By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
In the Final Four schedule there are four games, three with outstanding interest by anyone and one that nobody cares; even the players who take part. The 3rd place has no reason to be played, to be watched and to be held…
Euroleague didn’t have in its schedule a 3rd place game in its first Final Four of the new era in 2002, but came in the old model the next season. In the Final Four of the NCAA the last 3rd place game held in 1981 (Virginia won 78-74 LSU) and a non-basketball issue (the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan) was the reason that we had never again such again. Should we have 3rd place game in Euroleague’s Final Four?
On Sunday afternoon Barcelona after the heaviest loss in its European history will meet CSKA that come from the third huge “suicide” in row. Two teams in depression who will try to make a new start in the season by this game. Cause both of them want desperately to win their championships. Barcelona looks for the first -and only left- available trophy, Liga Endesa and CSKA for the VTB League. And their work is not easy. The Catalans will finish third in the regular season and have to overcome Valencia and Real Madrid probably with home disadvantage. The Russians are 0-2 back in the series against Lokomotiv and have to come back winning three do-or-die games in row. So, who among the players and the coaches will think the 3rd place game? None!
It will be like an exhibition game and probably their last without pressure in the season. Of course, this is a nice chance for the fans to watch top class teams play basketball on May under these circumstances. In any case, we have watched some really nice 3rd place games like the one in 2005 (Panathinaikos-CSKA 94-91) and the other one in 2008 (Siena-Tau 97-93). But who does really remember them?
Of course there are more reasons for this game to be held. Euroleague organizes a Final Four with four games and it’s normal that the earnings by the tickets, the TV rights and the sponsors would have reduced if there wasn’t a 3rd place game.
A fan who supports a team that lost the semifinal wants to watch his favorite team again even if there isn’t a real goal anymore. The same stands also for the fans on TV. Moreover, we would have a real mess if the half fans would start to sell their tickets on Saturday…
Do you think that you should have 3rd place game? Answer to the comments below!