The old guard stands tall in the Basketball Champions League
There will be one fresh face at the Basketball Champions League Final Four. Indeed, it’s a new venue. Yet the season will climax with clubs that have long been part of the competition battling for the big prize in Badalona.
Oh what a difference a couple of months make. When the round of 16 got under way, it was the new arrivals that were making waves in the Basketball Champions League. Now, with the Final Four in Badalona set, we’ve got a string of familiar faces. One of them however is likely to feel like it’s playing with house money.
Farewell but thanks
When the groups for the Top 16 were decided, things looked favourable for all three of the big newcomers. It was reasonable to expect that at least one, and probably two, of Alba Berlin, Joventut Badalona, and Dreamland Gran Canaria would make it to the final weekend.
Of course, Gran Canaria didn’t even make it out of the group. I was on the call for the St Patrick’s Day miracle as ERA Nymburk pulled off an extraordinary result to advance. Alba and Joventut meanwhile both failed to top their groups, meaning no home court in the playoffs.
Alba fought gamely while being swept by defending back-to-back champions Unicaja Malaga. Joventut Badalona were leading late in Game 3 in Athens on Wednesday only to fall to a furious comeback from AEK Athens. All three exited but all three also really added to the competitive balance this campaign.
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Never count out Malaga in springtime
Unicaja Malaga came into the playoffs without the ludicrous run across competitions that they rode a year ago. As defending champions of the Copa del Rey, they exited in the quarter final to Real Madrid. Their ACB campaign is still quite good but not at the rocket ship of last season.
Yet Ibon Navarro just knows how to win in this competition. After stumbling early in the Round of 16, his side rebounded to secure home court. They then took care of business against a good Alba Berlin to book their fourth consecutive trip to the Basketball Champions League Final Four.
While they were overwhelming favourites in each of the previous three, they’ll arrive in Badalona confident but not seeming invincible. That will suit them just fine. Let Tenerife, AEK, and Rytas Vilnius come in feeling capable.
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That’s right, Rytas Vilnius baby
If you like seeing a horde of shirtless Baltic men going absolutely wild for a full game, have I got what you need. Since joining the competition, Rytas Vilnius have been super reliable for delivering dramatic games.
Their fans are legendary but this club’s ability to nearly induce coronaries is also right up there. Having just completed a threepeat in the Youth BCL, they finally have a place at the top table of the Basketball Champions League.
They’ll get a shot at Tenerife, who are two time champions and (like Malaga) in their fourth straight Final Four. Badalona is going to be fun. That the breakthrough side this season came from a regular club is a nice flourish.
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