The aftermath (EL 6th gameday)

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

Barcelona booked its ticket for the Top16 after the 86-66 win at Bamberg, but no one else is safe yet with the possible exception of CSKA Moscow. After the sixth gameday in Euroleague in Group A Real Madrid and Khimki are tied in first place (4-2), Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce/ Ulker follow (3-3) while both Olimpija and Cantu are still in the qualification game game (2-4).

In Group B Maccabi Tel Aviv and Malaga are also tied (5-1), Siena has the third place (3-3), Alba Berlin and Chalon (2-4) share the fourth spot and only Prokom is one step behind (1-5). In Group C Zalgiris Kaunas didn’t stay unbeaten (5-1), Anadolu Efes and Olympiacos are on its hunt (4-2), there is a tie in the fourth place between Milan and Cedevita (2-4) and Caja Laboral has only a 1-5 record. And in Group D, there is Barcelona (6-0) and CSKA Moscow (5-1), Besiktas has the advantage (3-3), but Brose Baskets (2-4), Partizan (1-5) and Lietuvos Rytas (1-5) can still hope.

Eurohoops MVP

Jaka Blazic

30 points against Cantu’s defense is quite a feat and the young Slovenian reminded everyone of an other Jaka (Lakovic) in the 81-79 win of Union Olimpija against Cantu. He shot 10/13 from the floor, he made the two winning free throws and he is also just 22 years old. The future is now for him and for Olimpija.

Best Five

1. Bobby Brown: For the third straight game he was the leader of Siena with 21 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds as his team won by a basket (75-73) at Berlin.
2. Jaka Blazic: A star is born…
3. Sasha Vujacic: “The machine” scored 17 points in the third quarter and led Anadolu Efes to the 77-71 win over EA7 Armani Milano. In total he had 29 points.
4. Mickael Gelabale: He was used 44 minutes, had just one turnover and a double double (23 p. 10 r.) as Cedevita managed to be the first Euroleague team that beat Zalgiris (108-106).
5. Stephane Lasme: He changed the defense of PAO BC for the better, won every battle against Madrid’s front line and had 15 points (5/5 2p., 5/6 1p.), 8 rebounds and two blocks in the 79-68 win

The best losing performance: Darjus Lavrivonic

In the epic game between Zalgiris Kaunas and Cedevita, Lavrinovic with 24 points and 5 rebounds was the guy pushing more than any other for the Lithuanians to stay undefeated. Also Deon Thompson had a monster game against Siena with 20 points and 8 rebounds, but it was not enough.

The biggest win: Unicaja Malaga

Let’s be honest. Nobody really likes the idea of Unicaja’s A license, but this season things may be different and that was proven at Nokia Arena with the win over previously unbeaten Maccabi Tel Aviv (64-62). Will Malaga justify its status this time? Only time would tell but what happened on Thursday was a good start.

The upset: Cedevita Zagreb

It was a game that will be remembered. Two overtimes, 214 points in total, the highest ever in Euroleague’s history, and finally the win of Cedevita over previously unbeaten Zalgiris Kaunas by a bucket (108-106). Only in the movies and also in Euroleague…

The disappointment: Caja Laboral

Caja is in a deep hole right now after the big win of Olympiacos (89-72) at Vitoria. There is no shame in a defeat to the defending champions, but this result could cost to the Basques the qualification to Top16. Even Cedevita has a better record than them and their future in Euroleague can be really short.

The underachiever: Real Madrid

The team that still is considered favorite to go all the way to the final four was absent at OAKA. Rudy finished the game with -1 ranking, PAO had more rebounds and less turnovers and only Carlos Suarez scored in double digits. The Greens deserve all the credit for their 79-68 win, but where was Real Madrid?

The last word: KC Rivers

Did the basket counted? The debate still goes on, even though the official reaction of Euroleague should straight things out for everybody about the game that Khimki won against McCalebb-less Fenerbahce 71-70.

Euroleague 2012-2013 – 6th Day