The first game of the playoff is always tricky: Barça – Zenit

Many bettors and fans thought that FC Barcelona will march triumphantly over Zenit Sankt-Petersburg but the result was totally different. That Zenit which I qualified as a very good Eurocup team stole the win on the court of the main title contender. Why did it happen?

First of all, you have to understand the particularity of game 1 of the playoff series. It doesn’t have the same importance for the big favourite and for the underdog. If Barca needed the win they have won it yesterday. But they don’t need it. They will fix the loss in the next encounters eliminating without a doubt the Russian squad.

The visitors were more motivated. Not coincidentally Kevin Pangos did a fantastic game, being the engine of the victory. He was a Blaugrana and also a Zalgiris player in the past and he wanted to show his skills to his ex-team and ex-coach. Then Will Thomas played in Spain, while K. C. Rivers was Euroleague champion with Real Madrid. So for these players, the determination was huge.

I am sure as well that the Catalan coach Xavi Pascual, Euroleague champion with FC Barcelona prepared with extra motivation this game against his former beloved club.

So the best thing was not betting on Barca at the ridiculous odd at 1.16 but waiting the halftime when I chose Barca to win the 3rd quarter with a small margin and to reach the first 20 points scored in the second period. Definitely, FC Barcelona had to cut the deficit after the break. They had also the possibility to win the game but it doesn’t matter. Barca will advance anyway to the Euroleague Final 4.

Image: EuroLeague