Things don't look to have changed dramatically. We have entered the second round of the first stage, leading to the top 16, and the picture seems to be more or less the same. Only three teams are unbeaten : Real Madrid, Olympiakos Piraeus, Fener-Ulker. They look indeed one step ahead.
But what happens with the other potential candidates ? Well, Barcelona is heating up. After a poor start, (time is always essential for the newcomers to be assimilated into the team's philosophy) things look better. A big challenge for the Catalunian club, will be Friday's game against Fener.
On the other hand, Cska Moscow, although seeming improving,still appears with a lack of coherence.
To my eye, playmaker Milos Teodosic, is the main reason behind all above.
Coming to traditional powers like Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, unfortunately it doesn't look bright.. Panathinaikos has "depth" as a team, but the age of many players, combined with the lack of experience of the younger ones, doesn't leave much room for optimism.Their strong card remains although their good defence (to the...limits).
Maccabi's problems start and finish to the poor roster.
Coming to the clubs with the best performance so far, Real Madrid and their extremely offencive game, due to the skills of their playmakers, to give a frenzy beat during the game, seems enough to look ahead. At stake is, if the big guys can match the quality of their guards.. Fener, with a smaller budget (compared with last year's), has replaced practically the whole team. It seems that everything is working like a clock.Big challenges are the upcoming games versus Barcelona and Cska (both out of home).
I saved the best momentum team and uber favourites for a 3d consecutive year championship,for the end. Olympiakos ! Either leading the score, or twenty points behind..you have a feeling that this team hates to lose...Coincidence ? I don't think so..Tired to win ? Not the case. I'll try to give an explanation : What exactly makes this team so special ?
The answer, to my understanding, is a "key word"; PRINCIPLES ! Let's start with the heads and owners of the club, Angelopoulos brothers. After a long and costly effort of nearly a decade, experiments with the wrong coaches and players (some of them big stars), they finally made it.
After an unlucky 2010 final versus the "big" name of the season, Barcelona in Paris, it seems that lost final, gave them the inspiration for a great comeback. They decided to change their approach towards the roster in 2011, using a lower but "not cheaper" budget, betting on young inexperienced players, under the wise guidance of coach Ivcovic. As a reward to their efforts, came the epic victory of Olympiakos, at the Constantinople's final against the Russian superpower Cska, in 2012. Things had taken their way...A glorious "repeat", under the serious new coach of the team, George Bartzokas followed in the final of London, in May 2013 ! The recipe, always obvious: Young, ambitious promising players, ready to play for the team and through it, make a career. Ownership and manager,
co-operated perfectly and still do. No exaggeration in expenses, replacement of good players who left the club by others equally good, the new coach looks a master in scouting. The results till now, seem to justify everybody. As a PRINCIPLE, nobody is "above" the club. Even the precious J.Dorsey expelled by the club back in 2012 (don't get upset G, he is seeking for a revenge, but he will be fouled out.
After an unlucky 2010 final versus the "big" name of the season, Barcelona in Paris, it seems that lost final, gave them the inspiration for a great comeback. They decided to change their approach towards the roster in 2011, using a lower but "not cheaper" budget, betting on young inexperienced players, under the wise guidance of coach Ivcovic. As a reward to their efforts, came the epic victory of Olympiakos, at the Constantinople's final against the Russian superpower Cska, in 2012. Things had taken their way...A glorious "repeat", under the serious new coach of the team, George Bartzokas followed in the final of London, in May 2013 ! The recipe, always obvious: Young, ambitious promising players, ready to play for the team and through it, make a career. Ownership and manager,
co-operated perfectly and still do. No exaggeration in expenses, replacement of good players who left the club by others equally good, the new coach looks a master in scouting. The results till now, seem to justify everybody. As a PRINCIPLE, nobody is "above" the club. Even the precious J.Dorsey expelled by the club back in 2012 (don't get upset G, he is seeking for a revenge, but he will be fouled out.
From the first half, if Olympiakos crosses with Barca....). The blogger has watched carefully how the brothers(always accompanied by their wives and their loyal collaborator and top executive in their business G.Skindilias), are following closely,the team's efforts. I have to say, those guys love their job, love their team but above all , love the sport of Basket Ball ! Sometimes, looking at them, I have the impression they are dreaming they are players of the team....ready to be activated, if needed !!
Incredible......
