Play offs: Real and CSKA to the Final Four

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

Game 5 are always won in Euroleague by the hosts and that tradition was honored one more season. CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid became the last two teams which got the ticket to the Final Four where the Russians will face Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Spaniards will play against their domestic arch-rivals, Barcelona.  We expect a more than great event, bigger than life games and here’s what happened in the last play offs night.

MVP

Sasha Kaun

He made the life of CSKA easy against one of the best defensive front lines in Europe. He was almost perfect with 18 points and 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and one turnover in 27 minutes of action. He is by far this season the most effective center of the Russians in the offensive end and he proved it in a more than crucial game.

Honorable mention

Felipe Reyes

The captain of Real Madrid needed just 20 minutes in order to be the key for the win of his team. He had 15 points on 5/8 shots, 5/5 free throws, 8 rebounds, five of them offensive, two assists and one turnover. He may not be as flashy as his teammates, but he is making the little things that matter the most.

Round up

CSKA Moscow obliged Panathinaikos in the worst defeat of the Greens’ European competitions history and cruised to the Game 5 win which sealed their return to the final four for the 10th time the last 11 seasons. In Madrid, defending back to back champions Olympiacos’ last stand was spectacular, but Real was better and qualified for Milan. The players celebrated the big win together with their fans (video).