After 13 season, the Spanish league’s Finals could be without FC Barcelona or Real Madrid
If both Euroleague and the Spanish Liga ACB would resume with their final act in July, the archrivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid could miss the domestic league, being involved only in the fight for the European title. The Catalan club announced already that they will prefer to play the Euroleague instead of the domestic league’s playoff. Probably Real Madrid will do the same, giving space to other clubs to hope for the trophy in Spain. Who could then, in this scenario, win the Iberic championship? It could be the only final in 14 years where neither FC Barcelona nor Real Madrid would be on the court.
First of all, the Spanish league is the most balanced in Europe and that’s why any team involved in the battle for a playoff spot have a chance. But realistically speaking let’s analyze the changes of each team if Barca and Real Madrid will be out because of choosing the Euroleague.
Casademont Zaragoza had a big season and they are currently on the 3rd spot, but they released these days Jason Thompson and DJ Seeley. Anyway, also without them the team is looking good with many offensive weapons.
Iberostar Tenerife, Gran Canaria or MoraBanc Andorra could have an important home-court advantage if the league will play the remaining games in the Canarian islands or in Andorra.
Bilbao Basket had a great season since they beat both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, but they are not so solid to win the entire playoff. The same situation with San Pablo Burgos, a title contender in Basketball Champions League but with almost no chance to win Liga ACB, even in the absence of the main favourites.
Unicaja Malaga or Baskonia could be the nice surprises of the playoffs, both teams having a large roster and the necessary experience, but it remains to be seen how focused will they remain for the next games.
Valencia Basket is the main favourite to win the Spanish league in the absence of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Till now they fought a lot for a spot in the Euroleague’s playoff and if they won’t enter there, all their huge potential will be concentrate for the domestic league. Let’s not forget they had enormous games this season eliminating FC Barcelona from the Spanish Cup, destroying Baskonia with 105-77 in the Euroleague and so on.
Photo: Euroleague
Angel Jimenez
