Can Holon make the surprise vs. Tenerife?
The first game of the Basketball Champions League Final Four in Bilbao will be played between Lenovo Tenerife and Hapoel U-Net Holon.
The Spanish squad is considered by most people to be the favourite to lift the trophy at the end of the Final Four. As a club, they already won the competition in 2017 and played another final in 2019. Also, the team has some players with experience at the highest level, like ex-NBA guard Marcelinho Huertas, EuroLeague veteran Giorgi Shermadini, EuroCup champion Aaron Doornekamp, Kyle Wiltjer or sharpshooter Sasu Salin. The club’s experience is huge in a Final Four but this is not their only advantage. Lenovo Tenerife won its last 9 games in the BCL and they are also doing great in the ACB League, the most powerful domestic league in Europe.
On the other side, Hapoel Holon is playing its first BCL Final Four and the first for any Israeli team in this competition. They have some quality American players, like Joe Ragland, Tyrus McGee, Michale Kyser or Chris Johnson, to mention just a few, and also experienced Israeli small forward Guy Pnini, one of the most clutch players in the BCL, who can hit a three-pointer or make some great plays in decisive moments. Another important detail is that Hapoel Holon improved a lot their game and also their roster since the competition started and they have the power to take down any team in the Basketball Champions League.
Final Four formats usually offer many surprises, that’s why a brave team like Hapoel Holon has its chance to advance to the final. However, Lenovo Tenerife is an experienced team and the tournament is played in Spain, so the team from Canary Island is more used to the arena and the environment.
Imre Halasz
Image credit: Basketball Champions League
