By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Finally it’s opening night! Turkish Airlines Euroleague’s season starts today and Eurohoops picks the game of the week, presents the two days schedule and the things that you need to know for the first week of action.
We have already created our own power rankings for 24 teams of the competitions, dividing them into those which must do more than expected in order to get to the Top16, those which are expected to be part of the second phase and also those which are already thinking about the play offs and in some cases, even about the Final Four.
Game of the WEEK: CSKA Moscow – Maccabi Tel Aviv
15 October, CET 19.00 USH CSKA
Is there a best way for the season to start than a classic game between two historic clubs? This is a season with many interesting storylines to follow and the game no34 between the Russians and the Israelis is the most interesting contest of the first day. After all, besides their long history, they have also played in two finals and two semifinals of the modern day Euroleague.
CSKA is always a title contender and we expect the new and improved version of Maccabi Tel Aviv to be tested. The backcourt duel of Teodosic – De Colo vs Farmar and Rochestie will be the key and even if this is just the first game of the season, we expect to see an uptempo game. It’s obvious that Freeland from CSKA and Faverani from Maccabi will be both missed in the post, however the two teams have a deep bench and many other options. Who is the favorite? CSKA, but who can underestimate Maccabi?
15 October
Pinar Karsiyaka – Barcelona
CET: 18.00
Karsiyaka Arena
Crvena Zvezda – SIG Strasbourg
CET: 19.00
Kombank Arena
Dogus Darussafaka – Dinamo Sassari
CET: 20.00
Ayhan Sahenk Sports Hall
Unicaja Malaga – Brose Baskets
CET 20.45
Martin Carpena
Olympiacos – Cedevita
CET 20.45
Heraklion Arena
16 October
Lokomotiv Kuban – Panathinaikos
CET 17.00
Basket Hall
Fenerbahce – Bayern Munich
CET 18.45
Ulker Sports Arena
Zielona Gora – Zalgiris Kaunas
CET 19.00
Centrum Sportowe
Khimki – Real Madrid
CET 19.00
Center of Moscow Region
EA7 Milano – Laboral Kutxa
CET 20.45
Mediolanum Forum
Limoges – Anadolu Efes
CET 20.45
BeauBlanc
You also need to know
- This is the first ever Euroleague game for Karsiyaka and the first duel of the Turkish team with Barcelona.
- Also Crvena Zvezda and Strasbourg are crossing paths for the first time.
- Dogus Darussafaka is also making its debute in the top European clubs competition.
- Οlympiacos is punished after its fans entered the court in Game 4 of last season’s playoff against Barcelona and that’s why the Reds are going to play their firest game at Creta Island.
- Giorgos Bartzokas will play with Lokomotiv Kuban against Panathinaikos. His last game on Olympiacos‘ bench was also played against Panathinaikos and it was the 2014 cup quarterfinal.
- Nick Calathes returns to Krasnodar! In 2013 he was the hero of the club, winning the Eurocup and the MVP award.
- Ζielona Gora and Zalgiris are also meeting for the first time.