By Stelios Toromanidis / info@eurohoops.net
Which are the most exciting playoff series in the modern history of the EuroLeague (2001-today)? Which of them decided to a great extent the subsequent trophy winners? Eurohoops takes you back in time and reminds you of some thrilling moments of the past.
Since 2001, the year the EuroLeague in its current form came into our lives, the format of the competition has changed several times with the aim of improving the product. The quarterfinal stage came into the project from the 2004-05 season onwards. Initially, it was in the form of a best of 3 series, while from 2009 until today the series became a best of 5.
Including last season, 52 playoff series have taken place in which 15 different teams have secured the qualification for the Final Four. Eurohoops chose the Top 10 series based on their exciting development as well as the degree of difficulty for the teams that eventually emerged victoriously.
Sit back and start the countdown, for you older ones to remember and you younger ones to learn.
Season: 2005-06
Results: 84-72, 79-85, 71-74
Laboral Kutxa were in the best shape in their history and with players like Scola, Splitter, Hansen, Erdogan and Prigioni, they went up against Panathinaikos who had the home court advantage. The Greens’ roster (Spanoulis, Diamantidis, Alvertis, Tomasevic) gave them a slight advantage for the qualification. The first two games went by with wins for the home team and so the third game is the one that decided the outcome of the series.
The most important game: Panathinaikos-Baskonia 71-74 (Game 3)
In the first half, the Basques were dominating the game and at half time they were up 42-36. The Greens’ counterattack came in the third quarter, which ended with the home team being ahead 53-52. Until the finale, the teams were close in the score. With two free throws, Erdogan gave Laboral a four-point advantage (74-70), Diamantidis made a free throw (74-71) and Alvertis missed the three-pointer that would have sent the game into overtime. This is how the Basques qualified for the Final Four for the second consecutive season.
Series MVP: Serkan Erdogan (13.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 11 PIR)
The Turkish guard was the best player of Game 3 and, in fact, he made the two crucial free throws that in the end gave his team the qualification.
Season: 2006-07
Playoff series: Malaga-Barcelona 2-1
Results: 91-75, 58-80, 67-64
With Sergio Scariolo on their bench, Malaga had their best run in Europe, which included their only – so far – qualification to a Final Four. In the elimination games they knocked out Barcelona in a series of amazing suspense.
The most important game: Malaga-Barcelona 67-64 (Game 3)
Malaga got the historic qualification in a full Martin Carpena. It was a close game up to the final seconds. The hero of the game was Pepe Sanchez who demolished the Catalans’ dreams for a victory with his three-pointer 7 seconds before the end, while Marcus Brown delivered the final blow from the free throw line.
Series MVP: Marko Tusek (8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 12.7 PIR)
The Slovenian forward carried the team offensively in the two away games that got the Andalusians the qualification.
