By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Two great pairings will meet this Friday, May 3rd in the BCL Antwerp Final Four semis with only one quest: the final.
Segafredo Virtus Bologna faces Brose Bamberg while 2016-17 champions Iberostar Tenerife take over hosts Telenet Giants Antwerp. In the end, only one team will stay standing and win the BCL crown. Will it be a repeat for Tenerife? Can the hosts complete their fairytale season by becoming the first Belgian team to win a European title? Is Bamberg ready to go all the way in their first season in the league? Or the old empire of Virtus will strike back?
Segafredo Virtus Bologna vs. Brose Bamberg
Virtus Bologna under the guidance of Sasa Djordjevic has been the surprise of the season so far. A decade after their 2009 success at the FIBA EuroChallenge, Virtus Bologna is back to the elite zone with its participation in the Final Four.
The Italians are fully equipped and ready to fight Brose Bamberg with Kevin Punter as their leader. Punter has scored 659 points, the most among all players in BCL history, with an average of 15.1 points per game in the current campaign. They also lead all Final Four teams in shot blocking – they decline over 7% of their opponents’ shots, per BCL. They also lead the Final Four – and the Basketball Champions League overall – in steals. Not too shabby!
On the other hand, we have Brose Bamberg, a well-rounded team that is looking for its first BCL success after spending several seasons in EuroLeague in the past.
Brose Bamberg rushes into the Final Four with big hopes – they have already won their first title of the season, the German Cup against EuroCup runner-ups Alba Berlin, earlier this season. Thus, they are seeking their first continental title against a strong opponent such as Virtus Bologna and the battle is meant to be intense.
Bamberg, paced by -most likely- the MVP of the season, Tyrese Rice and veteran guard Nikos Zisis can hope for a place in the finals if they can overcome Punter and co.