Pinar Karsiaka to win by a comfortable margin vs. Donar Groningen
Pinar Karsiaka to win by a comfortable margin vs. Donar Groningen
The Fiba rankings published a couple of days ago gave Pinar Karsiaka as the favourite to win Fiba Europe Cup this season. But you don’t need that to see the great value of this squad. Months ago I wrote already about them because I saw them since the beginning of the summer as a rising power who will surprise many teams both in the European and in the Turkish league.
Last week they have lost the opening round of the Fiba Europe Cup in Belgium, at Spirou Charleroi but this doesn’t change my perception. Great teams don’t win all the games, they win when it’s important to do it. In spite of that loss, I am sure Pinar will reach out from this group and the process starts today when they will face Donar Groningen.
The Turkish team is superior in any chapter. Their roster is much better and let’s not forget they are unbeaten in one of the strongest domestic league in Europe. Tony Taylor, Amath M’Baye, D.J. Kennedy, Brandon Triche and Jordan Morgan are the amazing foreigners of Pinar Karsiaka, who will be helped by the local players, James Metecan Birsen, Semih Erden, Nusret Yildirim and Yunus Sonsirna. Their quality rotation is big and coach Ufuk Sarica very clever.
On the other side, Donar Groningen is a decent team, with an average level for this competition. In the first round of Fiba Europe Cup, they have beaten Brussels with a small margin, but this doesn’t mean much because the Belgian team is not a great competitor.
The odd on the victory for Pinar Karsiaka is very small, that’s why I find value on the handicap -10.5/-11.5 and even more. Let’s remember that already Pinar has smashed without any difficulties Bandirma and Gaziantep, Turkish clubs involved in BasketballCL, with a roster superior to Donar.
Photo: Fiba Europe Cup
Gratian Cormos
