Exciting clashes in the openings of the Eurocup playoffs
The 7DAYS EuroCup has reached the stage of the Playoffs, which will be played in a single-match knockout system, with the hosts being the teams ranked 1-4 in each group. Let’s see the clashes!
Prometey Slobozhanske vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg
The Ukrainians, the winners of group A will receive the visit of Hamburg, the 8th-place team in group B, the match will be played in Latvia, where the Ukrainians play their home matches. Prometey finished the season as the 2nd offense team with 88.5 ppg, and Hamburg was in 13th place with 81.8 ppg. The hosts finished the group 8-1 at home, the Germans managing only 2 victories in 9 away matches. Players to watch: Caleb Agada (Prometey) 15.4 ppg, 3.8 reb, 3.9 ast and Yoeli Childs (Hamburg) 14.1 ppg, 8.9 reb.
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Paris Basketball
In Panevezys, the match will be played between the 4th place in group A, Lietkabelis 7-2 home record and the 5th place in group B, Paris 5-4 in away matches. Statistically, the guests look much better: 2nd place (39.8) in rebounds vs. 8th place (35.3); 2nd place in performance rating (99.2) vs 16th place (84.2); 1st place in blocks (3.8) vs. 17th place (1.8). Players to watch: Gediminas Orelik (Lietkabelis) 13.8 ppg, 3.8 reb, 2.1 ast and Tyrone Wallace 15.7 ppg, 3.8 reb, 4.6 ast.
Ratiopharm Ulm vs. Buducnost Podgorica
Ulm, the 3rd place in group A will try to take advantage of their home ground and eliminate the 6th place in group B, Buducnost. The Germans finished the season with a home record of 6-3, Buducnost having a 4-5 away record. Both teams have a fairly balanced for-against points record; Ulm has 84.4-84.4 and Buducnost 78.7-76.2. The guests will try to take advantage of the fact that they are the 3rd in the number of rebounds 39.0 vs 34.2 Ulm. Players to watch: Yago Dos Santos (Ulm) 12.7 ppg, 3.0 reb, 6.1 ast and Alpha Kaba 10.1 ppg, 10.5 reb.
Joventut Badalona vs. London Lions
The former champion and the team in 2nd place in group A, Joventut will meet the newcomer and the 7th place in group B, London Lions. The Spaniards finished the season with a home record of 8-1 and will try to take advantage of their superior experience and eliminate the British, who have a 5-4 away record. Players to watch: Ante Tomic (Joventut) 13.2 ppg, 5.3 reb, 3.4 ast and Sam Dekker (London Lions) 18.9 ppg, 5.9 reb, 3.0 ast.
Hapoel Vegan-Friendly Tel Aviv vs. Umana Reyer Venezia
Hapoel Tel Aviv, 3rd place in group B will try to defend their home-field advantage in Shlomo Group Arena against one of the most experienced teams in the competition, 6th place in group A, Reyer Venice. Hapoel finished the group with an 8-1 home record, the Italians having a 3-6 away record. Venezia will have an extremely difficult mission against the team that leads the competition in several categories: Performance Index Rating, Points, Defensive rebounds, Total rebounds and Assists. Players to watch: Xavier Munford (Hapoel) 15.4 ppg, 3.5 reb, 3.6 ast and Mitchell Watt 12.9 ppg, 5.1 reb.
Promitheas Patras vs JL Bourg en Bresse
A duel between two teams without much European experience takes place in Greece. The 4th place in group B with a 6-3 home record will meet Bourg, 5th place in the group with a 5-4 away record. The Greeks are superior to the French in only in two categories: Free throw % 77.4-73.4 and Steals 7.6-7.4, so the French have a good chance to qualify. Players to watch: Arnoldas Kulboka (Promitheas) 14.9 ppg, 6.1 reb and James Palmer 16.2 ppg, 4.1 reb, 2.2 ast.
Gran Canaria vs. Fruit Extra Bursaspor
Former runner-up Gran Canaria, the best team record this season in the competition continues its mission to win the trophy against Bursaspor, 8th place in group A. The Spaniards will play the entire tournament only at home where they have 9-0, the Turks being away only 2-7. It will be the 4th duel between them in the last 3 years, all games being won by Gran Canaria scoring at least 85 points each time. Players to watch: John Shurna (Gran Canaria) 11.1 ppg, 3.9 reb and Onuralp Bitim (Bursaspor) 17.9 ppg, 3.7 reb, 3.4 ast.
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Germani Brescia
The Turks, the 2nd place in group B will be encouraged again by at least 6000 fans and will try to eliminate the 7th place in group A, Brescia. Turk finished the season with a home record of 7-2, the Italians having a 3-6 away record. The hosts are superior to the Italians in the most important categories: Performance Index, Points, Rebounds, Assists and Steals. Players to watch: Jerian Grant (Turk Telekom) 14.6 ppg, 3.1 reb, 6.2 ast and Amedeo Della Valle 14.6 ppg, 4.6 last.
Valentin Petruta
Photo credit: Eurocup
