Can Buducnost play with motivation against Galatasaray?
Since 2 rounds ago, each encounter in Eurocup is a ‘do-or-die’ for Buducnost. They cannot afford to lose any game after the ridiculous start of their European campaign. They have lost the first 6 games in the Eurocup, including 3 home-games with a minimum margin (59-62 vs. Arka Gdynia, 83-85 vs. Oldenburg and 81-82 vs. Unicaja Malaga). If we add the game lost away at Galatasaray with 84-83, then we have the complete picture of the disaster.
But it looks that Buducnost has started a new path, winning at Dolomiti Energia Trento and then destroying Arka Gdynia in Poland. Recently they added Sean Kilpatrick, former NBA player that can do a lot at this level. It remains to see if the entire Montenegro team will find the motivation to overcome today the visitors from Turkey. Galatasaray is already qualified for the next stage, the Top 16 of the Eurocup so, I expect them to play decently, but not to fight desperately to win. They have lost recently their main point guard Lazeric Jones for a couple of weeks. In the same time, the Turkish club parted ways with Ben Moore, but they added in his place another American forward, Alex Poythress with a bit of NBA experience.
Normally, Buducnost has to win the game. They have the entire roster available and it is the right moment for them. With this victory, they can maintain their hopes alive, but if they lose, they are out of the Eurocup, because in the other encounter, the 2 direct competitors for the last spot available in the group, Dolomiti Energia Trento and Arka Gdynia will fight. One of these 2 teams will accumulate 4 wins, that’s why Buducnost hast to win too.
The only problem is the motivation because as we saw in the game lost against Arka Gdynia a couple of weeks ago, Buducnost can disappoint a lot at this chapter. Let’s hope that Buducnost will have respect for basketball and for the fans, playing with all their heart for the win.
Photo: Eurocup
Gratian Cormos
