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.
Iberostar Tenerife vs. Telenet Giants Antwerp
The first ever BCL champions and hosts of the league’s 2017 Final Four are looking to repeat their success, this time in foreign territory and against this year’s hosts Antwerp in the semifinal.
A lot has changed since the 2017 success for the Spanish side. Final Four MVP Marius Grigonis moved to Alba Berlin, Aaron Doornekamp moved to Valencia, Georgios Bogris joined Olympiacos, while coach Txus Vidorreta also joined Doornekamp in Valencia. That being said, the 2019 Final Four squad carries the weight, and remains mostly intact, though we can’t say it’s the same team.
Tenerife’s challenge is big this time around. They will have to outdo Telenet Giants for a spot in the final, and that will be a tough job.
The Belgian team is going through its best season ever and will have to live up to its crowd’s expectations as the hosts of the 2019 Final Four.
It was a long road to this point, and its presence in the big happening could be redeemed as success on its own. From the first qualifying round to the best four teams of the competition – that is pretty impressive!
Statistically, this Antwerp team has been strongest in three categories per BCL. They rank second amongst the Final Four teams for rebound percentage, steals, and three-point shooting. The Giants hoover up 51% of all available rebounds, collect seven steals each contest and shoot over 35% from deep. The Giants are also the second-best team in the Final Four for shot-blocking, erasing over 7% of their opponents’ shots.
An interesting note to keep in mind before the semifinals tip off: The host team has 100% success in winning the BCL title so far. Tenerife and AEK did it, and Antwerp will look to repeat this success!
Photo credit: BCL