Tough game for FC Barcelona against Panathinaikos
Tomorrow evening, FC Barcelona will host Panathinaikos Athens in the Palau Blaugrana in a game that counts for Round 36 of the current EuroLeague season. It will be a crucial game for both teams, as they are currently tied for 7th place in the standings with only 3 rounds to play in the regular season. The winner of the game will have high hopes of leaving the play-in spot and squeeze in the first 6, which means a direct qualification to the playoffs, while the losing side will be in a must-win situation in the last two rounds, as even missing the playoffs could be a possibility.
Barcelona had a rollercoaster season: they made a coaching change in November when Joan Penarroya was replaced, and Xavi Pascual returned to his old team. Barca won 6 of the first 7 games with coach Pascual in the EuroLeague, but then again alternated good games with bad ones. There are many uncertainties with the roster, too, as reportedly many changes will come in the summer. Still, Barca is a big team that has a great roster and a great coach too and with a strong push now at the end of the season, the blaugrana fans can hope for a Final Four appearance. Last week, they lost in Kaunas against Zalgiris, which is one of their direct rivals for a playoff spot, so now they really need a home win against Panathinaikos.
PAO is tied with Barca with a 20-15 record, and it’s been mostly a disappointing season so far for the Greek fans. The Final Four will take place at the OAKA, and with the star-studded roster that they have, it would be a huge upset if coach Ataman’s team does not play there (many fans would agree that PAO has the most talented roster and they are the biggest favourites to win the trophy in May). Just like Barca, the Greeks lost in the last round in the EuroLeague against Hapoel Tel Aviv, and they need to win their remaining games to have a hope of avoiding a play-in series.
Imre Halasz
Photo: FCB
