By Stelios Toromanidis/ info@eurohoops.net
Which are the teams that have kept their home court impenetrable in at least one competition? Eurohoops reveals the teams that have celebrated only wins at home.
The European leagues throughout the entire old continent are in full swing and the sample of games is already large enough for us to highlight the strongest home courts in Europe. The battle for a better place ahead of the upcoming playoffs that are going to decide the champion of each competition has flared up for good. One of the criteria that attests to a team’s successful course is defending the home court.
Looking at the nine biggest European championships (Turkey, Spain, VTB, Greece, Adriatic, Germany, France, Israel, Lithuania) as well as the Euroleague and the Eurocup, only eight teams have remained undefeated in at least one competition.
In theory, it might seem easy for a country’s monster clubs to keep their… fortress intact, but in reality it’s proven otherwise. Teams of enormous strength like Barcelona, Real, CSKA have already made some slip ups, while those that can brag about their undefeated home record are only a few. The latest “casualty” is Valencia, who were defeated at home by Real, putting an end to their undefeated run in the Spanish championship.
Buducnost
Competition: Adriatic League
Place: 1st
Home record: 12-0
One of the two representatives of Montenegro in the Adriatic League are having their best season in the competition. They’re at the top of the table, three points ahead of Crvena Zvezda, who are excelling in the Top 16 of the Euroleague. This year, coach Luka Pavisevic’s team hold the record of most wins in a tournament with 13 wins at home!
Most important win: 19/12/2015 Buducnost – Crvena Zvezda 68-54
In the context of the 15th week, Buducnost faced Crvena Zvezda while being one win ahead. After making an excellent start, they took the reins of the game and got a relatively easy win that gave them a significant advantage in view of what was to follow.
Monaco
Competition: French championship
Place: 1st
Home record: 10-0
The recent French Cup winners, Monaco, are the country’s rising power. Within two years they’ve been promoted from the third category (NM1) to the first (Pro A). Even though still newly promoted, they’re at the top of the table and are among the title contenders. But the biggest achievement of the team from the princedom/ principality is that, in perhaps Europe’s most unpredictable championship, so far they have managed to safeguard their home court.
Most important win: 10/10/2015 Monaco – Nanterre 83-81
In a championship where the table leaders are just two wins from the eight in ranking, every win is of major importance. Despite this, Monaco’s toughest home win came in the 3rd week against Nanterre.
Bamberg
Competition: German championship
Place: 1st
Home record: 11-0
Bamberg are making an impression with their image and their accomplishments so far, inside as well as outside German borders. As far as their course in the BBL, they’re fully in control of the situation, having a three-win lead ahead of second-place Bayern Munich, eleven turns before the end of the regular period. In addition, Bamberg are the only team with an intact home record, when Bayern and Oldenburg have one defeat each.
Most important win: 06/12/2015 Bamberg – Bayern Munich 100-87
The 11th week brought face to face the two teams that met each other in last year’s championships finals. After an exciting game that was unpredictable up until the last minutes, Bamberg, with Miller and Wanamaker their best players, got the win and took two points away from their great rivals.