By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
Nobody likes change — until he gets used to it. It’s even better if it turns out to be such a worthy change. It was 2016 when the EuroLeague introduced the existing round-robin format with all teams playing against each other. It was also 2016 when they introduced double-round weeks five that first season due to the 16-team format, seven from 2019 with the increase to 18 teams, and eight for the first time this season.
There is no need to explain why they exist today, let alone in such high numbers. Adding them to the schedule initially offered much more than the obvious, namely the two games in a period of up to 72 hours. Besides the status of the teams, their current shape and injuries started to have more of an impact on the result, the element of unpredictability grew, and, long story short, things became even more exciting. Now, just as the teams immediately circle those weeks on the calendar and books plane tickets and hotels, EuroLeague fans circle them and book seats on what has become the ultimate roller coaster of emotions.
The most victories
Ten of the current 18 teams have experienced the double-round experiment from the beginning. Real Madrid boasts the most wins, 62 in 84 games. It also had the most double-round sweeps that first season, three, the same number as Panathinaikos. Unlike Real — which has the most Final Four appearances (5/6) and is tied for the most titles (2018, 2023) with Anadolu Efes (2021, 2022) — the last three difficult years have left Panathinaikos last among the 10 permanent teams in double-round victories. In fact, the Greens have the most losses overall of any teams in double-round weeks.
1. Real Madrid 62-22
2. Barcelona 54-30
3. Olympiakos 53-30
4. Anadolu Efes 48-36
-. Maccabi Tel Aviv 48-36
6. Fenerbahce 47-37
7. Baskonia 41-43
8. Zalgiris Kaunas 40-43
9. Armani Milano 39-44
10. Panathinaikos 37-46
* The difference in total games (83 or 84) is a result of the Russian teams ban in 2022
The highest winning rate
Although having the most victories does not guarantee it, Real Madrid is also the team with the highest winning percentage. “Devil weeks” turn out to be angelically created for Los Blancos, who are the only team with a winning rate above 70%. CSKA Moscow is next on the list, while six teams with a continuous presence in the league since 2016 also feature among the top 10. Coincidentally, the top 10 cuts off at a 50% win rate. Partizan has a place in it despite having only one season with double-round weeks.
1. Real Madrid 73.8% (62-22)
2. CSKA Moscow 67.6% (46-22)
3. Barcelona 64.3% (54-30)
4. Olympiacos 63.9% (53-30)
5. Monaco 60.7% (17-11)
6. Anadolu Efes 57.1% (48-36)
-. Maccabi Tel Aviv 57.1% (48-36)
8. Fenerbahce 56% (47-37)
9. Zenit St Petersburg 50% (18-18)
10. Partizan Belgrade 50% (7-7)
There are six teams with just one season in the league since 2016, and with the exception of Partizan, they’re pretty low on the list. Only the Serbs and Virtus Bologna can currently improve their numbers and position.
11. Baskonia 48.8% (41-43)
12. Zalgiris Kaunas 48.2% (40-43)
13. UNICS Kazan 47.6% (10-11)
14. Armani Milan 47% (39-44)
15. Panathinaikos 44.6% (37-46)
16. Valencia 44% (22-28)
17. Bayern Munich 42.9% (27-36)
18. Unicaja 40% (4-6)
19. Crvena Zvezda 37% (27-46)
20. Virtus Bologna 35.7% (5-9)
At the bottom of the list for both victories and winning percentage are Buducnost and Gran Canaria, who played just one EuroLeague season in 2018-19, but did not play each other in any double-round week. Otherwise, one of the two would have more than just two wins and a 20% winning percentage.
And if they can’t do anything to get off the last spot on the list, not even ALBA Berlin can “help” them. Even in the near-impossible scenario of ALBA going 0-16 in double rounds this season, the winning percentage of the German club cannot fall below 20%.
21. Darussafaka 35% (7-13)
22. Khimki 34.8% (16-30)
23. LDLC ASVEL 30.2% (16-37)
24. Bamberg 30% (6-14)
-. Galatasaray 30% (3-7)
26. ALBA Berlin 25.9% (14-40)
27. Buducnost 20% (2-8)
-. Gran Canaria 20% (2-8)