By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague.net asked the head coaches whose teams faced CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul, Real Madrid and Zalgiris Kaunas earlier this season to give their take on the outcomes of the Final Four games.
Here are their answers with Giannis Sfairopoulos of Olympiacos and Svetislav Pesic of Barcelona not providing any answers
| Luca Banchi, Brose Bamberg | Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul | Simone Pianigiani, AX Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Which team will win the first semifinal on May 18 between Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul and Zalgiris Kaunas, and why? | ||
| “Fenerbahce will beat Zalgiris. The reason is a little bit difficult to explain. Fener has the experience, the consistency and the habit of playing at that level. Zalgiris, on the other side, has the enthusiasm and the unpredictability; that will help the team a lot. At the end I believe that Fener has more clutch players, who can decide a game in a final possession.” | “Fenerbahce Dogus. They are the more experienced team.” | “Fenerbahce will win because at the end of the day it’s the most versatile team, it’s more experienced and with more depth. It’s simply too much for Zalgiris to overcome.” |
| Which team will win the second semifinal on May 18 between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid, and why? | ||
| “My prediction is for CSKA. The way they played the playoffs against Khimki helped the team prove that their value can go over their injuries. They discovered some powers even on the second unit. So, if they get everyone back, I believe CSKA has the key additions to beat Real.” | “Real Madrid. Because they have had better performances in the last games.” | “It’s going to be a close battle between two very talented teams. It will depend by how De Colo will recover from the injury. I’ll take CSKA because, after a less troubled season than the one Real experienced with the injuries and changes, will rely on more sure things.” |
| Between your two semifinals winners, which will win the title game on May 20 and become EuroLeague champion, and why? | ||
| “CSKA is my favorite team to win the EuroLeague crown, because in the end, they have nuances better than Fener.” | “Which team has a good game, will win. It’s a 50-50 affair, I cannot decide.” | “If CSKA is going to make it to the final, then it won’t be stopped. Again, it’s too much talent for Fenerbahce.” |
| On the team to you have chosen to win the title, which player will become the Final Four MVP, and why? | ||
| “My candidates for the Finals MVP are Clyburn and Higgins. Two players that are probably a little bit underestimated, but they can become the key players in the two final days of the season because of their versatility and their instinct.” | “Luka Doncic for Madrid or Jan Vesely for Fenrbahce.” | “I expect De Colo or Rodriguez to win the award. They are the best CSKA players; they will win because of them.” |
| Milenko Topic, Crvena Zvezda | Neven Spahija, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv | Txus Vidorreta, Valencia Basket |
|---|---|---|
| Which team will win the first semifinal on May 18 between Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul and Zalgiris Kaunas, and why? | ||
| “In the first semifinal in Belgrade, I give an advantage to Fenerbahce Dogus, because of the experience of those players and coach. However, we need to point out Zalgiris Kaunas, because of their good season and good team-play.” | “Fenerbahce is more likely to win because the coach and players have more experience. Even if it’s only one game, I think it can make a difference.” | “Zalgiris. They have been a great surprise this season up to this point, and I think they can surprise once again because they play with no pressure.” |
| Which team will win the second semifinal on May 18 between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid, and why? | ||
| “In the second semifinal, it will all depend on the condition of injured players. If both teams play with a full roster, I think that CSKA has a slight advantage.” | “I think it will be CSKA. This game is 50-50 and as close as it can be. It’s hard to choose, but I think CSKA has a slight edge in its favor.” | “Real Madrid. They had a season with many injuries and I think they are super-motivated to play in this Final Four.” |
| Between your two semifinals winners, which will win the title game on May 20 and become EuroLeague champion, and why? | ||
| “It’s hard to predict what will happen in the championship game, it will be interesting and uncertain.” | “I will go with CSKA, because they have a deeper bench. Of course, this is very hard to predict. I think the gap in the score will be very small.” | “I think Zalgiris will win.” |
| On the team to you have chosen to win the title, which player will become the Final Four MVP, and why? | ||
| “If Fenerbahce Dogus wins, I think the MVP will be Jan Vesely or Brad Wanamaker. On the other hand, for CSKA the MVP could be Will Clyburn or Nando De Colo.” | “Nando De Colo. He’s the best player in Europe right now.” | “The MVP will be for Kevin Pangos.” |
| Pedro Martinez, Baskonia | Joan Paza, Unicaja Malaga | Georgios Bartzokas, Khimki Moscow Region |
|---|---|---|
| Which team will win the first semifinal on May 18 between Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul and Zalgiris Kaunas, and why? | ||
| “Fenerbahce because it’s the team that has more experienced players in this kind of competition.” | “Fenerbahce, because of the experience that they already have in this kind of tournament.” | “My philosophy in the Final Four is that the potential of the team is not so important. All the teams have pressure to win the title, but Zalgiris not so much. So, this is one of the advantages for Zalgiris. On the other hand, experience is the most important part of the EuroLeague, so I can say that in this process Zalgiris has a disadvantage. All the other teams participated in the Final Four in the past. Fenerbahce knows how to handle the pressure and the media because the Final Four is not only the 40 minutes of the game, but the whole process over there, I mean the media, the interest of the people, and [Fenerbahce] knows how to handle this because they did it three times in a row. So, I think, it’s like 51 to 49 in favor of Fenerbahce.” |
| Which team will win the second semifinal on May 18 between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid, and why? | ||
| “Real Madrid because it gets to the Final Four in a better moment and without injured players.” | “Real Madrid. Because of the second breath of fresh air they will have with Llull back fresh and in shape.” | “I always say that the Final Four is about how the teams are in the shape in these two days. Right now, Real has a full roster, but they are not in great shape. Campazzo is an important player for them. He will play, but I don’t know about his shape. Also, Llull came back, but he doesn’t have game rhythm like to play three or four months. Let’s say it will be 51 to 49 for CSKA, because De Colo and Hines are back.” |
| Between your two semifinals winners, which will win the title game on May 20 and become EuroLeague champion, and why? | ||
| “Real Madrid because one team wins and the other loses.” | “Fenerbahce, because of their better balance between offense, defense and experience.” | “I’m not a magician, but If the final will be CSKA against Fenerbahce, I’ll give 51 percent for Fenerbahce against 49 for CSKA.” |
| On the team to you have chosen to win the title, which player will become the Final Four MVP, and why? | ||
| “Luka Doncic, because of his talent.” | “Jan Vesely, because of his impact on both ends of the court.” | “Kostas Sloukas, because in all big games he’s always there.” |
| Xavi Pascual, Panathinaikos | ||
|---|---|---|
| Which team will win the first semifinal on May 18 between Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul and Zalgiris Kaunas, and why? | ||
| “It’s impossible for me to predict who will win this game. Anything can happen. Both teams play great defense and I think that it will be a game with not very high scores, probably under 80 points, maybe even below 75. Both teams also play good offensive options. Anybody can win.” | ||
| Which team will win the second semifinal on May 18 between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid, and why? | ||
| “It’s also impossible for me to guess an outcome for this game. This is sports and anything can happen. I think, however, that this game will have more points, more possessions and will probably go over the 80 points. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a close ending to be decided with an individuality by any of their great players.” | ||
| Between your two semifinals winners, which will win the title game on May 20 and become EuroLeague champion, and why? | ||
| “If I could not pick winners for the semifinals, it’s even harder to choose a champion. I think any of the four teams can win the title. I think this Final Four has a very even level among all four participants and I don’t see any clear favorites.” | ||
| On the team to you have chosen to win the title, which player will become the Final Four MVP, and why? | ||
| “I can choose a player for each of the teams maybe. For Real Madrid I think Sergio Llull could be MVP. For CSKA Moscow, Nando De Colo. For Fenerbahce Dogus, Kostas Sloukas and for Zalgiris Kaunas, Kevin Pangos.” | ||