By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Three teams have not been defeated yet in Euroleague, but their stories is really different. In group B Maccabi Tel Aviv survived by a bucket in Berlin and still is perfect (5-0), in group C Zalgiris Kaunas (5-0) is the big surprise of the league and in group D Barcelona (5-0) prevailed emphatically at Moscow over CSKA (4-1).
However the biggest story of the week comes from group A, where Real Madrid still leads (4-1), but Fenerbahce/Ulker lost a step (3-2) after being beaten in Italy by Cantu (2-3) and is tied with Khimki (3-2) which won the game against Panathinaikos in Athens (2-3). In the relatively weak group B Unicaja (4-1) rests alone on second place with Alba Berlin (2-3) and Siena (2-3) following. In group C Anadolu Efes (3-2) and Olympiacos (3-2) are tied in second place and in group D Besiktas is third (3-2) and Brose Baskets fourth (2-3).
Eurohoops MVP
He was the one who broke the game open in the third quarter and essentially paved the way for the win of Zalgiris at Istanbul versus Anadolu Efes (77-64). He finished the game with 21 points and 7/10 three pointers, three rebounds, one assist and four turnovers. One of the best “sniper” of his generation at his best.
Best five
- Vassilis Spanoulis: The champions got an important win on the road against EA7 Armani Milano (84-71) and Spanoulis had 23 points on 5/8 three point shots, along with two rebounds, nine assist, one steal and also five turnovers. He did have strong competition by Curtis Jerrells of Besiktas and Bobby Brown of Siena, but winning at Milan made the difference.
- Marko Popovic: He stole the thunder of Juan Carlos Navarro who had also 21 points in the big win of Barcelona at Moscow (81-60).
- Devin Smith: Maccabi Tel Aviv toyed with fire at Berlin, but finally beat Alba 78-76 with this veteran American providing 20 points on 4/5 three pointers and three assist.
- Bostjan Nachbar: Sure he had just 1/6 three pointers, but also 19 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one turnover in the win over Partizan
- Miro Bilan: He was until now Cedevita’s best kept secret and he had a big game against Caja Laboral with 16 points and five rebounds.
The best losing performance: Blake Schilb
The leader of Chalon finally exploded in Euroleague, but his full stat line (24 p., 6 r., 4 as., 2 st.) could not save the French team from a home defeat by Unicaja Malaga (78-88). If he continues playing like this, then the champions of France, even with a 1-4 record can have a shot for a place in Top16.
The biggest win: Cantu
Playing without injured Jerry Smith, every one expected a heroic defeat by Cantu, but that wasn’t enough to coach Trinchieri’s team. The Italians beat Fenerbahce Ulker by 24 points and kept intact their hopes for a possible Top16 qualification. It was a true underdog story, a role fitting for Cantu.
The upset: Cedevita
Croatian champions got their ever win in Euroleague against one of the trademark teams of the competition, Caja Laboral. The final score was 76-69 and the importance of the result is evident in the standings of group C. Cedevita and Caja Laboral share the two last places with a 1-4 record and they are both in the hunt EA7 Armani Milan (2-3) in order tο gain the qualification to Τop16.
The disappointment: Partizan
Partizan has a young team that excited the imagination of every European fan before the start of the season, but until now the result is just flashes of big talent and after Friday’s home defeat by Brose Baskets a 0-5 record. Yes, the team from Belgrade is the only one without a win yet in Euroleague.
Underachiever: CSKA Moscow
In the long run of the season, maybe the 81-60 home defeat of CSKA Moscow by Barcelona will be forgotten. However, it will always remain in the record books as the worst loss of the Russian powerhouse. The previous one was against the team formally known as Tau Ceramika a.k.a. Caja Laboral in April 2002 (90-73).
The last word: Panathinaikos
Something is wrong in Athens and it’s more than obvious that the Greens are not the team they used to be. After the defeat by Khimki for the first time since…. last century there were boos by the home crowd at OAKA. Hilton Armstrong is certainly on his way out, but the question now is who else may follow him.
Euroleague 2012-2013 – 5th Day
|
Partizan mt:s |
Brose Baskets |
|
|
Union Olimpija |
||
|
Panathinaikos |
Khimki |
|
|
Asseco Prokom |
Siena |
|
|
Zalgiris |
||
|
Cedevita |
Caja Laboral |
|
|
Alba Berlin |
Maccabi Tel Aviv |
|
|
EA7 Milano |
||
|
Chalon |
Unicaja Malaga |
|
|
Pall. Cantu |
Fenerbahce |
|
|
Lietuvos Rytas |
Besiktas Milangaz |
|
|
CSKA Moscow |
F.C. Barcelona |