By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Yes, the last round is here! Three tickets remain open and will be decided in the next two days, when we will find out the 4 pairs of the semifinals! Here you can consult us about all the possible scenarios, so you won’t have any questions while you’re busy watching the games. Let’s scan the 14th day!
Game of the week: Alba Berlin – Maccabi (April 9 20:00 CET)
A huge game! Two out of the three teams that are after two spots (together with Panathinaikos) are engaged in a “final” for qualification! Alba (7-6) got the big win at OAKA and knows that with another win they advance to the playoffs since they’ve also won away from home in Israel! The European champions (8-5) are called to give a battle for survival, one that they thought would come later on down the track. With a win they’re in the playoffs, and if they lose they will be hoping for a gift by Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade.
A completely unpredictable game. Maccabi scores more, Alba tries to play a game of a much more controlled pace, but they are also heavily reliant on shots from the perimeter and on their point guards. Which will turn out to be the catalyst? The home advantage and the Berliners’ momentum or Maccabi’s historical importance and tradition? Don’t miss it!
Honorable mention: Fenerbahce – Anadolu Efes (April 9 19:00 CET)
The home team (10-3) has secured the home advantage and is coming from two straight defeats (Laboral and Banvit). They host Efes (6-7) who are burning for the win in order to advance to the top eight! Obradovic is clearly more relaxed than his best man and best friend Dusan Ivkovic! Hickman’s absence will cost them, but Fenerbahce possesses enough quality and talent to find balance and solutions from within. Efes who is continuing to have significant fluctuations in their performances, even during the same game, is approaching the game as a final. The motivation is all on the part of the visitors in this “civil war” between the top teams of the TBL and between best men.
Life or… luck: Crvena Zvezda – Panathinaikos (April 9 21:45 CET)
Crvena Zvezda (3-10) wants to close a successful season in the Euroleague with their head held high and to satisfy their fans that are going to pack Pionir Hall. Panathinaikos (7-6) was counting on going to Belgrade having already qualified mathematically to the playoffs. But the glitch at OAKA places them in the process of a “final” since only with a win they are secure. If they lose they’ll be wishing Alba lose too. Here, instead of “Do or Die” we say just “Do” or else you’re going to need a whole lot of luck to stay alive.
The game will be decided by how the following question is answered. Which will turn out to be the catalyst? The extra motivation and survival instinct of a great team like Panathinaikos, or the home advantage and the lower amount of stress on the part of the Serbs? In basketball terms, Ivanovic has to find a solution to the phenomenon called Marjanovic and it’ll be important for his players to be on a good night in terms of execution, as Crvena Zvezda, especially at home, plays some good defense.
Of the same nature: Malaga – Laboral Kutxa (April 9 21:45 CET)
Exactly the same particulars! Just replace Malaga with Crvena Zvezda and Laboral with Panathinaikos. The only difference is that if the Basques don’t win they stay out of the top eight for sure. Malaga (3-10) had a Top 16 run that was below expectations, Ibon Navarro’s team an impressive second round. A peculiar game since only one of the teams has a stake in it, and at the same time, we are speaking of a wholly Spanish game in regards to the competition aspect and the tempo.
The rest of the games
Friday does not offer the same thrills because in the rest of the games there are no teams that are desperate. Thursday’s schedule wraps up with the game Olimpia Milano – CSKA (April 9, 20:45 CET). The Italian champions have been knocked out, the “bear” have the advantage and if they win, they’ll be first in their group.
Real host Zalgiris (April 10, 21:00 CET) without Rudy Fernandez at their disposal and are chasing the win in order to secure 1st place in the group. In Piraeus (April 10, 17:00 CET) third in their group Olympiacos are expecting Nizhny Novgorod, who bid farewell after an awesome first season in the tournament. Finally, in Turkey Galatasaray hosts Barcelona (April 10, 19:00 CET). A torturous season in Europe comes to a close for the home team.