By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Let’s take a look at the 2017 champions across Europe for the past season, based on Eurohoops’ domestic league rankings. 10 championships, 10 winners. Who were they?
Spain – Liga Endesa
Champion: Valencia Basket
Valencia‘s rise in the ACB League was astonishing the previous season. Not only did they make tο the playoffs, but also managed to take Real Madrid down from their throne.
Turkey – BSL
Champion: Fenerbahce
What a successful year it has been for Fenerbahce! First EuroLeague, then the Turkish Championship, with a dream-team! The champions’ Bogdan Bogdanovic was awarded with the MVP honor before taking the next step of his career, which led him to the NBA.
VTB League
Champion: CSKA Moscow
CSKA swept Khimki Moscow in the finals with 3-0, with Nando De Colo winning the playoffs MVP honor. Still, who could forget Alexey Shved’s incredible season which earned him the league MVP award for the 2016-2017 season.
The Army Team sealed their 6th straight VTB League title.
Germany – BBL
Champion: Brose Bamberg
Brose Bamberg won its 9th title in Germany with a sweep over EWE Baskets in the finals, coming off from the second place in the overall standings in the regular season (behind Ulm that finished 4th).
Italy – Legabasket
Champion: Reyer Venezia
It’s been 74 long years for Venezia, yet the team managed to come back victorious with a breakthrough season, after taking down Trento in the finals. Surprisingly, Olimpia Milano stayed out from the finals’ race, as the 2016-17 runner-ups won the series 4-1.
France – ProA
Champion: Élan Chalon
Chalon reached its second title overall in the French League with a huge victory in the 5th final against SIG Strasbourg. The team’s first championship counts five years back (2011-12).
Greece – HEBA
Champion: Panathinaikos
After a tough series against Olympiacos, the Greens managed to turn the tide in their favor and defended their title in Greece. Panathinaikos also won the Greek Cup final against Aris Thessaloniki, which marked a successful season in terms of domestic activities.
Israel – Winner’s League
Champion: Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel overcame Maccabi Rishon in the Winner League Final Four semifinal and managed to beat Maccabi Haifa in the final with 83-76, sealing off their second title (first one was in 2015).
Adriatic League – ABA
Champion: Crvena Zvezda
The Red and White squad defended their title in the Adriatic League for the third time straight, through sweeping Cedevita in the finals with a perfect 3-0 run. Zvezda’s Charles Jenkins, who put on outstanding performances in the title games, was named MVP of the Finals.
Lithuania – LKL
Champion: Zalgiris Kaunas
Zalgiris won its 7th consecutive LKL League championship (and 20th overall) after taking down Lietkabelis in the final series with a 4-1 streak.