Can U-Banca Transilvania eliminate also Bahcesehir?
The EuroCup quarterfinals start today with two exciting matchups and the single-game elimination format that exists in the EuroCup adds to the excitement. The first game to be played will be the one between Bahcesehir Istanbul and U-BT Cluj-Napoca, and we can expect a hard-fought battle. As the Turkish team finished higher in the regular season standings, they will host the game in the Sinan Erdem Dome, which could be a decisive factor.
The two teams were in the same group in the regular season, so they already played each other twice. The first game was played in the BT Arena in Cluj in the 1st round of the season in October, and it was a close battle with the two teams going head to head as U-BT entered the 4th quarter with a one-point lead. However, Bahcesehir had a strong 4th quarter that they won by 9 points, and the game ended 98-90 for the visitors. Malachi Flynn was the top scorer of that game with 24 points. The second meeting between the two teams was in December in Istanbul, and just like in the first game, U-BT was leading after three quarters, this time by 6 points, but again the Turkish team made a great run in the last quarter, which they won 28-10 and the game ended with an 84-72 win for the home team. This time, Trevion Williams was the top scorer of the game with 22 points.
Bahcesehir ended up finishing the EuroCup group in 2nd place, so they qualified directly to the quarterfinals, while U-BT had to play an Eight-final game against Buducnost in Podgorica, so it was not an easy task for the Romanian team. However, the black and whites managed to control the game from the beginning till the end, and they won 100-82. Iverson Molinar was the star of this game with 34 points, followed by Daron Russell and Mitch Creek.
As the winners of both direct games so far this season and as the home team, Bahcesehir is the favourite to advance. The team from Istanbul had a great roster for a EuroCup team, and they are a top 3 title contender in the competition. However, just like in the first two matchups, we can expect a close game, and if U-BT can maintain the rhythm for the full four quarters, they will have a chance to win.
Gratian Cormos
Photo credit: EuroLeague
