicated basketball fan base, compared of course to its football fans, but this game can end up being the first sold out of the season for the Reds. On the court, the states are not that high. Both teams have already made it to Top16 and the hosts need a win or a defeat by four points or less in order to seal the first place of the final standings.
The – next week – showdown
In Group B only the fourth spot that leads to Top16 is still open. Cedevita (2-6) hosts already qualified Maccabi and Limoges (2-6) plays against Alba Berlin (3-5). Still, no matter the results on those two games, Alba needs to beat next week Cedevita at Berlin in order to get to four wins. The Germans have the advantage, as they have already won in Zagreb and the French champions will have to travel to Moscow in order to face CSKA.
Euroleague 2014-2015 – 9th Day
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Laboral Kutxa |
Valencia |
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EA7 Milano |
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Limoges |
Alba Berlin |
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F.C. Barcelona |
Fenerbahce |
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Neptunas |
Galatasaray MP |
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Unicaja Malaga |
CSKA Moscow |
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Cedevita Zagreb |
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UNICS Kazan |
Zalgiris |
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FC Bayern |
PGE Turow |
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Nizhny Novgorod |
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Dinamo Sassari |